Geography
INTENT
Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography, children learn about their local area and compare their life in that area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography, children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates children to find out about the physical world and enables them to recognise the importance of sustainable development for the future of mankind.
Our aims for Geography are that each child at The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School will have the opportunity:
- To gain knowledge and understanding of places in the world
- To increase children’s knowledge of other cultures, and in doing so, teach a respect and understanding of what it means to be a positive citizen in a multicultural country and world
- To allow children to learn graphic skills, including how to use, draw and interpret maps
- To enable children to know and understand environmental problems at a local, regional and global level
- To encourage in children a commitment to sustainable development and an appreciation of what ‘global citizenship’ means
- To develop a variety of other skills, including those of enquiry, problem-solving, computing, investigation and how to present their conclusions in the most appropriate way
IMPLEMENTATION
We use a variety of teaching and learning styles in our geography lessons.
We believe in whole-class teaching methods and we combine these with enquiry-based research activities. We encourage children to ask as well as answer geographical questions. We offer them the opportunity to use a variety of data, such as maps, statistics, graphs, pictures, and aerial photographs. Wherever possible, we involve the children in ‘real’ geographical concepts , e.g. research of a local environmental problem or use of the Internet to investigate a current issue.
We utilise Kapow resources to support some learning in class and ensure real, current and relevant topics are accessible and brought to life for the children as they know the world around them.
IMPACT
Our Geography curriculum map has been carefully designed to provide a clear and comprehensive coverage of the National Curriculum programmes of study, where skills and concepts are developed clearly across the key stages. This is particularly true of our fieldwork offer, which ensures children experience first-hand the skills and research outlined in the curriculum but within varied and interesting areas, which contrast with our own urban setting eg. woods, seaside , mountains, villages, forests then The Lake District. Careful consideration has been given to visiting and learning about Carlisle and then wider into Cumbria so as they get older, all children learn about their own environment, leading them to know, understand and care for the world around them.