Geography

Here at St. Dominic’s, our principal aim is to provide a high-quality geography education that will inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our teaching will equip pupils with knowledge 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 our children progress, their growing knowledge about the world will help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. The intent for geography at St Dominic’s is to deliver the National Curriculum in an engaging, exciting way. Scroll down to find out more about how we do this! 

Reception

Reception have been looking at maps to help them understand about places, routes and how we move around the world.

Year 1

​In Geography, Year 1 got creative as we made our very own messy maps! Using pens, Lego, and cups and more, the children mapped out the route from St Dominic’s to Westbridge Park, adding landmarks and details in their own imaginative ways. 🗺️🎨

Year 2 

Year 2 have been learning all about the United Kingdom and the wider world. They have explored the capital cities of the UK, the surrounding seas, and different plants and animals that can be found in coastal locations. They have also been identifying hot and cold places on a map, recognising features of hot and cold environments, and comparing different types of weather around the world.

Year 3 

Year 3 have been learning all about the United Kingdom, comparing the different countries, major cities, landscapes, and people that make up the UK. They have explored different industries and energy sources found across the country, including a local case study, and used map work to track the movement of trade. The children have also deepened their understanding of weather, seasons, and climates by identifying lines of latitude, locating climate zones such as the North and South Poles, and comparing different climates around the world. They have investigated climate and vegetation maps and begun to learn about climate change, including how it can affect both people and animals through migration across countries and borders.

Year 4

Year 4 have been learning about mountains and North America. They have explored how mountains are formed, the features and climates of mountains, and famous mountain ranges such as the Andes, Himalayas, and Rocky Mountains. The children have also learned about the eruption of Mount St Helens and the impact of tourism on mountain environments.

As part of their North America topic, they have located countries on a map, compared different landscapes and climates, and explored famous landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. They have also compared New York with where we live and studied features of Mexico and Canada.

Year 5

Year 5 have been learning about coasts, deserts, earthquakes, and volcanoes. They have explored physical and human features of coastal areas, including how headlands, bays, spits, caves, arches, stacks, and stumps are formed, as well as carrying out practical experiments to investigate longshore drift. The children have also studied hot and cold deserts, learning about their climates, formations, and how people survive and use these environments. In addition, they have investigated the structure of the Earth, tectonic plates, earthquakes, and volcanoes, including their effects on people and the environment and the advantages and disadvantages of living near a volcano.

Year 6 

Year 6 have been learning about North America, rainforests, and global trade. They have explored the features and layers of a rainforest, the characteristics of the Congo and the Amazon, and the threats rainforests face from deforestation and human impact. The children have also studied the city of Manaus and learned about trade, including imports, exports, global supply chains, and ethical trade. In addition, they have explored inequality and the work of UNESCO around the world.