Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Our curriculum in action

Year 3 - What can I find out about my local area?

In this unit of work, Year 3 firstly learnt about how their school is in Bishop Auckland which is in County Durham, England. They enjoyed using North, South, East and West to locate England and Bishop Auckland on the Globe and maps. The children found out all about Auckland Castle and Binchester Roman Fort, two human features of Bishop Auckland. They also learnt about the River Wear and River Gaunless to begin their journey into physical features. More than anything the children loved carrying out fieldwork in town to see why people visit Bishop Auckland.

Year 3 - What are my local rivers?

In this unit of work, Year 3 pupils used maps to locate the River Wear and River Gaunless to help them recognise that they flow through Bishop Auckland. They are secure in their knowledge that a river is a physical feature and know that Wearhead is the source and the North Sea is the mouth of the River Wear. The children also learnt that the River Gaunless is a tributary of the River Wear and understand what a confluence and meander is with regards to rivers. Finally, the children enjoyed visiting the river where they made annotated sketches from observations even including direction and position.

Year 4 - What is the North East of England like?

In this unit of work, Year 4 pupils moved their Geography knowledge on to the North-East of England looking at local cities such as Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham. They located these cities on a map and described their location using 8-point compass directions. The children enjoyed learning about and locating two North-Eastern human features: Hadrian’s Wall and The Angel of the North and two North-Eastern physical features: High Force and the Durham Heritage Coast. Further to that, the children used 4 figure grid references to locate these features on OS maps successfully. Thematic maps were also introduced with the children investigating how land is used in the North East.

Year 4 - Where in the world are we?

In this unit of work, Year 4 pupils worked hard on learning about where we are in the world. They improved understanding of the equator and how that splits the earth into the southern and northern hemisphere. Children also began to use lines of latitude and longitude as coordinates to describe positon. After learning the difference between weather and climate, they used a thematic map to find the climate zones of the UK and Antarctica. They then thought of their own geographical questions to compare the UK and Antarctica, thinking about climate, current weather, flora and fauna.

Year 5 - Is it the same all over Europe?

In this unit of work, Year 5 pupils enjoyed studying Europe and its surrounding seas. They know that Europe is made up of many countries and can name Italy, Russia, the UK, Norway, France, Germany and their capital cities. The children can also locate Europe on a globe and range of maps using 8-point compass directions. Thematic maps were used again by the children. This time to look at climates across Europe including Maritime, Mountain, Polar, Mediterranean and Continental. The children enjoyed asking and answering geographical questions around weather differences in European capital cities.

Year 5 - How are mountains and earthquakes formed?

In this unit of work, Year 5 pupils studied Italy and were introduced to both human and physical features of the country such as the River Po, the Apennines, the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The children used both atlases and independent research to locate and find necessary information. Children are now knowledgeable on the four major mountain ranges and how the Alps spread across a range of countries, not only Italy. Children also enjoyed learning about the different parts of a mountain range such as the base, the summit and the snow line and how mountains are formed in particular fold-mountains. Finally, the children used Digimaps to investigate tectonic plates to support their understanding of earthquakes and why they might happen in Italy.

Year 6 - In-depth study of South America

In this unit of work, Year 6 pupils studied South America, its countries, oceans and seas. They showed independence when locating South America on maps, atlases and the globe. Year 6 were also able to show skill when using the 8-point compass to describe direction. Thematic map work was further developed looking again at climate but this time in South America and also population. The children enjoyed researching other aspects of human geography in South America such as life expectancy, health and religion and asking geographical questions around these areas. Finally, they carried out fieldwork to record South American exports to the UK after finding out about trade in some of the different countries including Equador and Brazil.

Year 6 - What is the climate like in America?

In this unit of work, Year 6 pupils used a thematic map to locate areas of rainforest including the Amazon Rainforest, identifying that it is located between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. While studying rainforests, the children learnt the names for the four layers and plants and animals found in each layer. Year 6 also enjoyed learning about biomes and vegetation belts and the effect of climate on these. They built on their Year 4 work to look at weather and this time a tropical climate, comparing temperature and rainfall in Manaus and London using graphs. Lastly, the children looked at the positives of deforestation but also the actions we can take to prevent negative effects.

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