Geography

Teaching Overview

Geography is taught as a block of lessons, usually over 2 to 3 weeks. A broad range of topics are covered to ensure there are clear sequences of learning and progression in both knowledge and skills. There is a long term curriculum map in place, which ensures there is a broad and balanced coverage of foundation subjects across the school. Skills ladders have been developed to ensure there is progression within year groups as well across the school. From this, medium term plans are created for each half term and each year group, which show sequences of lessons focusing on the knowledge pupils will acquire within a topic for each of the foundation subjects. In Year 3 this year we have started to use Opening Worlds, which will carry over into Year 4, the next academic year.

What do you need to teach in the EYFS and Key Stage 1?

Foundation Stage geography allows children to gain a wider experience of the world around them. They learn through first-hand experiences to explore, observe, problem solve, predict, think critically, make decisions and talk about the creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments. Children learn about seasons, the weather, features in the local area and the buildings that surround them. They may be shown photographs of the local area to help them identify features, for example a library, railway, church or mosque. They will also be encouraged to record their findings, perhaps through drawing, writing, and modelling.

In Key Stage 1, pupils develop their knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They are taught basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness.

What do you need to teach at Key Stage 2?

Pupils extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge.

Recording

Work in the foundation subjects is recorded in curriculum books. These books should demonstrate the range of skills and knowledge taught, and should be of high quality in both content and presentation.