Understanding the EU: Rationale
The activities in this unit use thinking skills strategies, multiple personalities, jigsaw maps, mystery, fact and opinion, to refine students prior knowledge and extend their geographical understanding.
The European Union is a significant dimension to students lives. Arguably it is an organisation that will exert increasing power and relevance over young citizens. It can however be a challenging area to tackle in the classroom. Many students don't appreciate the influence of the EU on their lives. Geographical education has much to offer to counteract these perceptions. Through Geography students can recognise and understand the range of perspectives people have on the EU.
One of the European Union buildings in Brussels There is a significant geographical dimension to informed active Citizenship. This is a dimension that supports critical reflection on the significance of places. This involves students in recognising that a place's location is powerful. The layout and juxtaposition of countries influences decisions made. That geographical, locational knowledge is significant in that it informs and supports decisions made and perceptions held.
Thinking geographically also has a contribution to make in narrowing the gap between the Geography in our head, our perceptions and misconceptions and the alternative information that is available 'out there'. This can be achieved in Geography classrooms by supporting students in thinking critically and in an informed and reasoned way about geographical information. Often this involves supported conversations.
This unit is based on some work undertaken by the Geography department at Sandon High School, Stoke on Trent. It was developed to engage the students more purposefully with the European Union.
Move to Lesson 1
EU Rationale and National Curriculum references