Background to Unit
The content and activities within this unit examines in detail the theme of transport. The unit has been designed to support the geography curriculum, particularly the requirement that pupils develop an understanding of transport and communications, forms of transport and transport routes. A major theme within the geography strand unit Transport and Communications is that children understand that transport links people and places with other areas and that people make journeys from place to place.
The unit helps children to consider different types of transport by exploring examples taken from familiar and unfamiliar settings. Children will study different categories of transport such as rail, road, air and sea transport. The activities place an emphasis on learning geographic skills and concepts through active engagement with the material presented.
The topic connects with the Transport History unit for third and fourth which traces the development of transport over time. The activities outlined in this unit on transport can be used as a framework for a study of transport in any locality. An example of a case study of transport for a locality has also been devised within the Transport Leixlip unit on the Ask About Ireland site for this age level. Primarily this unit on transport will help pupils to identify modes of transport and means of communication. There is also useful information and activities on journeys to school in My School Geography for 5th and 6th class level.
There are Suggestions for Teaching and an exemplar lesson in the final section of these teacher guidelines. These along with notes under Development of a unit of work provide extensive examples of activities which can be done in geography in relation to the transport. There are also suggestions for integration.