Why do we teach Geography?
We teach Geography to inspire our children to become reflective, inquisitive learners and excellent global citizens.
Geography is fundamentally about understanding the world, both its physical environments (land, air, water, and ecology) and human environments (societies and communities). By thinking, speaking, and writing like a Geographer, pupils broaden their minds and develop a deep appreciation for the diversity of countries and cultures in the world around them and beyond. This learning nurtures an understanding that we all share the same planet, highlighting what makes us similar as well as what makes us different.
How do we teach Geography?
The Geography curriculum at Great Marsden is based on the National Curriculum but is carefully tailored to develop each child's understanding of their place in the wider world. Our pupils begin by exploring their local area, then progressively broaden their understanding of where their home town sits within the UK, Europe, and the world. They have opportunities to contrast their locality with others around the globe. We ensure a robust curriculum that develops substantive and disciplinary knowledge, enabling children to grasp the who, what, where, when, and how of geographical understanding.
Pupils engage in a variety of teaching approaches, such as whole-class lessons, group, paired and individual work are experienced by pupils during their lessons, fostering a cooperative learning environment.
Learning is brought to life through the use of primary sources like fieldwork and secondary sources such as digital and physical maps, atlases, globes, photographs, and books.
The curriculum deliberately provides opportunities to reflect upon both human and physical features and, crucially, to evaluate the impact humanity has upon our planet.