Geography

"Discovering facts abour countries is great.  I have discovered countries I never knew about."  Year 4

"I liked finding out about Europe and drawing my own Portugal flag."  Year 3

 

Intent

At Scissett CE Academy, we strive to provide all children with a high-quality Geography education to inspire a curiosity and fascination about the world. Children will leave Scissett CE Academy with knowledge about diverse places, people and Geographical environments. Children will know the location of major countries and cities around the world and consider what life might be like there. Knowledge gained through the Geography curriculum will instill a sense of awe and wonder and will equip children with the necessary skills to become well-rounded citizens.


Implementation

Topic areas are taught in half termly blocks where children learn about local, national and global knowledge. Through an enquiry-based approach, young geographers are encouraged to think critically and ask questions to gain human and physical understanding. Geographical skills include map reading and, through fieldwork, presenting and analysing data. Key vocabulary and classroom prompts are displayed to support long term knowledge and development.  

These are the Geographical topics that are covered throughout a pupil's time at Scissett CE Academy:

 

Year Group

Autumn Term 1

Spring Term 1

Summer Term 1

R

Travel & Transport

Families and Living Things

Underwater & Sea-creatures

1

Let’s Explore London

Around the World

Where I live

2

Map Makers

Let’s Go on Safari

Seas and Coasts

3

Our European Neighbours

Plants of the World

In the Desert

4

Countries of the World

Village Settlers

Mexico Today and Rainforests

5

Extreme Earth

Water World

Natural Resources

 
Impact

As pupils progress through school they will develop their Geographical knowledge and skills. These areas feature: Locational Knowledge, Place Knowledge - Physical and Human Knowledge and Geographical Skills.

Assessment and Progression – EYFS

Understanding the World

(People, Culture and Communities)

(The Natural World)

·         Draw information from a simple map

·         Recognise some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries

·         Explore the natural world around them

·         Recognise some environments that are different to the one in which they live

Understanding the World

·         People Culture and Communities

·        Describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps.

·        Explain some similarities and differences between life in other countries, drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and (when appropriate) maps.

Understanding the World

·         The Natural World

·        Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.

·        Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons.

 

Assessment and Progression

 

What Learning Looks Like

Spring 2025 - Year 4 have shown a great interest in learning about volcanoes. The children have enjoyed learning about mountains, tectonic plates, and how volcanoes are formed. The children have used their knowledge and understanding of volcanoes to write informative sentences about volcanoes and tectonic plates. To support their writing in geography the children have drawn diagrams to show the formation of mountains and volcanoes.
 
Spring 2025 - In Year 2 this afternoon we looked at how to draw a sketch map, including human and physical features. The children went outside and surveyed the playground and surrounding areas. They then drew their own sketch maps with their partners before returning to the classroom and discussing the different features that they had identified. Some super Geography, well done Year 2 Miss Shaw and Mrs Brook were very impressed!
 
Autumn 2024 - Arctic Workshop - Year 3 was very lucky to take part in an Arctic workshop on Monday morning where they spoke with a real life explorer who lived and worked in the Arctic for nearly 20 years. She shared what life was like in these conditions and the research that she did. We saw the environment and the landscape and could compare it easily to what it would be like in Antarctica. The children then got a chance to ask some of their questions to the explorer. We finished off the morning with writing 5 things we had learnt and 5 ways we could do to help the environment. William did an amazing job in sharing his work with the explorer and the other schools involved! Well done William and Year 3 on an interesting and informative morning.
 
 
Autumn 2024 - The Equator - In Year 2, we have been looking at the Equator. We looked at the different countries that are located on the equator line. We also discussed the climates of those countries. The children did a great job of explaining the climate to their partners. Some excellent work, well done Year 2! 
 
Autumn 2024 - Oceans - As part of our new Geography topic, Year 5 have been looking at how we use oceans and why they are important. From trading (exporting and importing), to effects on global warming and plotting trading routes! Fantastic map work Year 5!
Autumn 2024 - Antarctica - In Curie class, we started our Geography topic on Antarctica. We looked at what latitude and longitude lines are and also found different countries using the lines on maps and Atlases. 
 
 

Summer 2024 - Year 3 enjoyed a fantastic afternoon looking at what is living in the River Dearne with the help of the Eco parish and the River helpers. We discovered different creatures such as the Olive, Mayfly, Shrimp and Fish to name a few and then we used magnifying glasses to look closely at their features and characteristics. We also discussed biodiversity and pollution in water, then the creatures they find can show how polluted the water is. 

Summer 2024 - Year 3 - Geography
Children in Year 3 have been learning about the countries in Europe. To increase our knowledge children went on a fact hunt finding out answers to various European countries based questions. The children loved to go hunting!
Summer 2024 - Orienteering 
Year 4 have been using maps and symbols around the school grounds to help them navigate to different points in different locations. The children worked together to support each other and receive their objectives.
 

 

 

Useful Links

www.natgeokids.com - National Georgraphic Website for Kids
 
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects - BBC Bitesize (all subjects)
 
www.world-geography-games.com - World Geography Games 
 
www.geography.org.uk - The Geographical Association
 
www.ducksters.com/geography - Duckster Georgraphy
 
www.primaryresources.com/geography - Primary Resources for Geography