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Year 8 Geography Achievement Standard – Australian Curriculum v9
Year 8 Humanities and Social Sciences ASHASGEOY8

Year 8 Geography Achievement Standard – Australian Curriculum v9

This Achievement Standard describes what students are expected to know and do in Year 8 Humanities and Social Sciences by the end of the year. Teachers can use it to guide assessment design, collect evidence of learning, and ensure planning stays aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9.

What Students Should Know

By the end of Year 8, students explain how the interactions of people and environmental processes impact on the characteristics of places. They explain how the characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently by people. They describe the effects of human activity or hazards on environments. They explain the features of a distribution and identify implications. They explain the interconnections between people and places and environments. They explain how these interconnections change places or environments. Students explain responses or strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge, referring to environmental, economic or social factors.

Students develop relevant questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge. They collect, organise and represent relevant and reliable data and information using primary research methods and secondary research materials. They interpret and analyse data and information to explain patterns and trends and infer relationships. They draw reasoned conclusions about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge. They decide on appropriate strategies for action and explain potential impacts. Students use geographical knowledge, methods, concepts, terms and reference findings from sources to create descriptions, explanations and responses.

Content Descriptors by Strand

This standard is supported by 15 Content Descriptors:

Knowledge and understanding

Landscapes and landforms

AC9HG8K01 geomorphological processes that produce different landscapes and significant landforms AC9HG8K02 the location and distribution of Australia’s distinctive landscapes and significant landforms AC9HG8K03 the spiritual, aesthetic and cultural value of landscapes and landforms for people, including Country/Place of First Nations Australians AC9HG8K04 the interconnections between human activity and geomorphological processes, and ways of managing distinctive landscapes AC9HG8K05 the causes and impacts of a geomorphological hazard on people, places and environments, and the effects of responses

Changing nations

AC9HG8K06 causes of urbanisation and its impacts on places and environments, drawing on a study from a country such as the United States of America, and its implications AC9HG8K07 differences in the distribution of urban settlements and urban concentration in Australia compared with another country such as the United States of America, and their implications AC9HG8K08 reasons for, and effects of, internal migration and international migration in Australia, China or other countries AC9HG8K09 strategies to manage the sustainability of Australia’s changing urban places

Skills

Questioning and researching using geographical methods

AC9HG8S01 develop questions for a geographical inquiry related to a phenomenon or challenge AC9HG8S02 collect, organise and represent data and information from primary research methods, including fieldwork and secondary research materials, using geospatial technologies and digital tools as appropriate

Interpreting and analysing geographical data and information

AC9HG8S03 interpret and analyse geographical data and information to identify similarities and differences, explain patterns and trends and infer relationships

Concluding and decision-making

AC9HG8S04 draw conclusions based on the analysis of the data and information AC9HG8S05 identify a strategy for action in relation to environmental, economic, social or other factors, and explain potential impacts

Communicating

AC9HG8S06 create descriptions, explanations and responses, using geographical knowledge and methods, concepts, terms and reference sources

At a Glance

Strand Substrand CDs Elaborations
Knowledge and understanding Landscapes and landforms 5 22
Knowledge and understanding Changing nations 4 17
Skills Questioning and researching using geographical methods 2 9
Skills Interpreting and analysing geographical data and information 1 3
Skills Concluding and decision-making 2 6
Skills Communicating 1 3
Total 15 60

Frequently Asked Questions

What should students know by the end of Year 8 Geography?
By the end of Year 8, students explain how the interactions of people and environmental processes impact on the characteristics of places. They explain how the characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently by people. They describe the effects of human activity or hazards on environments. They explain the features of a distribution and identify implications. They explain the interconnections between people and places and environments. They explain how these interconnections change places or environments. Students explain responses or strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge, referring to environmental, economic or social factors. Students develop relevant questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge. They collect, organise and represent relevant and reliable data and information using primary research methods and secondary research materials. They interpret and analyse data and information to explain patterns and trends and infer relationships. They draw reasoned conclusions about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge. They decide on appropriate strategies for action and explain potential impacts. Students use geographical knowledge, methods, concepts, terms and reference findings from sources to create descriptions, explanations and responses.
How many Content Descriptors support this standard?
15 Content Descriptors support this Achievement Standard (Knowledge and understanding: 5, Knowledge and understanding: 4, Skills: 2, Skills: 1, Skills: 2, Skills: 1).
How does this compare to Year 7?
The Year 7 Geography standard (ASHASGEOY7) covers the preceding year level. Standards build progressively, with Year 8 expectations extending what was introduced in Year 7.
Is this from the latest Australian Curriculum?
Yes, this Achievement Standard is from the Australian Curriculum version 9.0 (AC v9), the most current version published by ACARA.