"The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.” - Barack Obama.
What makes a KS1 Geographer?
Geography at Orchid Vale
Our geography teaching will inspire pupils to be curious about the world and the people in it. They will gain knowledge and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As their understanding deepens, they should gain further insight into the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. They will develop an understanding of the impact that humans have had on our world over time and how they can have an influence on its future. Bringing geography alive and developing fieldwork skills is important at Orchid Vale Primary school.
What makes a KS2 Geographer?
Year 6 enjoying a visit from explorer, Al Sylvester, as part of their "Pole to Pole" topic.
What the children think...
I enjoy Geography because I learn about the world and the places in it.
I like Geography because I like learning about countries.
I like Geography as I get to discover what counties are where, what their cultures are and other facts about them.
I really enjoy Geography at Orchid Vale as we go into it in more detail and we have lots of discussions.
What can Geography lead to?
Supporting your childs' interest in Geography can lead to many exciting career opportunities, including:
- Cartographer
- Commercial/residential surveyor
- Environmental consultant
- Geographical information systems officer
- Planning and development surveyor
- Secondary school teacher
- Social researcher
- Town planner
How can you support your child?
- Out on a walk
When out in your local area, you can help your child by chatting about the physical and human features in the surrounding area. Physical features are natural and human features are made by people.
- On a journey
You can share the road map on your phone, sat nav or map. They could follow the route while you talk about where you are going.
- Holidays
Use trips away to compare the location with your local area. You might ask your child to talk through five similarities and differences they can spot!
- Magazines, TV or films
Anything that can provide a view of distant places. Prompt their thinking with questions such as: What might the weather be like in this place? Why might the road have been built where it is?
The list goes on! All questions will lead to variety of discussions which really help to develop curiosity about the world.
Other resources
BBC Bitesize websites link to videos, games and information on a wide range of geographical knowledge:
- Key Stage 1
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zcdqxnb
- Key Stage 2:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zbkw2hv
Kids-World-Travel-Guide is a place where you can see the world through children’s eyes, take part in many geographical quizzes and learn an abundance of facts about the world.
https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/geography-facts.html
