Geography

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Geography at Perryfields Infant School

Intent

  • To foster every child’s natural curiosity of the world around them. 
  • To develop geographical skills and vocabulary. 
  • To encourage children to ask questions and make links allowing them make sense of the world around them. 

The subject leader, in consultation with staff, has been responsible for plotting the skills to be covered into 3 blocks of learning for year 1 and 2. Each year group builds on work done in the previous year. The order in which some blocks should be taught is specified but other blocks can be taught in the order which best suits the topics and circumstances at the time.

The blocks of learning are as follows:

Year 1

  • The local area
  • Continents and oceans
  • A contrasting country (English-speaking e.g. Australia, Canada)

Year 2

  • Local area study – human and physical features
  • UK countries, capitals and weather
  • Comparison of UK and another country (not EU e.g. Kenya, Brazil)

EYFS

Geography is taught in the Understanding the World area of learning. Most of this area of the curriculum is taught through sharing both fiction and non-fiction books, watching video clips and class discussions.

The order of skills & knowledge

The children’s interests and the class topic decide the order in which some specific lessons are taught where as others are dependent on the time in the year. For example, at the beginning of the year we will look at the immediate school environment which widens to the local area as the year progresses. We look at the seasonal changes throughout the year. The geography curriculum is devised from the yearly overview which is taken from the Development Matters document.

How and when we assess

Children are assessed formatively through observations, and photographs. They are also assessed every term against the 7 areas of learning and this data is uploaded onto the Early Years Data Spreadsheet.

By the end of the year we expect children to have met The Natural World Early Learning Goal for Understanding the World. We expect the children

  • To make observations of the world around them.
  • To know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments.
  • To understand the important processes and changes in the natural world including the seasons and changing states of matter.

Key Stage 1

Geography is taught half termly and alternates with history. It is taught in the second half of each term. The lessons are taught weekly and previous learning is built upon through the year.

The order of skills & knowledge

There are 3 geography blocks of learning for each of Year 1 and Year 2 which have been devised from the National Curriculum. The blocks of learning (listed above) set out the sequence of lessons for each area of study.

How and when we assess

Children are assessed termly using a Proof of Progress (POP) task. This information is saved in a Teams folder where it can be tracked by the Geography Lead.

 

By the end of Year 1 we expect children to have the following:

KNOWLEDGE

Know the name of the local area and some features

Know what a map shows.

Name and locate 7 continents.

Name and locate 5 oceans.

Identify UK and its countries.

Know some basic geographical vocabulary for physical features (e.g. field, tree, hill) and weather.

Know some basic geographical vocabulary for human features (e.g. road, shop, zebra crossing).

SKILLS

Be able to draw simple maps

Be able to label features on maps.

Be able to use position words (near, far, left, right, close) to describe the location.

Begin to use maps, atlases and globes to find places.

Be able to use terms equator and poles to explain hotter and colder areas.

Ask geographical questions.

Make observations about similarities and differences between places from pictures and clips.

Compare weather and climate in different places.

 

By the end of Year 2, we expect children to have the following:

KNOWLEDGE

Know a wider range of vocabulary relating to human and physical features of places.

Know key features and landmarks of the local area.

Know how to interpret an aerial photograph.

Understand the distinction between continents and countries.

Know some key facts about country/ area studied.

Understanding that city and countryside areas do not face the same challenges.

Know usual weather patterns in different parts of the UK.

Know some physical and human characteristics of different parts of the UK

Name and locate capital cities of the UK.

SKILLS

Be able to use appropriate vocabulary to describe features of places.

Be able to compare different places.

Be able to label features and landmarks on an aerial photograph.

Use geographical vocabulary to refer to human features.

Use photographs to identify similarities and differences.

Ask geographical questions about places, based on knowledge and learning.

Use compass points to describe relative locations.

Use appropriate vocabulary to describe weather.

Use maps and atlases to help mark places on a map.

 

Children who are not meeting age related expectations are supported by additional adult support and resources such as word banks during lessons.

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