Grade 4 Social Sciences: Geography

Geography helps us learn about people and the places where they live. A place can be a home, street, neighbourhood, village, town, city, farm or any area that people use.

People live in different types of settlements. Some settlements are small, such as farms and villages. Others are larger, such as towns and cities.

• Rural areas usually have fewer people, open spaces and farms.
• Urban areas usually have more people, buildings, roads and services.
• People need basic services such as water, electricity, schools, clinics, transport and shops.

Buildings are made for different purposes. Some buildings are homes, while others are used for learning, shopping, worship, health care, work or safety.

People do different jobs to earn money and to provide goods and services. Jobs help a community function.

• Some jobs happen indoors, such as office work or teaching.
• Some jobs happen outdoors, such as farming, building or road work.
• Some jobs provide services, while others produce goods.

Roads and footpaths connect places. People use them to travel from home to school, shops, work, clinics and other important places.

A landmark is something that is easy to recognise in a place. Landmarks help people find their way and explain directions.

• Use direction words such as left, right, straight, past, opposite, next to and between.
• Use clear landmarks when explaining a route.
• Give directions in the correct order.

Maps are drawings that show places from above. Learners use maps to identify buildings, roads, open spaces, rivers and other features.

Geography learners must observe places carefully, use correct vocabulary and explain how people use spaces in their communities.