What is a meridian? Is the meridian taught in History and Geography curriculum in Vietnam?

What is a meridian? Is the meridian taught in History and Geography curriculum in Vietnam?

- A meridian is a half-circle on the Earth's surface, connecting the North and South poles. It has the following main characteristics:

+ Direction: The meridian points North-South and is perpendicular to the equator.

+ Length: Each meridian is approximately 20,000 km in length.

+ Function: Meridians are used to determine the longitude of any point on Earth. Longitude is the angle between the meridian passing through that point and the prime meridian (0-degree meridian).

+ Prime Meridian: The Prime Meridian (0 degrees) is the meridian passing through the Greenwich Observatory on the outskirts of London, England. It is selected as the reference point for calculating the longitude of other locations on Earth.

*Why is the meridian important?

- Position Determination: Along with latitude, meridians help us precisely identify the location of any point on Earth.

- Mapmaking: Meridians and latitudes are the basis for drawing geographical maps.

- Navigation: Meridians are used in maritime and aviation navigation to determine routes and the positions of ships and aircraft.

According to Section 5 of the General Education Curriculum in History and Geography issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the Geography program for Grade 6 includes:

Some study contents such as:

- System of meridians and latitudes. The geographic coordinates of a location on a map

- Basic elements of maps

- Common types of maps

- Sketch maps for memory

Requirements to achieve include:

- Identifying on the map and on the Globe: the prime meridian, equator, the hemispheres; noting the geographic coordinates of a location on a map.

- Recognizing some grid networks of meridians and latitudes on world maps.

- Being able to read map symbols and explanations of administrative maps and topographic maps.

- Determining the direction on the map and calculating the actual distance between two locations on the map based on the scale.

- Reading maps and identifying the position of geographical objects on the map.

- Finding routes on a map.

- Drawing memory sketches of familiar geographical objects for students individually.

Thus, according to the above regulation, a Meridian is a half-circle on the Earth's surface, connecting the North and South poles. The meridian is indeed taught in the subject of History and Geography in Grade 6.

What is a meridian? Is the meridian taught in History and Geography curriculum in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

Is History and Geography a mandatory subject in Vietnam?

Based on Section 1 of the General Education Curriculum in History and Geography issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the characteristics of the History and Geography subject are as follows:

I. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUBJECT

History and Geography at the lower secondary level are crucial for the formation and development of students' main qualities, general capabilities, and scientific capacities with distinctive manifestations such as historical capacity, geographical capacity; laying the groundwork for students to continue learning in high school, vocational training, or participate in labor life, becoming useful citizens.

History and Geography is a mandatory subject, taught from Grade 6 to Grade 9. The subject includes educational contents in history, geography, and some interdisciplinary topics, while integrating, incorporating knowledge at a simple level about economics, culture, science, religion,... The historical and geographical knowledge strands are connected to illuminate and support each other. Additionally, the subject includes some integrative topics, such as protecting sovereignty, the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnam in the East Sea; urbanization - history and present; civilization of the Red and Mekong River deltas; the great geographical discoveries,...

Thus, according to the above regulation, History and Geography is a mandatory subject.

Does the construction of the History and Geography curriculum in Vietnam incorporate experiences from advanced countries?

Based on Section 2 of the General Education Curriculum in History and Geography issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the perspectives on constructing the History and Geography curriculum are as follows:

The History and Geography curriculum at the lower secondary level adheres to the regulations of the overall program, while emphasizing certain perspectives:

1. The program aims to form and develop scientific thinking in students, viewing the world as an entirety both in space and time based on fundamental knowledge, study tools, and research in history and geography; thereby forming and developing specific and general capacities, especially the ability to apply knowledge and skills in practice and the ability to innovate.

2. The program inherits and promotes the strengths of the History and Geography subjects in the current general education program and adopts the experience of curriculum development from advanced countries worldwide. The content ensures providing students with foundational, comprehensive, scientific general knowledge; suitable to students' psycho-physiological characteristics and cognitive level, taking into account the teaching conditions of Vietnamese schools.

3. The historical education content is designed on a linear timeline, from prehistoric times through ancient, medieval, to modern times; in each period, there is an interweaving of world history, regional history, and Vietnamese history. The Geography content moves from general geography to regional geography and Vietnamese geography. Emphasis is placed on selecting topics, connecting knowledge and skills to form and develop students' capacities, while valuing the unique characteristics of historical and geographical sciences.

4. The program emphasizes the use of positive education methods, underlining the use of teaching means, diversifying teaching forms, and assessing educational outcomes to form and develop qualities and capacities in students.

5. The program ensures continuity with the primary-level History and Geography curriculum and the high school-level History curriculum and Geography curriculum; maintaining a close connection between grade levels, education levels, and the educational activities of the general education program.

6. The program is open, allowing flexible implementation depending on local conditions and student groups (students in difficult areas, students with special support needs,...).

Thus, in accordance with the regulation on the perspective of constructing the History and Geography curriculum, the program must incorporate experiences from advanced countries worldwide in developing the curriculum.

Download the General Education Curriculum in History and Geography issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT.