How to use the programmes


Jamaica is a less economically developed country than the UK and these programmes focus on people, products, environment and the locality of Port Antonio. Using a variety of techniques, Jamaican children present their country in ways that allow us to observe and consider geographical concepts and issues. For example:

‘Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea. It’s the third biggest of the Caribbean islands but compared to Britain it’s quite small – it could fit into the UK 20 times. Jamaica means ‘land of wood and water’ which is exactly what it is, with rainforests, rivers, mountains and the sea. My country has a tropical climate, which means it’s hot and wet all the year round.’

Before each programme, consider the following:

  • Availability of suitable globes, maps and atlases to find places in each programme
  • What do the children already know about the subject?
  • The programmes can be used in shorter sections, allowing discussion, sketching or completion of work while still focusing on the relevant material
  • New or difficult vocabulary may need clarification
  • Summaries at the end each programme list the important geography points.

After the programmes:

  • Use (or adapt) the suggested activities
  • Give groups of children an enquiry question from each of the programme notes and present answers to the class using a variety of methods, such as maps, drawings, accounts etc
  • Use the vocabulary lists to make a glossary, a pictorial dictionary or a word list to include in written work.




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