Geography
CO-ORDINATOR: MR R CANNING
OUR INTENT for the Geography curriculum at St Joseph's is that:
all children will develop a deeper understanding of their local environment and the diverse surroundings of the wider world, with an appreciation for the world's human and physical characteristics.
At St Joseph’s, we provide pupils with a progressive and sequential Scheme of Work which has been written by the subject leader to meet the needs of all pupils. It covers the full scope of the geography National Curriculum but is adapted to the needs of the children of St Joseph's - illustratrating ambition for all. Through the teaching of geography, we develop individual’s cultural capital by delving into children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Pupils investigate a range of places using a variety of source such as: fieldwork, maps, photographs and satellite images – both in Britain and in the wider world – to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. We are committed to providing pupils with opportunities to investigate (including fieldwork) and make enquiries about their local area of Aldershot, understanding where it is located in the UK and the wider world. In so doing pupils can develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special. At St Joseph's we understand that Geography is vital to children’s understanding of our physical world (OFSTED 2023, Getting our bearings: Geography subject report).
Teaching of geography starts in Early Years and predominantly takes place in Understanding the World area of learning; however, it is revisited throughout their time in Early Years. EYFS children are exposed to geography in Understanding the World (The Natural World and People, Culture) where children will have the opportunity to:
- Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants;
- Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class;
- Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.
- Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants
- Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawings on their experiences and what has been read in class
- Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.
They also experience this in Understanding the World (People, Culture and Communities) and the children will have the opportunity to:
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Begin to describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps.
- Recognise some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries.
- Explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries, drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and (where appropriate) maps .
Geography is taught in context through a variety of individual, group and whole class activities. Active participation is encouraged through questioning and answering and investigating both primary and secondary resources, giving children memorable experiences, whilst ensuring that key knowledge is transferred to pupils' long-term memory.
See HERE for the Curriculum Overview.
Year 4 Settlement project
Implement:
St Joseph’s aims to implement and develop the following essential characteristics of geographers:
- A knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in Britain and the wider world. (Locational Knowledge)
- A comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected, identifying similarituies and differences. (Place Knowledge)
- As with all subjects, reading is imperative and emphasis is put on developing pupils’ fluency of age appropriate geographical terms. The ability to use appropriate and accurate geographical vocabulary, develops and evolves from EY to KS1 and through to KS2.
- The skills to use and interpret a wide range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes and aerial photographs. (Geographical skills and Fieldwork)
- Pupils should know how to collect, present and analyse data, and how to reach and evaluate conclusions based on this data (OFSTED 2023, Getting our bearings- Geography curriulum report).
- The understanding and ability to describe physical geography such as seasonal and daily weather patterns, climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earth quakes and the water cycle. (Human and Physical Geography)
- The understanding and ability to describe human geography such as types of settlement and land use, economic activity and the distribution of natural resources. (Human and Physical Geography)
- Curriculum enrichment – providing links with other subjects and geography.
Every year group has access to a range of resources including World, European and/or UK maps, globes, pictures and aerial photographs and digimaps, which enables a fun and interactive way of learning for each and every pupil at St Joseph’s.
Year 5: Natural Resources Topic
The Year 5 student were given a challenge to source as much water as they can from around the school without using taps, drinking fountains or their own drinking water. This is part of their 'Natural Resources' topic, where they have been learning about our natural resources and the importance of access to water.'
Early Years - The Early Years children used maps of the school to hunt for the missing robot in the Early Years building and outside area.
Year 1 - The year 1 children presented a weather forecast using all they had learnt about different types of weather and the different parts of the UK.
Year 3 - In year 3 the children used their own miniature weather station to look at weather in their locality.
Updated October 2023