The geography topics have been chosen to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum in a way that will build upon their prior knowledge. Pupils will extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge.
Geography Curriculum
Locational knowledge
- Locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities.
- Identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night).
- Name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time.
Place knowledge
- Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, a region in a European country, and a region within North or South America.
Place knowledge is taught through all units, with focused studies of Greater London (Year 5 Population, Settlement and Changes) Brazil (Year 4) and the French Alps (Year 5 Europe).
Human and physical geography
Describe and understand key aspects of:
- Physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle.
- Human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water.
Geographical skills and fieldwork
- Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied.
- Use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world.
- Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.
- Conducting fieldwork to support topics of study, both in the local area and on residential trips.
Year 3
Week 1
Outcome
- To assess understanding of seasons, continents, oceans, rivers and the UK
Revision
- To use a world map to identify the seven continents
Vocabulary
- Asia, Europe, N America, S America, Africa, Australia, season, Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, The Channel, The Irish Sea, London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff, settlements, vegetation, harbour
Week 2
Outcome
- To define the terms ‘human’ and ‘physical’ geography
Revision
- To label continents and oceans of the world on a world map
Vocabulary
- population, landscape, relationships, natural processes
Week 3
Outcome
- To describe the layers of the Earth
Revision
- To discuss the relative size of continents
Vocabulary
- crust, magma, inner core, outer core, mantle
Week 4
Outcome
- To identify the features of volcanoes
Revision
- To name the four countries in the UK
Vocabulary
- land plate, magma chamber, vent, ash, oceanic crust
Week 5
Outcome
- To identify the different shapes of volcanoes and reasons for their formation
Revision
- To name the capital cities of each country in the UK
Vocabulary
- explosive, stratovolcanoes, effusive, eruptions
Week 6
Outcome
- To locate regions where volcanic activity occurs
Revision
- To discuss the global pollution levels in the oceans
Vocabulary
- plates, effusive, edges
Week 7
Outcome
- To explain what happens when a volcano erupts
Revision
- To identify what can be done to prevent pollution
Vocabulary
- active, ash, lava, pressure, surface
Week 1
Outcomes
- To debate factors around living near a natural disaster zone
- Case study Eyjafjallajokull: Life before and after a volcanic eruption
Revision
- To know the human physical features of different places (e.g. village, town, city, harbour, port, shop)
Vocabulary
- evacuation, precaution, danger, risk
Week 2
Outcome
- To explain what an earthquake is
Revision
- To know four compass point directions
Vocabulary
- shockwaves, estimate, duration
Week 3
Outcome
- To describe tectonic plates
Revision
- To be able to use a compass point to relate to where we live in the UK
Vocabulary
- tectonic plates, crust, oceanic, continental
Week 4
Outcomes
- To analyse the most active earthquake zone in the world
- Case Study San Andreas Fault
Revision
- To describe where certain countries are on the map using a compass
Vocabulary
- epicentre, seismic waves, seismographs
Week 5
Outcome
- To describe how to measure earthquakes
Revision
- To describe where certain countries are on the map using a compass
Vocabulary
- epicentre, seismic waves, seismographs
Week 6
Outcome
- To explain what happens during an earthquake and the impact this can have on human settlements
Revision
- To define the term ‘local geography’
Vocabulary
- landslides, upheaval, mudslides, liquefaction
Week 7
Outcome
- To explain how tsunamis are created and the impact they can have on human settlements
Revision
- To discuss some of the local geographical sites (Epping Forest)
Vocabulary
- fault movement, wave length, ripples
Week 1
Outcome
- To describe how humans predict and prepare for living in a natural disaster zone
Vocabulary
- shallow quake, aftershock, victims, economy, geothermal
Revison
- To explore Antarctica using Google Earth
Week 2
Outcome
- To know what are the benefits of living near the coast (particularly in a region which is more vulnerable to tsunamis)
Vocabulary
- vulnerable, preparation, location, population
Revision
- To know what Antarctica is like and how does it compare to the rest of the world
Week 3
Outcome
- Essay: Why are regions which are vulnerable to Natural Disasters also attractive places to live?
Vocabulary
- fertile land, tourists, geothermal, benefits, tectonic plates, geothermal, minerals
Revision
- To know who can live in Antarctica and what animals live there?
Week 4
Outcome
- Essay: Why are regions which are vulnerable to Natural Disasters also attractive places to live?
Vocabulary
- fertile land, tourists, geothermal, benefits, tectonic plates, geothermal, minerals
Revision
- To know who can live in Antarctica and what animals live there?
Week 5
Outcome
- Essay: Why are regions which are vulnerable to Natural Disasters also attractive places to live?
Vocabulary
- fertile land, tourists, geothermal, benefits, tectonic plates, geothermal, minerals
Revision
- To know who can live in Antarctica and what animals live there?
Week 6
Outcome
- To assess knowledge and understanding of volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis
Vocabulary
- preparation, forecasting, warning signs earthquake drills
Revision
- To explore the South Pole
Week 1
Outcome
- To locate the UK in the world and Europe
Vocabulary
- compass, direction, hemisphere, orbit
Revision
- To locate India on the world map
Week 2
Outcome
- To locate and compare the four nations of the UK and their capital cities
Vocabulary
- island, satellite, nation, land use
Revision
- To name and locate cities in India
Week 3
Outcome
- To know the main landscape features in the UK
Vocabulary
- damp air, mountainous, central, southern
Revision
- To describe the climate of India
Week 4
Outcome
- To identify different settlements
Vocabulary
- The know the range of climates in India (regional)
Revision
- villages, towns, cities, population
Week 5
Outcome
- To know and compare and contrast a hamlet to a village to a city
Vocabulary
- hamlet, population, density, infrastructure
Revision
- To describe the physical features in India
Week 6
Outcome
- To explain what the coast of the UK is like
Vocabulary
- coastline, mudflats, shingle, cliffs, estuary
Revision
- To describe the human features in India
Week 1
Outcome
- To define the terms immigration, emigration, migration and internal migration
Vocabulary
- ancestors, internal, move, communities
Revision
- To use aerial photographs to recognise landmarks in the world
Week 2
Outcome
- To know how did the docks shape the city of London today?
Revision
- To interpret basic symbols in a key on a map
Week 3
Outcome
- Essay: ‘Tell me about the UK’. An essay to inform others about the UK
Vocabulary
- settlers, central, modern, trade, population, features, natural, human, cities, concluding, location
Revision
- To comment and describe the school grounds using a map
Week 4
Outcome
- Essay: ‘Tell me about the UK’. An essay to inform others about the UK
Vocabulary
- settlers, central, modern, trade, population, features, natural, human, cities, concluding, location
Revision
- To know the difference between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere
Week 5
Outcome
- Essay: ‘Tell me about the UK’. An essay to inform others about the UK
Vocabulary
- settlers, central, modern, trade, population, features, natural, human, cities, concluding, location
Revision
- To name and locate the Earth’s oceans
Week 6
Outcome
- To locate main rivers in the UK
Vocabulary
- streams, rivers, valleys, border
Revision
- To identify the world’s largest and smallest continent
Week 1
Outcome
- To know the main landscape features in the UK
Vocabulary
- seasons, climate, clouds, satellite
Revision
- To use a world map to identify the seven continents
Week 2
Outcome
- To explain which food is most suited to being farmed in the climate of the UK
Vocabulary
- climate, disease, livestock, crops, organic
Revision
- To label continents and oceans of the world on a world map
Week 3
Outcome
- To explain how major urban areas are connected by road and rail
Vocabulary
- motorways, network, mainland, trade
Revision
- To discuss the relative size of continents
Week 4
Outcome
- To compare and contrast two cities within the UK
Vocabulary
- tourism, services, industry
Revision
- To name the four countries in the UK
Week 5
Outcome
- To compare the UK to other places in the world
Vocabulary
- population, landscapes, location
Revision
- To name the capital cities of each country in the UK
Week 6
Outcome
- To assess my knowledge and understanding of the UK
Revision
- To discuss the global pollution levels in the oceans
Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
Year 3 start with the topic of Volcanoes which builds upon children’s prior knowledge of continents. Children are able to consolidate their knowledge of the names of oceans and continents and their broad understanding (from KS1) of the similarities and differences between global regions.
In contrast to KS1, the Volcanoes topic gives children the opportunity to see natural process within Geography as active and to begin to apply analysis of the effect that would have on human population settlements.
Children build upon their ability to present information using maps and diagrams as appropriate through mapping the location of volcanoes but also describing the processes at work in an individual volcano.
United Kingdom
Building upon the children’s prior knowledge from KS1, the Spring term topic is the United Kingdom. This topic gives children the ability to consolidate their understanding of key Geographical vocabulary such as: beach, cliff, coast, forest hill, mountain, sea and river but to extend their learning by having a greater emphasis on the differences between human and physical geography and how the two interact.
During this topic, children will learn about each of the constituent nations of the UK, their capital cities and the other large cities of the UK. They will also cover the physical features that make each nation of the UK unique from the Scottish Cairngorms to Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway from the Welsh Valley to England’s fens. They are also introduced to the key concepts of Longitude and Latitude which help children to explain differences in climate and time zones between places around the world and the UK. Children consider the popularity of, and analyse the impact of tourism on the UK.
Land Use
During the summer, children will investigate the ways in which humans have made use of the land. They will start by contrasting urban and rural settlements and explore the concept of a wilderness. Building upon what they have learnt about the formation of mountains and valleys in their Autumn topic, they will consider why certain areas of the UK are higher above sea level than others. They will consider how the relief of the land and its geology makes it suitable for different human purposes. They will contrast regions of the UK with pertinent examples from across the world.
Y3 – Autumn
Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
Y3 – Spring
United Kingdom
Y3 – Summer
Land Use
Year 4
Week 1
Outcome
- To define the term biome
Vocabulary
- oasis, landscape, moisture, Arctic Circle, permafrost
Revision
- To define what a continent is and identify the different continents
Week 2
Outcome
- To know and identify the different types of forest
Vocabulary
- To know and identify the different types of forest
Revision
- To define the terms human and physical geography
Week 3
Outcome
- To plan an investigation in our local forest area
Vocabulary
- temperate, landscape
Revision
- To identify and describe the layers of the Earth
Week 4
Outcome
- To investigate our local forest area within the school site
Vocabulary
- observe, identification, transformation
Revision
- To identify the features of a volcano
Week 5
Outcome
- To know and understand the features of a rainforest and apply this knowledge to the Amazon Rainforest
Vocabulary
- biodiversity, evaporation, deforestation, Amazon Rainforest
Revision
- To describe the formation of different volcano types
Week 6
Outcome
- To compare the main differences between temperate and tropical rainforests and their location to the equator
Vocabulary
- equator, climate weather, tropical, temperate, precipitation
Revision
- To locate regions where volcanic activity occurs
Week 7
Outcome
- To compare the layers of temperate and tropical rainforests
Vocabulary
- emergent, canopy understorey, layer, forest floor, biome
Revision
- To explain what happens when a volcano erupts
Week 1
Outcome
- To know and compare grassland and savannah
Vocabulary
- continent, migration, adaptations temperature, Serengeti
Revision
- To recall the characteristics of people who live in each continent (climate, population density)
Week 2
Outcome
- To know and compare the climate and landscape of deserts, tundra and ice biomes
Vocabulary
- oasis, landscape moisture, permafrost, Arctic Circle
Revision
- To explain what an earthquake is
Week 3
Outcome
- To compare The Sahara Desert and Antarctica
Vocabulary
- subtropical, wadis sandstorm, dromedary camel, emperor penguin
Revision
- To describe tectonic plates and San Andreas Fault
Week 4
Outcome
- To know and compare the three types of ocean
Vocabulary
- polar, temperate, tropical, current, gravitational pull
Revision
- To describe how earthquakes can be measured
Week 5
Outcome
- To identify and examine the Great Barrier Reef and the issues it and other coral reefs faces
Vocabulary
- coral reef, biodiverse, continental shelf, pollution
Revision
- To explain what happens during an earthquake
Week 6
Outcome
- To identify what freshwater biomes include and where they can be found
Vocabulary
- source, bank, lake, River Nile, delta, streamlined, tributaries
Revision
- To explain what a tsunami is and the affect they have on settlements
Week 7
Outcome
- Essay: To compare the landscape and climate of the main biomes of the world
Vocabulary
- landscape, forest, ice, desert, tundra, ocean, river, lake
Week 1
Outcome
- Essay: To compare the landscape and climate of the main biomes of the world
Vocabulary
- landscape, forest, ice, desert, tundra, ocean, river, lake
Revision
- To describe how humans have adapted to live in zones with natural disaster
Week 2
Outcome
- Essay: To compare the landscape and climate of the main biomes of the world
Vocabulary
- landscape, forest, ice, desert, tundra, ocean, river, lake
Revision
- To explain how people predict natural disasters
Week 3
Outcome
- To name and locate North and South America and the countries within them
Vocabulary
- territories, indigenous, continent, shoreline
Revision
- To examine a volcano case study
Week 4
Outcome
- To identify the position and significance of latitude relating to climates and biomes
Vocabulary
- climate, equator, latitude, temperate zone, Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer
Revision
- To discuss the benefits of living near a volcano
Week 5
Outcome
- To describe the biomes and climates of different regions across the Americas
Vocabulary
- alpine, temperate, desert, tropical, deciduous, tundra, coniferous savannah, Mediterranean
Revision
- To explain what a tsunami is and the effect they have on human settlements
Week 6
Outcome
- To know and recognise some of the natural landscapes and landmarks of North America
Vocabulary
- Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, landscape, The Grand Canyon, Popocatepetl, aerial view
Revision
- To examine why certain places are more desirable to live
Outcome
- To understand a folk story: view and listen to Bookbox: La princesse fermière
- Pre-teach key vocab: la princesse, le roi, la sécheresse, l’araignée, le chat, le fermier (princess, king, drought, spider, cat, farmer).
Week 1
Outcome
- To examine why certain places are more desirable to live
Vocabulary
- tectonic plates, civilisation, temperature, biome, colonisation
Revision
- To locate the UK in the world and in Europe
Week 2
Outcome
- To recognise some of the natural landscapes and landmarks of South America
Vocabulary
- landmark, highland, tropical, dense
Revision
- To locate and compare the four nations of the UK and compare their capital cities
Week 3
Outcome
- To compare a natural landscape in the Americas (Andes Mountains) to one in the UK (The Peak District)
Vocabulary
- mountain range, industries, cultures
Revision
- To examine past settlements in the UK
Week 4
Outcome
- To compare some types of settlements in the Americas
Vocabulary
- population density, populated areas, indigenous, settlements, tribe
Revision
- To compare the key differences between houses, villages, towns and cities
Week 5
Outcome
- To recognise man-made landmarks of North America
Vocabulary
- architecture, landmark, manmade, ancient, independence
Revision
- To explain how major urban areas are connected by road and rail
Week 6
Outcome
- To recognise man-made landmarks of South America
Vocabulary
- historic, architectural, attractions, ruins
Revision
- To define the terms immigration, emigration, migration and internal migration
Week 1
Outcome
- To discuss and compare the economic activity between North and South America
Vocabulary
- farming, industry, mining, economy, livestock
Revision
- To explain why tourists come to the UK and know major airports
Week 2
Outcome
- To recognise and compare the resources used in North and South America
Vocabulary
- culture, pre-colonial, history, diet, industry, international, religion
Revision
- To explain which food is most suited to being farmed in the climate of the UK
Week 3
Outcome
- Essay: To compare and contrast the landscapes and landmarks of North and South America (both natural and man-made)
Vocabulary
- landscape, mountain, natural, man-made, history
Revision
- To know the main landscape features in the UK
Week 4
Outcome
- Essay: To compare and contrast the landscapes and landmarks of North and South America (both natural and man-made)
Vocabulary
- landscape, mountains, natural, man-made, history
Revision
- To locate main rivers in the UK
Week 5
Outcome
- To identify and locate the major cities within Brazil
Vocabulary
- reference, location, cities, Brasilia, hollow, continent
Revision
- To explain what the coast of the UK is like
Week 6
Outcome
- To identify the natural landmarks of Brazil
Vocabulary
- mountain, statue, Brasilia, natural, historical, Lencois National Park, Sugar Loaf Mountain
Revision
- To describe the weather in the UK and compare to other global locations
Week 1
Outcome
- To identify man-made landmarks of Brazil
Vocabulary
- Sao Paulo Cathedral, Christ the Redeemer, Brasillia Cathedral
Revision
- To examine the physical landscape of the UK
Week 2
Outcome
- To examine the different climates in Brazil
Vocabulary
- comparison, climate, range, temperature, landscape
Revision
- To compare the physical landscape of the UK Brazil
Week 3
Outcome
- To describe the land-use in Brazil and how it has changed over time
Vocabulary
- fertile, pull factor, push factor, urban, rural, natural hazards
Revision
- To examine the weather in the UK
Week 4
Outcome
- To describe the lives of people across different parts of Brazil (Comparing the lives of the rich and poor in Rio)
Vocabulary
- poverty line, favela, essential resources
Revision
- To examine the distribution of people in the UK
Week 5
Outcome
- To describe the lives of the indigenous people living in the Amazon rainforest and the threats they may face
Vocabulary
- migration, Amazon, threat, indigenous, Awa Tribe
Revision
- To discuss why people may move to the UK
Week 6
Outcome
- migration, Amazon, threat, indigenous, Awa Tribe
Vocabulary
- primary, secondary, tertiary, trade, unemployment
Revision
- To locate and describe the country of Brazil
Week 7
Outcome
- To compare the lifestyle and cultures in Brazil to the UK
Vocabulary
- population, diverse culture, religions
Comparing and Contrasting The Americas
The National Curriculum requires that children learn about a region of the Americas. Building upon the knowledge of longitude and latitude that they gained in Year 3, children in Year 4 develop this to include an understanding of the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
Year 4 begin by exploring the two continents that comprise the Americas. Building upon their prior knowledge in Year 3 about longitude and latitude, they compare the many varied climate zones of the twin continents.
The differences between human and physical geography are once again explored. The children use an exploration of Natural features that have been used to form human boundaries such as Niagra Falls to contrast the difference between human and physical and how this information is displayed on maps showing the relief of the land and a political map.
Brazil
Studying Brazil, gives children an opportunity to learn about a country with different human and physical features compared to their previous learning of the UK and Europe. In particular, children consider the existence of favelas and touch upon the push and pull factors that lead to urbanisation and internal migration. They can link this to the competing priorities of rainforest stakeholders from the previous topics.
Children are encouraged to question their preconceptions regarding the wealth of countries and their citizens and to use data to support their understanding.
Biomes – Rainforest
Ending the year with a topic on Rainforests, children will learn of the global significance of the Amazonian region and the importance of rainforest regions across the globe. Children understand the competing priorities of different stakeholders in the Amazonian region. For example, the competing demands of indigenous hunter gatherer societies, the logging industry, the mining industry, tourists and other local both rural and urban. They will consider and debate the merits of ‘development’ and ‘conservation’.
As with volcanoes, they are able to use diagrams to explain the structure of the layers of a tropical rainforest and maps to identify regions with rainforests. They will use globes to explore the link between latitude, climate and the location of rainforests.
Y4 – Autumn
Comparing and Contrasting the Americas
Y4 – Spring
Brazil
Y4 – Summer
Biomes — Rainforest
Year 5
Week 1
Outcome
- To know the water cycle and its features
Vocabulary
- evaporation, condensation, precipitation, accumulation
Revision
- To name regions of the Americas and locate the countries of North and South America
Week 2
Outcome
- To understand the process of evaporation and transpiration
Vocabulary
- vapour, molecules, humidity, hygrometer
Revision
- To recognise key characteristics of the biomes of the Americas
Week 3
Outcome
- To understand the process of condensation and precipitation
Vocabulary
- atmosphere, cloud nuclei, contrails, hail, snow, uneven rainfall
Revision
- To relate latitude as a key factor affecting climate and biomes
Week 4
France residential and Harvest Festival rehearsal
Week 5
Outcome
- To understand the process of accumulation and river basin
Vocabulary
- infiltration, interception, run-off, water stores, watershed, gravity
Revision
- To compare coasts of UK and the Americas
Week 6
Outcome
- To examine where water is stored and what it is used for
Vocabulary
- surface water, ice caps, glaciers, glaciers, consumption, desalination
Revision
- To examine where water is stored and how humans are influenced by the water cycle
Week 7
Outcome
- To assess knowledge and understanding of the water cycle
Vocabulary
- source, upper course, river basin, mouth
Revision
- To recognise some of the natural landmarks and landscapes of Central America
Week 1
Outcome
- To describe the structure of a river
Vocabulary
- source, width, structure, location, landform
Revision
- To recognise some of the natural landmarks and landscapes of South America
Week 2
Outcome
- To interpret and locate the River Roding and its environment
- Epping Forest fieldwork
Geographical skills
- Using OS maps and recognising places on maps at different scales
Vocabulary
- abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition
Week 3
Outcome
- To identify different forms of river erosion
Vocabulary
- oxbow lakes, waterfalls, gorges, estuaries, deltas
Revision
- To examine types of settlements in the Americas
Week 4
Outcome
- To describe a range of river formations
Vocabulary
- tides, salt marsh, dunes, cliffs
Revision
- To recognise man made landmarks of North America
Week 5
Outcome
- To identify and examine the different features of coast
Geographical Skills
- Analyse evidence and draw conclusions using photos and maps
Vocabulary
- coastal erosion, longshore drift, protection
Revision
- To recognise man made landmarks of South America
Week 6
Outcome
- To understand how coasts are changed through coastal erosion
Vocabulary
- erosion, bays, headlands, longshore drift, boulder clay
Revision
- To discuss economic activity in North America
Week 7
Outcome
- To examine how flooding affects humans and the environment
Vocabulary
- flash floods, upstream, barriers, sediment
Revision
- To assess knowledge and understanding of rivers and coasts
Week 1
Outcome
- To compare and contrast a range of river flood defences
Vocabulary
- formation, inlet, bay, cliffs, sediment
Revision
- To discuss misconceptions in rivers and coasts assessment
Week 2
Outcome
- To understand the concept of population and settlement
Vocabulary
- continent, density, rural, urban, distribution
Revision
- To discuss economic activity in South America
Week 3
Outcome
- To define the term population and explain how it changes
Vocabulary
- expectancy, births, deaths, population
Revision
- To compare and contrast sport, culture, food and drink of North America and South America
Week 4
Outcome
- To analyse population structure using population pyramids
Geographical Skills
- Record evidence unaided. Analyse evidence and draw conclusions.
Vocabulary
- middle-age, balance, birth rate, millions
Revision
- To identify the main physical features of Brazil and three major cities
Week 5
Outcome
- To compare the demographics of different countries
Geographical skills
- Record evidence unaided. Analyse evidence and draw conclusions
Vocabulary
- lifestyle, comparison, wealth, population
Revision
- To identify the main physical features of Brazil and three major cities
Week 6
Outcome
- To know the term migration and explain reasons for migration to the UK (London)
Vocabulary
- migration, lifestyle, demographic, urban opportunities
Revision
- To know the geographical regions of Brazil and six major ecosystems in Brazil
Week 1
Outcome
- To identify the distribution of resources across the world
Geographical skills
- To select a map for a specific purpose (Atlas for resources)
Vocabulary
- imports, exports, resources, distribution, trade
Revision
- To identify the natural landmarks of Brazil
Week 2
Outcome
- To identify a range of settlements
Vocabulary
- resources, distribution, farming, supply, demand
Revision
- To describe the main push/pull factors in land use in Brazil
Week 3
Outcome
- To compare and contrast a range of settlement layouts
Geographical skills
- To analyse evidence and draw comparisons (photos and map work)
Vocabulary
- early settlements, safety, defence, transport, resources, centre, density, limits, efficient, linear
Revision
- To compare the lives of different people in different areas of Rio De Janeiro
Week 4
Outcome
- To analyse how settlements change over time
Vocabulary
- rural, gentrification, regeneration, urban, inhabitants
Revision
- To compare the similarities and differences between the lives of the indigenous people and other people living in Brazil
Week 5
Outcome
- Case study: To discuss the settlement of London as the capital city of England
Vocabulary
- To describe the threats facing the indigenous people of Brazil
Revision
- To describe the threats facing the indigenous people of Brazil
Week 6
Outcome
- To assess knowledge and understanding of population and settlement
Revision
- To examine and evaluate Brazilian climate data
Week 1
Outcome
- To describe the three main climates of Europe
Vocabulary
- Europe, landscape, Mediterranean, polar, temperate
Revision
- To define the term biome
Week 2
Outcome
- To identify the countries of Western Europe
Geographical skills
- To use the 8 compass points to locate
Vocabulary
- Europe, Western, ocean, peninsula
Revision
- To know that there are different types of forest (boreal/taiga, deciduous, temperate rainforest and tropical rainforest)
Week 3
Outcome
- To identify the countries of Northern Europe
Geographical skills
- To use the 8 compass points to locate. Map work – identifying significant places
Vocabulary
- Europe, Northern, Baltic, Scandinavia, Nordic
Revision
- To describe the location of the three largest rainforests in the world
Week 4
Outcome
- To identify the countries of Eastern Europe
Geographical skills
- To use the 8 compass points to locate. Map work – identifying significant places
Vocabulary
- Europe, Eastern, nuclear power, transcontinental, country
Revision
- To compare the climate and rainfall of temperate and tropical rainforests
Week 5
Outcome
- To identify the countries of Central Europe
Geographical skills
- To use the 8 compass points to locate. Map work – identifying significant places
Vocabulary
- Europe, central, Alps, delta, coastline
Revision
- To compare the climate and rainfall of temperate and tropical rainforests
Week 6
Outcome
- To identify the countries of Southern Europe
Geographical skills
- To use the 8 compass points to locate. Map work – identifying significant places
Vocabulary
- Roman Empire, coastline, mountainous, Balkan Peninsula, hydroelectric
Week 1
Outcome
- To describe the physical characteristics found in Europe
- To assess knowledge and understanding of Europe
Vocabulary
- mountainous, landforms, natural vegetation
Revision
- To compare grasslands and savannahs of the Serengeti
Week 2
Outcome
- To describe the human characteristics found in Europe
Vocabulary
- cities, communication, population, economy, trade
Revision
- To describe the climate and landscape of deserts, tundra and ice biomes
Week 3
Outcome
- Essay: What features of Europe attract tourists to visit?
Vocabulary
- human, physical, tourism, landmarks, population, continent, comparison, features
Revision
- To compare and contrast The Sahara Desert and Antarctica
Week 4
Outcome
- Essay: What features of Europe attract tourists to visit?
Vocabulary
- human, physical, tourism, landmarks, population, continent, comparison, features
Revision
- To be able to identify polar, temperate and tropical oceans
Week 5
Outcome
- Essay: What physical features of Europe attract tourists to visit
Vocabulary
- human, physical, tourism, landmarks, population, continent, comparison, features
Revision
- To examine the natural resources and threats to the Great Barrier Reef
Week 6
Outcome
- To recall key knowledge about Europe and compare it to another continent
Vocabulary
- Ordinance survey, key, symbols, navigate
Revision
- To compare Brazil to a country in Europe
Week 7
Outcome
- To create and use a map to navigate around a place in Europe
Geographical skills
- To draw a sketch map using symbols and a key
Vocabulary
- Ordinance survey, key, symbols, navigate
Revision
- To define urbanisation
Rivers and the Water Cycle
Year 5 start with the topic of rivers which builds upon children’s prior knowledge of physical features. Children will be able to draw upon their knowledge of the Amazon from Year 4. In keeping with their previous focus in Year 4 on the Americas, children undertake a case study of the Mississippi river which enables them to analytically write at length.
Children build upon their ability to present information in the most appropriate way using maps and diagrams as appropriate through mapping the location of key rivers in the UK but also describing the process at work in a river from the three courses to, erosion and waterfalls, to the formation of ox-bow lakes.
The river topic also gives children the ability to consolidate their understanding of key geographical vocabulary from Key Stage 1 in addition to Lower Key Stage 2 such as: longitude, latitude, equator, climate and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. During this topic children learn the names of key UK rivers.
Population and Settlement
The topic of population and settlement with a case study of London also includes the River Thames as an important artery in our nation’s capital.
Children progress from presenting geographical information using maps and diagrams to presenting data, specifically data relating to air pollution. Children build upon their prior learning of the push and pull factors which influence migration. They expand their knowledge of the human geographical characteristics of an area to encompass economic and social factors.
Europe
Building on their Year 3 learning about the UK, children will learn more about the continent to which the UK belongs. They will appreciate the difference between the meaning of ‘Europe’ when used to refer to a continent through the lens of physical geography and the human, political concept of Europe and the EU.
The children will explore the different climate regions – building upon their work on latitude from Year 4.
They will explore the uncertainty over Europe’s eastern border by looking at countries which straddle continents: Turkey and Russia. They will encounter new terminology such as exclave, enclave and colony to explore such regions as Gibraltar, Kaliningrad, the Vatican City, the Canary Islands and Reunion. Appreciating the relationship that Europe has with its mediterranean neighbours in North Africa and the Middle East, they will explore how waterways are so often the key to trade.
Building upon the work they have done with Equaliteach, they will look at how conflict, and economic and environmental disparities between Europe and its neighbours drives often treacherous immigration to Europe.
Y5 – Autumn
Rivers and the Water Cycle
Y5 – Spring
Population and Settlement with a London Case Study
Y5 – Summer
Europe
Year 6
Week 1
Outcome
- To explain what is meant by the term trade
Vocabulary
- import, export, commodity, local, national
Revision
- To label the water cycle and its features
Week 2
Outcome
- To recall the UK’s top exports
Vocabulary
- export, materials, surplus, sectors
Revision
- To understand the process of condensation and precipitation
Week 3
Outcome
- To recall the UK’s top imports
Vocabulary
- grown, manufacture, overseas, materials
Revision
- To understand the process of condensation and precipitation
Week 4
Outcome
- To compare the imports and exports in the UK
Vocabulary
- plotting, value, trade, deficit
Revision
- To understand the process of accumulation and river basin
Week 5
Outcome
- To identify the UK’s top trading partners
Working geographically
- To use map work to identify countries and trade routes
Vocabulary
- trade route, location, products, exchange
Revision
- To examine where water is stored and what it is used for
Week 6
Outcome
- To evaluate the benefits of the global food trade
Vocabulary
- atlas, export, variety, choice, economy
Revision
- To explain how humans influence and are influenced by the water cycle
Week 7
Outcome
- To assess my knowledge and understanding of trade
Vocabulary
- trade, economy, trade links, import, export
Revision
- To describe the structure of a river
Outcome
- Holiday destinations (2)
- Consolidate simple opinions and how to give reasons
Week 1
Outcome
- To analyse the stages of the Global Supply Chain
Vocabulary
- competitive, profit, environmental, agriculture
Revision
- To identify different forms of river erosion
Week 2
Outcome
- To define ‘Fair Trade’ and explain why it is a necessity
Vocabulary
- equality, sustainable, LEDC’s, farmers
Revision
- To describe a range of river formations
Week 3
Outcome
- Case study: To explain how trade has changed throughout history
Vocabulary
- communities, Palaeolithic, nomadic, merchant, Mesolithic, Neolithic
Revision
- To identify and examine the different types of coast
Week 4
Outcome
- Case study: To explain how trade has changed throughout history
- To assess my knowledge and understanding of trade
Vocabulary
- technology, communication, transport, buyers, sellers
Revision
- To understand how coasts are changed by coastal erosion
Week 5
Outcome
- Essay: Is trade simply the exchange of items?
Vocabulary
- global supply, Fair Trade, merchants, technology, trade links, internet, global, economy, history, surplus, exchange, agreement
Revision
- To examine how flooding affects humans and the environment
Week 6
Outcome
- Essay: Is trade simply the exchange of items?
Vocabulary
- global supply, Fair Trade, merchants, technology, trade links, internet, global, economy, history, surplus, exchange, agreement
Revision
- To compare and contrast a range of flood defences for rivers
Week 7
Outcome
- Essay: Is trade simply the exchange of items?
Vocabulary
- global supply, Fair Trade, merchants, technology, trade links, internet, global, economy, history, surplus, exchange, agreement
Revision
- To identify how humans use the resources of rivers and coasts
Week 1
Outcome
- To identify the major mountain ranges on earth
Vocabulary
- summit, peak, base, sea level
Revision
- To understand the concept of population and settlement
Week 2
Outcome
- To compare the location of mountains across the world
Vocabulary
- Everest, Mont Blanc, plates, boundary
Revision
- To define the term population and explain how it changes
Week 3
Outcome
- To explain the formation of mountains
Vocabulary
- plates, crust, convection currents, movement
Revision
- To analyse population structure using population pyramids
Week 4
Outcome
- To recall the features of mountains
Vocabulary
- volcanic, hotspots, plates, extinct, collision, Altiplano, basins
Revision
- To consider the different ways of living between countries
Week 5
Outcome
- To analyse how mountains change over time
Vocabulary
- water, erosion, temperature, glaciers, landslides, caves
Revision
- To know the term migration and explain reasons for migration to the UK (London)
Week 6
Outcome
- To identify and compare mountains in Europe
Vocabulary
- Europe, Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Ben Nevis
Revision
- To identify the distribution of resources across the world
Week 1
Outcome
- To compare the climates of mountains
Vocabulary
- peaks, shadows, seasons, oxygen, survival
Revision
- To identify a range of settlements
Week 2
Outcome
- To compare the Biomes of mountains
Vocabulary
- biome height, tundra, taiga, temperate, grassland, conditions, adaptions
Revision
- To compare and contrast a range of settlement layouts
Week 3
Outcome
- To explain what life is like for those living in a mountain
Vocabulary
- conditions, altitude, activities, exploration, threats
Revision
- To analyse how settlements change over time
Week 4
Outcome
- To identify resources produced from mountainous areas
Vocabulary
- construction, marble, granite, mining, unstable, economy
Revision
- To describe the three main climates of Europe
Week 5
Outcome
- Essay: What is it like to live on a mountain?
Vocabulary
- formation, location, climate, biome
Revision
- To identify the countries of Western Europe
Week 6
Outcome
- Essay: What is it like to live on a mountain?
Vocabulary
- resources, altitude, benefits, drawbacks
Revision
- To identify the countries of Northern Europe
Week 1
Outcome
- To recognise there a different types of natural resources and how they are processed
Vocabulary
- income, extracted, processing, export
Revision
- To identify the countries of Eastern Europe
Week 2
Outcome
- To explain the purpose of mining
Vocabulary
- construction, surface mining, underground, processing, environment
Revision
- To identify the countries of Central Europe
Week 3
Outcome
- To understand ways that wood and trees are used as a natural resource
Vocabulary
- processing, deforestation, replanting, biodiversity, carbon dioxide
Revision
- To identify the countries of Southern Europe
Week 4
SATs week
Week 5
Outcome
- To recognise water as a natural resource
Vocabulary
- household, agriculture, income, drought, reduction, access
Revision
- To describe the physical characteristics found in Europe
Week 6
Outcome
- To understand how food is used as a natural resource
Vocabulary
- hunter-gatherers, livestock, grains, import, export, quality sharing
Revision
- To describe the human characteristics found in Europe
Week 1
Outcome
- To understand issues around fishing
Vocabulary
- species, overfishing, population, consequences, solutions
Revision
- To identify European landmarks that encourage tourists
Week 2
Outcome
- To describe the purpose and extraction of fossil fuels
Vocabulary
Revision
- To compare South America with Europe
Week 3
Rhos y Gwaliau
Week 4
Outcome
- To state the benefits of renewable energy sources
Vocabulary
- sunlight, biomass, geothermal energy, habitats
Revision
- To describe the difference in climate in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Week 5
Outcome
- To analyse and explain the importance of waste management
Vocabulary
- landfill, biodegradable, recycling, nuclear, greenhouse gases
Revision
- To locate places on a map using a key and symbols
Week 6
Outcome
- To describe how places can become more environmentally friendly
Vocabulary
- environmental, energy, transport, density
Revision
- To locate and name the world’s continents and capital cities
Week 6
Outcome
- To assess my knowledge and understanding around the Earth’s resources and how they are utilised
Vocabulary
- natural resources, environment, recycling, extraction consequences
Revision
- To define the term economy
Trade and Supply
Year 6 start with an exploration of trade and economics. Consolidating and expanding upon their understanding of the relationship between longitude and climate, children consider the stages of the Global Supply Chain and why certain products are imported and exported based.
They explore which certain regions are better suited to producing certain crops. They also consider the damage that the desire to use cash crops to boost the economy can have on a region’s ecology and human geography. Children understand the competing priorities of different stakeholders and the reasons for Fair Trade.
Building upon their statistics work in Mathematics from Year 5, they appreciate how data can be represented differently and that data published by different organisations can vary because of divergences in their methodology.
Children build upon their ability to present information in the most appropriate way using diagrams to describe trade.
Mountains
Diagrams are also key to the representation of the processes at work in mountains.
Children will build upon their prior knowledge (learnt in Year 3) of volcanoes, and the processes which form continents to understand where mountains are located.
They will build upon their work in Year 5, looking at rivers to appreciate how mountains can be carved into gorges over thousands of years.
They will consider the importance of glaciers.
Earth’s Resources
Having already looked at how Earth’s resources are traded, the children discover where these traded resources are located.
Y6 – Autumn
Trade and Economy
Y6 – Spring
Mountains
Y6 – Summer
Earth’s Resources