Page 214 - THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | Canadian and World Studies

Grade 12, University/College Preparation
Overall Expectations and Related Concepts of Geographic Thinking
Big Ideas*
Framing Questions*
B. Spatial Organization of Ecumenes
B1. Increasing Liveability: assess the liveability of ecumenes in Canada and other parts of the world, and analyse factors that influence liveability (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Patterns and Trends)
We need to support and maintain the development of liveable communities .
What makes a community liveable?
How might individuals’ criteria for liveability vary depending on their values, beliefs, and ideas?
Why might some people and groups not support development within a community?
Is land-use distribution and classification similar throughout the world?
B2. Processes that Shape Ecumenes: describe interrelationships between the environmental, social, economic, and political processes that shape ecumenes (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Interrelationships)
Many local, national, and international factors have an impact on the growth and development of communities .
B3. Understanding Ecumenes: describe the spatial distribution of land use in human settlements according to selected theories (FOCUS ON: Patterns and Trends; Interrelationships)
Land-use patterns
and trends can help
us understand interrelationships within and between human settlements .
C. Sustainability and Stewardship
C1. Working towards Sustainability: analyse impacts of human activity and human settlements on the environment, and assess the effectiveness of solutions to these impacts in selected ecumenes (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Geographic Perspective)
Human activity and human settlement have social, environmental, political, and economic consequences .
How do population changes affect the impact of communities on the natural environment?
What are some challenges associated with balancing human wants, needs,
and activities with the sustainability of human settlements? How have some groups addressed these challenges?
Is it possible to modify the environment and maintain sustainability at the same time?
C2. Stewardship: assess ways in which stewardship practices can contribute to the sustainability of human settlements (FOCUS ON: Interrelationships; Geographic Perspective)
Individuals, governments, and companies must work together to manage a community’s growth sustainably .
C3. Modifying the Environment: describe ways in which human societies modify their local environments in order to meet economic, social, political, and other needs, and assess the effects of these modifications
on sustainability (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Geographic Perspective)
Environmental modification and sustainability are potentially conflicting ideas .
Overview (continued)
Throughout this course, when planning instruction, teachers should weave the expectations from strand A in with the expectations from strands B–E.
Strands B–E
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | Canadian and World Studies
* See page 17 for a discussion of the purpose of big ideas and framing questions.
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