Geography
Intent
We want our children to think like a geographer which will allow them to ask and answer geographical questions with understanding and confidence. Furthermore, we want to inspire children and ignite their curiosity and fascination about geography. Children are encouraged to gain a good understanding of the world and their place in it. A good locational knowledge allows them to understand where things are and why. This in turn helps children to develop an understanding of relationships and connectiveness. Our curriculum is knowledge rich whilst also incorporating the geographical skills that children need in order to succeed in this area and other areas of learning. By learning about the world around them, we hope children will become curious and inspired, and take this learning with them as they progress through life. Geography provides children with the opportunities to develop their investigative and problem solving skills, both inside and outside of the classroom, through hands on geographical study. This allows children to forge a deep and meaningful understanding of the subject, in the context of our local area, as well as the wider world.
Implementation
Geography projects are taught in the Autumn and Spring Term with the exception of Year 2 that teach their coastal project in the Summer Term. They are sequenced to develops children’s geographical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines. Each geography project develops a strong sense of what geography is. In Key Stage 1 and 2 the Autumn Term projects begin with essential skills and knowledge. These projects prepare children for the more thematic geography projects in the Spring Term. They also build on learning from previous year groups.
In order for children to learn and remember more each lesson begins with a refresh of previous learning. At the end of a project children express their learning through various means such as presentations and speeches.
Our school grounds and local area are utilized well, allowing children to gain a secure understanding and knowledge of their own environment. Throughout their work in geography all children will learn how to draw and interpret maps and develop their skills of research, investigation and problem solving. We encourage children to learn by experience and we believe fieldwork is a key aspect of the geography curriculum which encourages them to observe, question and investigate. Educational visits throughout the year provide the children with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills further.
Every class has a ‘Knowledge Wall’ which provides the opportunity for teachers to display key knowledge, work and vocabulary. Active learning strategies are also key in the way our geography projects are taught.
Impact
Children will have a good understanding of geographical vocabulary and will ask and answer questions with growing confidence. As children progress through the school, they develop a good understanding of what geography is including the knowledge and skills linked to this discipline as well as an appreciation for their own local area and what makes our local area special. This will in turn give children a sense of pride of living in Birtley, the North East and the UK.
Children will be confident in understanding the world we live in and how places are connected and why. Our world is complex and it is important that we equip children with this knowledge early on so they can build on it throughout life.