Geography
Intent
In order for our children to develop a love of the world around them, at St. Peter’s we follow the National Curriculum for Geography, which we have carefully planned to reflect local and wider issues to allow our children to become well-informed geographers. Our teaching equips pupils with geographical knowledge and an understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes that shape our landscapes, environments and people. To help facility the exploration of geography, six key concepts are focused on and revisited throughout our Geography programme of study from Year R to Year 6 at St Peter’s, and include:
We aspire to equip our children with geographical knowledge in collecting and analysing data, using a variety of maps, atlases, globes and photographs to name, identify and locate countries, continents and oceans. We also strive for our pupils to be able to communicate their learning effectively in a variety of ways including: sketch maps, using tables and graphs to compare outcomes and writing to discuss their points of view. We will look to enhance children’s learning and practical knowledge in Geography by including fieldwork outside of the classroom.
Implementation
Across the year at St Peter’s, our children will study a range of different Geography and History topics. These topics are studied in-depth for a seasonal term and each of these terms have a unique focus.
For the Autumn term, both KS1 and KS2 will study a History topic that covers the theme of ‘Throughout the Ages’. For the Spring term both KS1 and KS2 will study a geography topic related to the theme of ‘Exploring our World.’ In the Summer term, Geography and History knowledge is embedded through the themes of ‘Significant individuals’, for KS1 and ‘Ancient Civilisations' in KS2.
To facilitate progression of learning, a comprehensive geography knowledge progression document has been created for teacher and pupils that focus on eight key aspects pupils gain knowledge in through studying Geography, and include:
| Locational knowledge | Place knowledge and understanding | Knowledge of environmental, physical and human geography processes | Geography skills and fieldwork | Communicating geographical views |
In each year group, children will continually revisit prior learning from year to year but also from lesson to lesson. Knowledge organisers are referred to within the unit of study with key questions, text, content and key vocabulary that children will encounter as they explore their unit of study in geography. Additionally, enrichment opportunities are sought for when exploring our various topics and include such things as class visits and school visitors.
Geography Knowledge Progression document
Spring Term Geography Knowledge Organisers
Year 2 - Poles and Continents including North America
Year 3 - Africa / Mountains, rivers and water cycle
Year 4 - Extreme Earth / Australasia
Year 5 - South America / Settlements and Land Use
Year 6 - Asia / Trade Links and Distribution
Inclusion
At St. Peter’s all pupils can develop their geography knowledge and understanding. The school promotes equal opportunities and fairness of distribution of geography resources. Teachers are made aware of children in their class who have a specific learning need and actions are put in place to ensure that barriers to learning are minimized. Whether that is 1:1 support, pre-teaching of key concepts or adaptations to the learning environment, every effort it made to allow for all children to gain in their understanding and knowledge needed for geographical enquiry.
Useful Links
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