The PTM Geography intent is to offer a wide variety of leaning opportunities that develop the children’s geographical skills, that foster self-belief, respect, aspiration, inquisitiveness resilience and togetherness, whilst supporting their own independence.
This will encompass a balance of learning experiences, including outdoor fieldwork, interactive technology learning, local visits and high quality teaching. Through their learning, the children will celebrate and welcome a variety of cultures.
 

What does Geography mean at Pear Tree Mead?

Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography, children learn about their local area, and they compare their life in this area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps, and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography, children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates children to find out about the physical world, and enables them to recognise the importance of sustainable development for the future of mankind.

 

What learning opportunities are given to the children?

To enhance the learning experiences of the children at Pear Tree Mead, we use workshops, curriculum days and fieldwork visits, alongside the use of the internet and pupil books. Lessons are exciting and stimulating, promoting self-learning and the use of enquiry skills.

How is Geography ‘implemented’ and taught?

At Pear Tree Mead Geography is taught through ‘Experience’ and alongside History, Art, DT and Music. This allows for many cross-curricular links to be made within the subjects. Threading throughout this are English and Mathematics. Many elements of Geography fieldwork incorporate the use of Maths and this gives the ‘real life’ situations that bring learning alive.

Below are the PTM skills that are taught in Y1-6. They are based around knowledge and skills. 

How is the Geography assessed?

Children demonstrate their ability in geography in a variety of different ways. Younger children might, for example, dress up in costumes from different parts of the world, whilst older pupils might produce a PowerPoint presentation based on their investigations of different sources of energy. Teachers will assess children’s work by making informal judgements during lessons. On completion of a piece of work, the teacher assesses the work and uses this information to plan future learning. Written or verbal feedback is given to the child to help guide his or her progress. Older children are encouraged to make judgements about how they can improve their own work.

We assess work in geography by making informal judgements as we observe the children during lessons. Once the children complete a piece of work, we mark and comment as necessary. Once they complete a whole unit of work, we make a summary judgement of the work of each pupil, and complete MME to show the levels the children have achieved.

How do we overcome learning barriers in Geography?

As a school we have identified the barriers to learning that our children encounter. We have introduced the ‘Growth Mindset Tree’ that supports our children in resilience, aspiration and self-belief.

We have introduced the ‘Zones of Regulation’ to support emotional awareness, whilst continuing to give experiences of the wider world (where possible), outdoor exposure, including parents in their children’s learning and developing skills for future life.

 

What is taught in each key stage?

Key Stage 1.

To become familiar with the countries that make up the United Kingdom.

To look at human and physical geography and make a comparison between a small area of the UK and a non-European country.

To name and locate the 7 continents and the 5 oceans.

To look at weather patterns in different parts of the world

To use compasses, globes, maps and atlases.

Lower Key Stage 2.

To locate the worlds countries using maps, including coasts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, the water cycle and settlements.

Looking at North America.

 

Upper Key Stage 2.

Locating the world’s countries including Russia and South America.

Looking at land use patterns and how they have changed over time.

Locating the Tropics, the Arctic Circle and the worlds time zones.

Gaining a deeper understanding of biomes, volcanoes, earthquakes and human and physical geography.

 

How can you assist with Geography?

• Read with them – especially about other places and other people.
• Keep maps and globes around the house and let your children see you use them.
• Look and explore. Go exploring with them and become aware of your surroundings.
• Ask questions about what you see.
• Ask about shape and colour and why things are located in a particular spot.
• Talk about the weather and how it changes what you wear and what you can do.
• Celebrate your own cultural heritage.
• Experiment with other cultures. Eat their food and sing their songs.
• Talk about where ideas, products, and people come from.
• Travel in different ways: Bus, car, bicycle, subway train. Jumping, running and climbing.

Inclusivity.

Pear Tree Mead is an inclusive school where we cater for children with diverse needs, supporting them to access the curriculum and achieve personal goals.

If you wish to find out more about the National Curriculum please follow the link to the Government website.