Rationale - What has informed our curriculum design in geography?
It is our belief, that at Calstock and Stoke Climsland Schools, the geography curriculum should enable children to be enquiring and critical, developing a deeper understanding of both the physical and human world by engaging with and questioning it: It should empower learners to develop their own opinions based on their burgeoning knowledge, research and contextual understanding. We want our geography curriculum to draw upon, and make full use of, the immediate and wider local area with the aim of enabling children to develop a deep understanding of the rich geography of their locality. We also want to encourage children to think globally and to be outward looking. Therefore, we want our curriculum to promote an understanding of place through an awareness of the interconnectedness of key geographical concepts, processes and systems.
Implementation: How do we teach geography?
Geography at Calstock and Stoke Climsland is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. The subject lead has identified the key knowledge and skills of each topic and sequence of learning, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum. Knowledge organisers have been written for each year group with a particular focus on progression in knowledge in the areas of human and physical geography, as well as geographical skills. Work is recorded in humanities books and floorbooks and can be evidenced in a range of ways, including written pieces, photographs, art work and charts.
Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for and clear links are indicated in half termly planning. There are opportunities for literacy, numeracy and computing skills to be applied in geography lessons. Additional resources used, include the Geographical Association and Royal Society of Geography websites, as well as Digimaps and Google Earth.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ guidance. Geography is taught, shared and assessed through the specific area of Understanding the World (The World and People and Communities).
