Welcome to Geography

What is it like to live in our local area?
Pupils investigate maps, zooming in from a world view to locate our country, city, borough and school location. They use maps to find features of the local area and create their own maps to represent these. Pupils explore the different ways we travel in the city, the journeys we take, and the jobs people do in the local community. They discuss what they like about the local area after exploring with local walks and researching what makes their local area significant.

Toys in Time: How have toys changed over time? Pupils explore and categorise different types of toys before exploring how they have changed over time. They learn how technological developments, availability of materials and fashions have influenced the invention of new toys. Pupils investigate materials used and make direct comparisons between old and new toys. Pupils use timelines to place new inventions in chronological order, building a concept of the past and present day.

The United Kingdom:
Why should people visit the United Kingdom?
Pupils explore the term ‘united’ to establish the meaning of a United Kingdom. They learn about each of the four countries making up the U.K.; what it is like to live in the countries; capital cities; languages; tourism; reasons to visit each country. Pupils discover the flags of each country before discussing the composition of the Union Jack. Pupils are inspired by the class text to discover more information about key geographical features and landmarks across London and the United Kingdom.

Planet Earth: Can you describe the seven continents and five oceans that make up Planet Earth?

Planet Earth: Can you describe the seven continents and five oceans that make up Planet Earth?

Pupils learn to recognise and locate the continents and oceans on a range of maps. They study each of the oceans and their animal life. Pupils explore each of the continents, identifying countries, capital cities, climates, landmarks, landscapes and native animals. They learn about the equator; Northern & Southern hemispheres. Pupils explore ways in which they can care for the world.

Life in Kenya – Contrasting Location:
If I moved to Kenya, what would be different compared to the UK? Pupils learn to locate the continent of Africa on a variety of maps, before zooming in on Kenya. They explore the climate and landscape of the country, considering the country’s positioning on the equator and discovering the habitats and biomes; deserts; mountains; savannahs. Pupils discover what it is like to live in both rural and urban locations in Kenya, before making direct comparisons to that of the UK and their own societies.

UK: Settlements and Land Use
What is the land like in the UK and how do we use it? Pupils explore the unique, physical features of the United Kingdom, including coasts and rivers, mountains and hills and human settlements. They discover why, where and how settlements have formed; how the land is used for different purposes and the impact this has. They make comparisons between different areas of the UK.

Europe: Mountains, Contrasting Location study of Italy Where in the continent would you most like to visit and why? Pupils use maps to identify key physical and human characteristics, countries and major cities. They make direct comparisons between regions, including an analysis of the weather and climate. Pupils complete an in-depth study of Italy, using digital mapping tools to identify physical features and landmarks.

Europe: Mountains, Contrasting Location study of Italy Where in the continent would you most like to visit and why? Pupils use maps to identify key physical and human characteristics, countries and major cities. They make direct comparisons between regions, including an analysis of the weather and climate. Pupils complete an in-depth study of Italy, using digital mapping tools to identify physical features and landmarks.

Climate Zones and Biomes: What are biomes, why are they important and why should they be protected? Pupils investigate how and why different areas of the world have different climates and how climate zones are defined. They discover the different biomes of the world and how flora and fauna have adapted to survive and thrive in these areas. Pupils explore the challenges faced by humans living in each of these regions and how these are overcome – assessing the impact of human activity.

Amazon: Rivers and Rainforests
What is the Amazon, why is it significant and should it be protected? Pupils begin by studying the human geography of South America (including populations, languages spoken) before exploring the varying landforms and range in climates. They locate rainforests around the world and complete an in-depth study of the Amazon to understand the importance of rainforests in maintaining a healthy, functioning ecosystem world over.

Amazon: Rivers and Rainforests
What is the Amazon, why is it significant and should it be protected? Pupils begin by studying the human geography of South America (including populations, languages spoken) before exploring the varying landforms and range in climates. They locate rainforests around the world and complete an in-depth study of the Amazon to understand the importance of rainforests in maintaining a healthy, functioning ecosystem world over.

USA – Contrasting location: What is it like in the USA and how is it similar to the UK? Pupils learn to locate the continent of North America on a variety of maps, before zooming in on the USA. They explore the population, climate and physical landscape of the country, as well as discovering some of the most significant manmade structures and landmarks. They link this learning to their study of skyscrapers. Pupils discover what it is like to live in New York, the most populated city, making direct comparisons to that of the UK and London.

Asia: Volcanoes and Earthquakes
What are natural disasters and how do they impact the lives of people living in Asia? Pupils develop knowledge of physical geography, exploring the different types of land and climates across Asia. Pupils learn about tectonic plates and their movements, including how continental drift created the continents. They study the formation of mountains and volcanoes; how/why volcanoes erupt; how/why earthquakes occur; modern day impact.

Asia: Volcanoes and Earthquakes
What are natural disasters and how do they impact the lives of people living in Asia? Pupils develop knowledge of physical geography, exploring the different types of land and climates across Asia. Pupils learn about tectonic plates and their movements, including how continental drift created the continents. They study the formation of mountains and volcanoes; how/why volcanoes erupt; how/why earthquakes occur; modern day impact.

Global Challenges: What are some of the major human and physical challenges faced around the globe and how can we make a positive difference?

Pupils explore how climate influences the way land is used across the globe. They investigate how the world’s natural resources are distributed and traded; the movement of borders and people; evaluating the sustainability of human consumption the world over. They research the effect of climate change, current initiatives in place to tackle this and future projections.

Mapping the World:
Pupils explore different kinds of maps (political, physical, topographic, road, street view aerial view, ordnance survey) to discover their purpose and what each of these can tell us. They learn to locate places on a map, using compass tools, latitude and longitude lines, grid lines, grid references, co-ordinates and poles to guide their work. Pupils draw upon their learning to plan their own fieldwork, considering what they would like to find out more about geographically in the local area, and carrying out an investigation to observe, question, research, collect and record data. They consider how to best present their findings to an audience.