Geography
“The one who concentrates his mind on the law of the most high, he researches into the Wisdom of all the ancients”
Sirach 39.1
Geography is taught once a term for a half term. It is taught using imaginative and creative approaches.
- Atlases, maps and globes are used when teaching about location and place.
- Internet mapping sources are used such as Google Earth and digimaps.
- Most geography suits include a short fieldtrip to see what has been taught in the classroom in a real place.
- Each lesson will start with a recap so that children will remember key facts.
Field trips
- All classes will complete at least one geography field trip per year, with some year groups doing more.
- A field trip is a way of showing the children what they have learnt in class in a real situation. This always helps them remember the concepts they have learnt and deepens the concepts.
- The biggest field trip is in year 6 when the children go on an overnight (either 1 or 2 nights) trip to a different part of the UK. In the past this has been to Wales, Derbyshire or Cumbria. On this the children use Ordnance Survey maps to find their way around and study physical features of the landscape. This prepares them for the way geography is taught at high school.
The key concepts in Geography are:
- Interconnections
Refers to the nature and significance between features, places, events and people. It enables recognition and appreciation of interdependence, locally, regionally or globally, whether ecological or socially generated.
- Place
Refers to what is in places and what happens there, ways places change and develop, how we conceive of and respond to places and whether we prefer them to stay the same or evolve.
- Climate
This provides a context to why different parts of the world have developed in the way they have. Climate shows the relationship between physical and social boundaries. Climate zones will have distinctive weather patterns and will aid to development of distinct biomes.
- Scale
Provides the lens to look at the world, from very small sites to local, regional, national, continental and oceanic areas, to the whole world. Scale enables many relationships to be identified and wide-ranging patterns and connections to be recognised. This supports the understanding environmental and place processes.
- Environmental Impact
Examines both human impact and sustainability. Observes the quality, management and care of environments, places and lives. It considers the responsible and explorative uses of Earth’s resources alongside responses to the degrading of natural and modified environments and damage to people’s lives. It considers ways to improve people’s futures and Earth and the ethics of doing so.
The four key skills in Geography are:
- Use of maps,
- Meaning with vocabulary
- Making sense through graphicacy (this is the ability to understand and present information in the form of sketches, photographs, diagrams, maps, plans, charts, graphs and other non-textual formats).
- Making learning real through fieldwork and the outdoors.
- Children can use an online version of a map-google maps/bing maps. Bing maps is useful in that it lets you use OS maps as well as street views.
- Let the children explore the world using Google Earth. This is a free to use program and is fascinating. for children and adults alike.
- Go for walks in the local area and point out geographical features. This could be as simple as looking at different types of shops(land use), spotting post boxes or knowing where the local park is. A great game to play is asking them to close their eyes and ask them to describe how to get somewhere familiar.
- Have an atlas at home.
- When you go on a journey, look at a map of the route beforehand.
- If they are interested in football, find the location of the teams that their favourite team is playing. This can be extended to Europe, if you are lucky.
- Look at food labels and find out where food comes from.