Mitton Manor Primary School
Mitton Manor Primary School
Geography
Geography
At Mitton Manor, Geography is about understanding the world. We do this by comparing locations; investigating; researching different sources; writing and talking about places; asking and answering questions. We aim to make our Geography lessons a balance between map work, fieldwork and other practical activities.
Early Years
The Early Learning goals at EYFS aim to guide children into making sense of their physical world and community. At Mitton Manor, we teach Geography through Understanding the World by exploring, observing, and finding out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Key Stage 1
During Years 1 and 2 at Mitton Manor, the children will begin to develop geographical vocabulary by learning about where they live, as well as one other small area of the United Kingdom and a small area in a contrasting non-European country. They will learn about weather patterns in the United Kingdom and hot and cold areas of the world. They will use ICT, world maps, atlases and globes, simple compass directions, aerial photographs and plans, as well as simple fieldwork and observational skills.
Key Stage 2
In Years 3 to 6, Geographical teachings are broken into four key areas:
- Geographical Skills and Fieldwork
- Locational Knowledge
- Human and Physical Geography
- Place Knowledge
Through these areas of learning, children will also continue to develop their understanding of practical geographical skills, building on KS1 knowledge, through fieldwork where they will learn to use atlases and digital/computerised mapping. They will be able to use an eight-point compass and be confident in using four-six point grid referencing. Children will also develop their geographical vocabulary.
Locational knowledge examines latitude, longitude and time zones. Children will use maps to focus on Europe, North and South America, concentrating on regions, key physical / human characteristics, countries, and major cities. They will also work on locating the counties and cities of the United Kingdom, and start to explore their human and physical characteristics.
For human and physical geography, children will be taught to describe and understand key aspects of geography, for example: climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, the water cycle, types of settlement, economic activity and the distribution of natural resources.
As part of the place knowledge area, Children also examine geographical similarities and differences by comparing the geography of a region of the United Kingdom with a region in a European country, and with a region in either North or South America.
Important Geography Curriculum Documents
How can you support your child with Geography at home?
There are many ways you can help your child develop their Geographical understanding.
You can help your child by chatting about local physical features, attractions and activities when you’re around your local area. You might even like to develop this idea by asking them to provide a tourist guide for their local area for visiting relatives.
Holidays also provide an opportunity for a museum visit or a trip to a tourist attraction. If you are lucky enough to go on holiday, you can ask your child to compare the location with their home area — you might ask your child to talk through five similarities and differences, for example.
On a journey, you can share the road map or map phone app with your children so they can follow the route while you talk about where you are going. On the other hand, ask them to draw a map of their journey to school or the local shop, including any natural or man-made features along the way.
Magazines, TV, films and even some computer games can provide your child with a view of distant places. They enable your child to be transported instantly to another place. Prompt their thinking with questions, such as: What might the weather be like in this place? Why might the road have been built where it is? The list of questions is endless and will lead to all sorts of discussions, which will really help to develop curiosity about, and understanding of, the world.
Further support and useful websites
The Geographical Association is the leading organisation supporting geographical teacher in the UK. Their resources are available at:
The BBC Bitesize websites link to videos, games and information a wide range of geographical knowledge:
Ordnance Survey Ordnance Survey general maps.
Street Maps Great Britain A project to represent photographs and information for every square kilometre of Great Britain and Ireland.
Explore the World Explore the World - A journey that takes you all over the world.
Maps Loads of free maps of the world
National Geographic Provides free maps, photos, videos and daily news stories, as well as articles and features about animals, the environment, cultures, history etc.
The Royal Geographical Society has also published a wealth of resources to help teachers and parents: