So, how many of these do you agree with?
The latest edition of Teach Primary magazine (April 2020) had the above displayed on page 82 and numbers 8, 10 and 12 gave me a little chuckle as I cast my mind back to my days teaching in (and outside) the classroom. It also made me think about what I now see so often in primary schools.
Why not use that one child in each year group, who may be more familiar with the local area than you are (as you live beyond the school’s catchment area, perhaps), to help guide enquiry work within the vicinity? Surely that demonstrates to the likes of Ofsted, SLT and Governors that you are using learning to steer the teaching that takes place both within and outside your classroom.
Do not let number 10 deter you from undertaking fieldwork with the youngsters that you teach either. Those learning experiences beyond the four walls of the classroom will remain in pupils’ memories for many years to come. They may also be the only opportunities that a child has to visit a particular area or attraction. Not all parents/carers have the financial means, transport or enthusiasm to provide such fundamental, first-hand experiences for their child/children. Ensure that you have sufficient additional adults to support you on a trip and enable you to enjoy the day alongside your pupils too.
The National Curriculum programme of study for geography at Key Stage 2 suggests that:
‘Pupils should extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They should develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge.’
Many schools focus on Brazil as it contains a large proportion of the Amazon rainforest and has hosted the Olympics and FIFA World Cup in recent times. However, there are 11 other independent states and two or three dependent territories to consider too! In the past, I have used the beautifully illustrated Mia’s Story by Michael Foreman (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mias-Story-Michael-Foreman/dp/1406305332/) to ‘zoom in’ on Chile, exploring the Andes Mountains, the city of Santiago and Mia’s small village named Campamento San Francisco. The Amazon rainforest extends into eight other countries, including Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Why not pick one of these to explore when studying the Amazon rainforest?
Do share any successful teaching and learning approaches with us, please.
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Our aim is to promote geography and geographical education in the South West of England. Geography SW is a collaborative project driven by a group of enthusiastic geographers who have volunteered their time to create a wide-ranging and dynamic resource to support the wider geographical community.