Geography
Intent:
At Riverside Primary School, physical, human and environmental geography are taught through topic areas. The children are encouraged to immerse themselves in a variety of learning opportunities to secure their knowledge of places, processes and geographical skills. School visits and focused activities ensure that the children understand through experience and practical application.
At Riverside, it is our intention that Geography is taught through a cross-curricular topic-based approach. This enables teachers to give a meaningful context for the learning, as well as enabling children to develop skills that are transferable across other areas of the curriculum. Teachers make it explicit to children that they are learning geography skills and that they are being ‘Geographers’.
Geography is important in our school as it provides a means of exploring, appreciating and understanding the world in which we live and how it has evolved. We explore the relationship between Earth and its people. It stimulates curiosity and imagination. Wherever possible, we aim to build upon the child’s ‘Individual Geography’ by developing geographical skills, understanding and knowledge through studying places and themes.
Implementation:
At Riverside, we use the National Curriculum to develop progressive units that are designed to build on prior knowledge and are built upon year on year as the children move up the school to maximise their learning. Learning is adapted to meet the needs of our children and their own experiences. Fieldwork sessions are incorporated into the units of work to actively engage the children in their learning. Children have regular opportunities to explain their Geography understanding through articulacy, as well as in writing.
In Early Years, pupils develop their knowledge through the broad, balanced and progressive learning environment and curriculum. Through Understanding the World, they are able to recognise the similarities and differences between the natural world around them and other experiences through their own experiences, as well as books being read. They look at early map work.
In Key Stage 1, our pupils develop knowledge about their own locality in Rainham, the United Kingdom and the World. They can understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness.
In Key Stage 2, pupils extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom, Europe and other continents throughout the world. This includes the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. Our pupils develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enrich their locational and place knowledge.
Impact:
At Riverside, the children’s learning and understanding is assessed according to age related expectations which directly links with the National Curriculum statements for Geography. This is through formative assessments to ensure that children have a deep understanding of what is being taught and to inform future planning.
Through the implementation of Geography at Riverside, children have strong subject knowledge of places and are able to explain the characteristics of places around the world. They are able to explain how human physical environments are interrelated, as well as using key vocabulary to discuss their learning and understanding. Children at Riverside, develop their Cultural Capital by using geographical enquiry to ask questions and develop a sense of curiosity to find out about the world around them.
Our Subject Leader regularly conducts book monitoring sessions, lesson observations, and pupil voice interviews with the children to discuss their learning and establish the impact throughout the school.
Geography Curriculum Overview
There are many ways you can support your child's learning in geography.
Some useful website links:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/
http://www.ducksters.com/geography/
http://www.geography4kids.com/
Look at this website for Key stage 1 topics and video clips:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zcdqxnb
Key stage 2: