Water in the valley: Stage 1

People and places

Focus

In this teaching resource, students in Stage 1 can use inquiry skills and a variety of geographical tools to develop understanding of the features of places and the connections people have with places in the context of flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. At personal, local and regional scales, students investigate: 

• The properties of rainwater and flooding, 
• The features of places affected by flooding,  
• The effects of flooding on access to places, and
• The ways in which the community should prepare for and respond to floods.  

There are three learning sequences, each containing three or four teaching and learning activities that support Stage 1 geography syllabus outcomes. 

Geography K-10 syllabus outcomes 

• GE1-1 describes features of places and the connections people have with places 
• GE1-3 communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools for inquiry

Aims and focus of the project

This resource is part of a broader program to engage young people and to empower them to be part of an aware, prepared and responsive community. It is designed to help teachers, students and schools understand the flood risk, develop strategies in preparation for hazards and to build resilience.

The aim is to provide teachers and schools with a free online resource that would become a key component of the Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) Geography Syllabus in NSW. Although specifically considering the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, the resource aims to add value and support learning for schools across the state and perhaps the country. Flooding is a significant event in the Australian landscape. The project’s aims have wide relevance:

• Increasing students’ knowledge of and familiarity with geographical terms
• Raising awareness and understanding of flood risk
• Developing practical strategies for managing flood hazards and, most importantly,
• Doing this from a positive aspect that builds resilience and coping mechanisms.

Teacher resources

Related information