Year 1 Geography

Chapters to explore

A plan shows a small place from above. Symbols simplify objects, and a key explains them. Relative position words such as beside and between help describe locations. A useful map is clear enough for someone else to follow.

Try it: Draw a plan of a familiar room with three symbols and a key.

Physical features occur naturally, such as hills and rivers. Human features include roads and buildings. People use and change places, and weather can affect everyday choices. Observation should distinguish what is visible from what is guessed.

Try it: On a safe walk with an adult, record physical and human features and the weather.

Physical features include naturally occurring landforms and water. Human features are made or substantially shaped by people. A place can contain both, and people can change natural features. Look carefully before classifying.

Try it: Draw a place and label one feature of each kind.

A map represents a place from a chosen viewpoint. Symbols stand for features. A key explains them, so the same symbol should mean the same thing throughout a map. A simple map need not include every detail.

Try it: Make a map of an imaginary garden with three symbols.

A route describes how to travel between places. Use landmarks and clear directions. Left and right depend on the direction you face. Check a route by following it with a toy or finger before using it.

Try it: Describe a safe pretend route on a paper plan.

Weather describes conditions at a place and time, such as rain, wind and temperature. Record observations consistently. A single day does not tell us the climate. Ask an adult about suitable clothing and safe outdoor conditions.

Try it: Keep a short weather picture record with an adult.

Many temperate places describe spring, summer, autumn and winter. Other regions use different seasonal patterns. The Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons at the same time of year. Observe your own locality rather than assuming every place matches one picture.

Try it: Compare two local seasonal observations.

People use places for different purposes, including homes, learning, food and recreation. Access can differ between communities. Describe what a place does without judging the people who live there. Ask how it could welcome different users.

Try it: Draw three imaginary community places and explain their purposes.

Geographical enquiry can begin with noticing a place and asking a question. People’s actions can improve or damage shared environments. Choose safe small actions with adult guidance and check whether they help. Never handle unfamiliar waste alone.

Try it: Ask one question about a shared place and discuss a safe response.

Learning together

Each chapter brings together teaching, an example, practice and a practical discovery. Use the material with discussion and suitable offline activities. Choose a comfortable starting point and revisit explanations as needed.