Geography

At Knowsley Village School we believe that geography is all about exploring the world around us – learning about different places, cultures, and environments. It helps us understand how people live, how landscapes are formed, and how we can take care of our planet. At our school, we follow the National Curriculum supported by Curriculum Maestro to ensure that all our pupils have a fun, engaging, and informative geography education.

Our geography lessons are designed to be both exciting and educational. We use a variety of teaching methods to bring the world to life, including:

• Interactive Maps: Pupils will learn how to read and use different types of maps, from world maps to local area maps. We’ll explore continents, countries, and key landmarks while practicing essential map-reading skills such as understanding symbols, directions, and scale.
• Virtual Tours: Sometimes, we take a ‘trip’ to far-away places by using virtual technology to explore different parts of the world. Whether it’s the bustling streets of a city, the vast Sahara Desert, or the icy landscapes of Antarctica, we aim to spark curiosity about the world.
• Creative Projects: Geography is not just about facts – it’s about being creative! Pupils may design their own maps, create 3D models of physical features like mountains and rivers, or work on art projects based on different countries and cultures.

Fieldwork and Exploration

Fieldwork is a key part of geography at our school. We believe learning about the world is best done when we go out and experience it first-hand. Fieldwork involves investigating our local area and beyond to discover how human and physical features shape the world we live in. Some examples of fieldwork we might do include:

• Local Walks and Surveys: We explore the local environment to see how people use land, what physical features are around us (such as rivers, parks, or woodlands), and how communities are built. Pupils may conduct surveys or observations to gather data about how the land is used and how it changes over time.
• Weather and Climate Studies: Pupils will take part in weather observations, measuring temperature, rainfall, and wind direction. This fieldwork helps them understand climate zones, weather patterns, and how people adapt to their environment.

Human and Physical Features of the World

In geography, we study both human and physical features of the world.

• Physical Features: These are natural features of the Earth, such as mountains, rivers, oceans, deserts, and forests. We learn about how these features are formed, their importance to the environment, and how they affect people’s lives.
• Human Features: These include things created by humans, such as cities, roads, buildings, and bridges. We explore how human activities shape the landscape, how settlements develop, and how people interact with the environment. We’ll also look at how different cultures, languages, and traditions shape different parts of the world..

Map Reading Skills

Learning how to read and understand maps is an essential skill in geography. Our pupils learn a variety of map-reading skills, including:

• Understanding Symbols: Children learn how to interpret map symbols, such as those for roads, buildings, parks, and bodies of water. Learning these symbols helps children make sense of the world.
• Grid References: Also learning how to use grid references to locate places on maps. This skill helps them navigate not just maps but also real-world environments.
• Using Compass Directions: Understanding the four main compass directions (North, South, East, West) is vital for map reading. We also introduce intermediate directions (e.g., North-East, South-West) to give children more precision in finding places.
• Creating Maps: Children have opportunities to design and draw their own maps, applying the skills they’ve learned. This helps them understand both the practical and creative aspects of geography.

At Knowsley Village we believe geography isn’t just about learning facts – it’s about understanding our world and the people who live in it. It helps us appreciate different cultures, learn how we can protect our environment, and understand global issues like climate change, migration, and sustainability. Through geography, our pupils develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential in every area of life.