National Curriculum Knowledge Coverage

A range of stimulating geography topics are taught at Granard, which ensure coverage of the National Curriculum.  Each year group study three units of geography per year (see Curriculum Topic Map and Geography Summary).  Many of these units link to English lessons and a key text.

In KS1, children begin to use maps and recognise physical and human features to do with the local area, building up to using maps to explore the continents and oceans of the world in Year 2. Further, in Year 2, children will begin to compare where they live to places outside of Europe and ask and answer geographical questions.  In KS2, map skills are developed further using digital maps, more keys and symbols and children begin to use more fieldwork skills.  Through revisiting and consolidating skills, lessons and resources help children build on prior knowledge alongside introducing new skills and challenge.  Children expand on their skills in local knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography, geographical skills and fieldwork.

Details of the National Curriculum are on the Geography Progression Map, which outlines the sequence of key geographical knowledge and skills from Year 1 through to Year 6:

1. Locational Knowledge

2. Place Knowledge

3. Human and Physical Geography

4. Geographical Skills and Fieldwork

Knowledge Links

Key geographical knowledge and skills for each unit are planned for and taught in a logical sequence, and where necessary re-capped, so that pupils’ understanding is developed and they are able to make links by drawing on prior learning when studying a new topic.

Geographical Skills Progression across school

The lessons are intended to improve children’s geographical vocabulary, map skills and geographical facts and provide opportunities for consolidation, challenge and variety to ensure interest and progress in the subject.

Resources

• Atlases
• A selection of interesting books for each topic on display in classrooms   
• A range of technology including iPads, Chromebooks and VR headsets

Assessment

• Knowledge harvest at beginning of unit: what do pupils know already / what they want to find out
• Opportunities for pupils to self-assess through the unit
• End of unit assessment: what has been remembered
• House quizzes: pupils compete in their houses for the ‘Humanities Cup’
• At the beginning of a new unit: what relevant knowledge has been remembered from prior learning

Helpful Geography Links

  KS1 Geography

  KS2 Geography

Activities and quizzes (For Early Years and KS1)

  Fascinating Facts and Information about Britain