Geography curriculum statement

In Geography, our intention at Maplefields is to give our pupils the opportunity to:

• Develop communication skills through discovering contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places, including defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes.
• Promote a sense of independence by interpreting a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems.
• We want to allow children to identify their self-worth by understanding the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world. They will also be able to understand how these processes bring about spatial variation and change over time.
• Children will build healthy relationships through collecting, analysing and communicating a range of data that is gathered together through experiences of fieldwork and learning outside of the classroom, that deepen their understanding of geographical processes.
• Incorporate cross-curricular skills such as comprehension through school agreed programmes (Talk 4 Writing and Read, Write, Inc.). They will be able to communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

Primary - Geography is incorporated to cross-curricular topics. History and Geography are the main alternating subjects studied. For example, a topic on Italy would be geography based looking at the human and physical features, language, customs and traditions of the country of focus; the History element would be encompassed in a study of the Romans and their impact on Britain. The cross-curricular activities also may include Music, Art, DT and Cooking.

KS1: The key skills focused on in key stage 1 are to enquire and investigate by using books to identify similarities and differences between different places. We also focus on following directions and map work, with a focus on compass work, map drawing and making routes. We also build upon locational knowledge skills and being able to distinguish between human and physical geography. These skills will be revisited throughout the year through topics such as seaside, castles and knights and circus.

KS2: The key skills focused on in key stage 2 are map-making with locational knowledge in mind, human and physical geography including links to the water cycle and biomes. We also want to build upon enquiry and investigation skills through conflicting demands on the environment, comparing and contrasting different places. These skills will be repeated throughout the year within topics such as USA, Romans and Italy, Anglo Saxons, World War 2, Rainforests, Australia, Mountains, Egypt, The Greeks, The Vikings, rivers and coasts and capital cities.

These topics are on a two-year rolling rota and spread out across the year to ensure a recap of skill-based teaching and the best attempt of cross curricular learning.

KS3:

Yr7 – We start with “what is Geography?” exploring the different types of Geography and how they are studied. The units of study are: Weather and Climate, River Flooding, Ordnance Survey maps and finishing with Key skills: writing and photographs in term 6 Urbanisation

Yr 8/9 Cycle A – We start with “Environmental regions” then move on to Plate tectonics, Resources and the Environment, China- the emerging nation and finishing in term 6 with International development.

Yr 8/9 Cycle B – We start with Rivers, coasts and glaciation then move to Economic activity, Population, India and Asia and finish in term 6 with World Issues including climate change.