Geography

“I enjoyed the activity because it was fun looking at the map and trying to find where we were. It was good for learning because we learnt to use a map so we wouldn’t be stuck or lost. It was quite tricky looking at the map and photo but we did it. “ 

Pupils, parents, grandparents and members of staff bring the subject to life by talking about the cultures in their home country or their experiences travelling in different countries.  We always have plenty of eager parent helpers to assist with supervision on our visits, which often include familiarisation with different routes into the city.

Children love researching using non-fiction books and websites.  They use sensors to explore temperatures within the microclimate of the school and its grounds and enjoy using beebots to give and follow directions.  Even story books are a valuable resource as they often include vivid descriptions of real and imaginary places.

The beauty of geography is the amazing possibilities for cross-curricular links with many subjects, including science, history, numeracy, literacy, religious education, art and design and technology.  An important part of the subject is the study of sustainability and the effect of man on his environment and how adverse effects can be reduced.

The subject is extremely well-resourced but its most important advantage is the enthusiasm of the adults and the children at Mayfield. Year 4 and 5 classes learn about people all over the world by using the postcrossing website to exchange postcards.

The progress of each child is assessed termly, using a range of methods, including oral, graphical, typed and written.

At Mayfield, Geography is largely taught through topic work and links are made with other areas of the curriculum where possible.  Children are given the opportunity to explore the natural world and the way humans live in it, affect it and change it.

Emphasis is placed upon the development of geographical skills, such as: the use of geographical vocabulary; the study of maps of different types and scales, photos, graphs, diagrams and plans; investigation and observation in practical fieldwork within the school grounds and the local area.  Children learn where geographical features are located and how to find them on maps; how and why these features are formed and change over time; how to sustainably care for the environment and how and why it is affected by both natural and human forces.  Children are encouraged to ask and to answer questions, to compare and contrast places, to consider primary and secondary sources of evidence and to explain geographical patterns and processes.