Geography
The purpose of Geography is to inspire pupils with curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. To equip pupils with knowledge of diverse places, people, resources, natural and human environments, together with an understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
National Curriculum Programme of Study
Intent
At St. Norbert’s lessons are planned sequentially across year groups to enable coherent and logical progression of key concepts with particular attention to what has come previously and what will come next. The content allows for a broader, deeper understanding of the four areas of geography identified in the curriculum. It will develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places and understanding of the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, along with how they bring about variation and change over time. We intend to develop pupil’s curiosity and a fascination of the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. The units offer a range of opportunities for investigating places around the world as well as physical and human processes. Our curriculum is intended to improve pupil’s geographical vocabulary, map skills and geographical facts and provide opportunities for consolidation, challenge and variety to ensure interest and progress in the subject.
Implementation
In KS1, pupils begin to use maps and recognise physical and human features to do with the local area, building to using maps to explore the continents and oceans of the world in Year 2. Further, in Year 2, pupils begin to compare where they live to places outside of Europe and ask and answer geographical questions. In KS2, map skills are developed further using digital maps, atlases, globes, keys and symbols and pupils begin to use fieldwork skills to identify physical and human features within the local area. Through revisiting and consolidating skills, our pupils are able to build on prior knowledge alongside introducing new skills and challenge. All pupils expand on their skills in local knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography, geographical skills and fieldwork. Across both key stages, pupils have a range of opportunities to experience geography through practical engaging tasks beyond the classroom. Key words are referred to through our topic knowledge organisers through each unit of work, to deepen their geographical knowledge.
Impact
We believe that the basis of our curriculum will provide a deep understanding of geographical knowledge and skills. We provide opportunities for our pupils to build on prior knowledge and skills over time, whilst enabling them to rehearse and reinforce prior learning. All pupils will use geographical vocabulary accurately and understand the different strands of geography, with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Pupils will begin to make relevant links from geography to other curriculum subjects, such as history, maths and science. They will improve their enquiry skills and inquisitiveness about the world around them, and their impact on the world. All pupils will realise that they have choices to make in the world, developing a positive commitment to the environment and the future of the planet. Pupils will become competent in collecting, analysing and communicating a range of data gathered. They will be able to interpret a range of sources of geographical information and they will communicate geographical information in a variety of ways. All pupils in our school will be able to speak confidently about their geography learning, skills and knowledge.
Year group |
Advent 1 |
Advent 2 |
Lent 1 |
Lent 2 |
Pentecost 1 |
Pentecost 2 |
Year 1 |
Local AreaGeography Skills and Fieldwork-Local area walk for local study-Create a map of the school grounds, using simple key- Identify key human and physical features of its surrounding environment. |
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The UKGeographical Skills and Fieldwork-Use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the UK-Identify UK countries and seasLocational KnowledgeName, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the UK |
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WeatherHuman and Physical Geography-Identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the UK (Winter/spring)-Locate hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles.-Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to: season and weather. |
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Year 2 |
MappingGeographical skills and fieldwork-Use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features-Local Area StudyIdentifying physical and human features-Devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols |
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Africa – Kenya StudyPlace Knowledge-Revise hot and cold countries, equator, North and South Pole-Locate Kenya and describe features-Compare Kenya to the UKLocational Knowledge-World’s continents and oceans (compass directions to describe location) |
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UK Seas and CoastsLocational Knowledge-Name, locate and identify characteristics of the UK seas and coastsHuman and Physical Geography-Basic geographical vocabulary linked to the seaside |
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Year 3 |
UKLocational Knowledge-Name and locate counties, cities of the UKGeographical regions and human and physical characteristics-Topographical featuresHuman and Physical Geography-Temperate biomesGeographical Skills and fieldwork-Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied. |
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Extreme EarthHuman and Physical Geography-Volcanoes, earthquakes and climate zones.Geographical Skills and fieldwork-Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied. |
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WaterHuman and Physical Geography-Describe and understand The water cycle- clouds and rain, pollution and flooding |
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Year 4 |
RainforestsLocational Knowledge-Locate rainforest areas of South America-Key physical and human characteristics, countries and major cities.-The tropics of Cancer and CapricornHuman and Physical geography-Tropical biomes-Climate zones |
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Land Use and SettlementHuman and Physical-Types of settlement and land useLocational Knowledge-Land use patterns-How aspects have changed over time-Fieldwork Fag Fen settlement-observe, measure and record and present human and physical features |
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Map skillsLocational knowledge-Locate world countries using maps to focus on EuropeGeographical Skills and fieldwork-Using symbols, grid references and compass points-use maps atlases and globes- use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present- Local study rivers in Spalding |
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Year 5 |
Enough for EveryoneHuman and physical geography-Distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water |
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All Around the WorldLocational Knowledge-Northern and Southern hemisphere-latitude and longitude-time zones-Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn-Arctic and AntarcticGeographical skills-Using maps atlases and globes |
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Exploring Eastern EuropeLocational Knowledge-Locating world countries using a mapPlace Knowledge-Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography-comparing UK region with a European regionHuman and physical-Comparing climates |
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Year 6 |
MountainsLocational knowledge-Topographical featuresHuman and Physical-Describe and understand key aspects of mountainsand climatesGeographical skills and fieldwork-grid references, compass points symbols and keys |
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Trade and EconomicsHuman and physical Geography-Economic activity including trade linksLocational knowledge-Locating the world’s countries, using maps to focus on South America |
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Amazing AmericasHuman and physical Geography-Identifying biomesLocational knowledgeGeographical skills and fieldwork-Study of a UK region fieldwork compared to areas of North America |
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