Different Types of Homes

Lesson Overview

Subject: Geography
Year Group: Year 1
Lesson Duration: 35 minutes
Class Size: 24 students
Curriculum Area: Key Stage 1 - Human and Physical Geography

National Curriculum Links

• Human and Physical Geography: Identify different types of homes and where they are found.
• Locational Knowledge: Recognise that different homes exist in different environments.
• Speaking and Listening: Develop discussion skills through whole-class and small-group activities.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify different types of homes (e.g. igloos, houseboats, barns).
2. Describe what makes these homes suitable for their environments.
3. Compare their own homes to those seen in the video.

---

Resources Needed

• Video: Sesame Street: Homes (Pre-prepared to avoid wasted time)
• Printed images of different homes (e.g. igloos, houseboats, barns, terraced houses, flats)
• Large world map or globe
• Small whiteboards and markers
• A toy character (e.g. Teddy) to ‘travel’ and ‘visit’ different homes

---

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes) – Recap & Engage

• Start by asking: "What makes a house a home?" Discuss briefly.
• Recap the different homes seen in Sesame Street: Homes (igloo, houseboat, barn).
• Show images of each home and ask: "Who remembers what this is called?"

2. Main Activity (20 minutes) – Learn & Explore

a) Where are these homes found? (10 minutes)

• Use a large map/globe to "travel" with Teddy.
• Place images of each home around the classroom.
• Move Teddy to each home and ask: "What do you think it is like to live here?"
• Support discussion with prompts: Would it be hot or cold? Who might live here?

b) Matching Homes to People (5 minutes)

• Hand out laminated images of different people and animals (e.g. Eskimo, farmer, boat captain).
• Ask students to match them to the correct home.
• Have children explain their choices to a partner.

c) Think-Pair-Share (5 minutes)

• Ask students: "How is your home similar or different to these homes?"
• Allow them to discuss with a partner and then share their ideas as a class.

---

3. Plenary (10 minutes) – Create & Reflect

• Give each child a small whiteboard and marker.
• Ask them to draw their dream home – could it be an igloo, treehouse or houseboat?
• Individually, they share with the class one feature about their home.
• End by reinforcing: “No matter what type of home, they all keep us safe and warm!"

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Questioning: During group discussions to check understanding.
• Observation: Noticing student participation in discussions and Teddy’s travels.
• Work Samples: The dream home drawings serve as an informal assessment.

---

Differentiation & Inclusion

• For EAL learners: Use visual aids and gestures to reinforce meaning.
• For SEND students: Offer choices between two homes rather than open-ended discussion.
• For higher ability students: Encourage explanations of why certain homes exist in certain places.

---

Extension Opportunities

• Visit the school library to find books on different types of homes around the world.
• Build model homes using recycled materials in an art lesson.
• Write a short sentence about their dream home in a literacy session.

---

Teacher Reflection

• Did students actively engage in the Teddy’s Homes journey?
• Were they able to explain why certain homes belong in certain places?
• How well did they make comparisons between their own home and those seen in the lesson?

---

This lesson takes a simple concept from a well-known video and transforms it into an interactive, thought-provoking experience, helping young students develop geographical skills in a meaningful way! 🚀