Intent
The geography curriculum at GM School is designed to create and answer questions about both the natural and human worlds. Students we teach love to learn geography and become empathetic, critical and knowledgeable about the world around them.
Implementation
We teach students the knowledge & skills needed to be good geographers:
- Understanding of locations and places
- Understanding of patterns processes and environmental change
- Competence in geographical enquiry
- Ability to interpret and analyse geographical information
- Communicate showing high levels of fluency, articulation and complex vocabulary.
EYFS
In EYFS, children learn to talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles and societies. They describe their immediate environment using maps and observation, and are exposed to geographical thinking through story and role-play. They learn about similarities and differences between different communities and compare life in this country with life in other countries.
KS1/KS2
Geography is taught as a discrete subject each alternate half term but where relevant, links are forged and deepened through other subjects. Our children know when they are ‘doing’ Geography.
To excite and engage pupils, we use a range of sources and experiences. These include maps, globes, artefacts, visitors, workshops, field trips, videos, books, drama and stories. As with our core subjects, we use our feedback and marking policy to inform next steps so that all pupils make progress.
Engaging and inclusive geography lessons are planned so that all pupils learn and develop a love for the subject. The curriculum follows the National Curriculum, making use of the United Learning programme of study. Geography is a rich source of cultural capital and the range of Geography activities we have both within and outside of lessons reflects the value we place on this. Pupils complete a pre- and post- unit assessment to support teachers to adapt the curriculum as required.
Enrichment
Our Calendar of Events includes regular Geography activities and quizzes, designed to promote excitement and embed knowledge. We also have a number of inspiring Geography trips and visitors organised throughout the year.
What can you do at home?
- Share stories and photographs about the past from personal experiences, including those from other countries
- Engage children with planning day trips e.g. knowing the tube map, using a SatNav, reading road signs on car journey
- Add a children’s atlas to their bookshelf – and look at it together
- Explore different types of interactive digital maps. Find your home on a satellite map and plot your route to school!
- Watch documentaries like Blue Planet II together
- Use the excellent (and free) lesson videos available at Oak National Academy
- Explore the wonderful resources available on BBC Bitesize
- Display a world map and refer to it daily when listening to/watching the news, talking about sport, animals etc. Challenge each other to find certain countries as quickly as possible.
- Choose children’s TV with Geography in mind. We love the Go Jetters!
More TV recommendations:
- Where in the World (CBeebies)
- Octonauts (CBeebies)
- Green Balloon Club (CBeebies)
- Andy’s Wild Adventures (CBeebies)
- What’s on Your Plate (CBeebies)
- Newsround (CBBC)
- Planet Earth (BBC)
- Blue Planet (BBC)
- Blue Planet II (BBC)
- Deadly 60 (CBBC)
- Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures (CBBC)
- Blow Your Mind (CBBC)
- Blue Peter (CBBC)
- Ted Ed