Europe and UK

Overview

This 35-minute lesson introduces Year 1 students to the location of the United Kingdom and Europe on a map. It aligns with the National Curriculum for England (Geography - Key Stage 1) focusing on understanding location, basic maps, and developing spatial awareness.

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National Curriculum References

• Geography - Key Stage 1
  • Pupils should develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality.
  • Pupils should understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography, including: country, town, city, ocean, and continent.
  • Pupils should use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the surrounding seas.
• Programme of Study: Locational Knowledge
  • Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas.
  • Locate the world’s seven continents (including Europe) and five oceans.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

1. Locate the United Kingdom on a map of Europe.
2. Identify Europe as a continent on a world map.
3. Recognise the four countries within the UK and surrounding seas.
4. Understand basic geographical vocabulary related to maps (continent, country, sea).

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Resources

• Large wall map of Europe and the UK (clearly marked)
• Individual laminated maps for each pupil (Europe and UK)
• Colour-coded stickers (4 colours for each UK country)
• Paper and crayons
• Globe (if available)
• Smartboard or projector to show digital maps (optional)
• “Where in the World?” song or rhyme (simple, geography-themed)

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (5 minutes)

• Engage with a song or rhyme about the world’s continents to build excitement and interest. A simple chant naming continents including Europe helps children hear the word and begin becoming familiar with it.
• Use the globe to introduce the concept of the world and continents, focusing on Europe.

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2. Introduction to Maps (7 minutes)

• Show the large wall map of Europe. Point to Europe, saying it is a continent.
• Using a bright pointer, slowly find the UK on the map. Recap with the children the four countries of the UK by marking each with a coloured sticker and saying their names aloud (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).
• Discuss the surrounding seas briefly: The North Sea, Irish Sea, Atlantic Ocean. Use child-friendly language (e.g., “big water all around our island”).

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3. Main Activity: Map Spotting and Stickering (15 minutes)

• Distribute laminated individual maps of Europe and the UK to each child.
• Call out prompts:
  • “Put your sticker on the UK!” (Use a red dot sticker for UK).
  • “Now put a blue sticker on Scotland.”
  • Continue for Wales, England, and Northern Ireland with different coloured stickers.
• For differentiation, help less confident pupils by showing on your map, and encourage more confident pupils to find surrounding seas and name at least one neighbouring country — e.g. Ireland or France.
• While sticker placing, ask questions:
  • “Is the UK big or small compared to Europe?”
  • “What colours are you using for England and Wales?”
• Enable pupils to colour their maps briefly after the sticker activity, reinforcing the countries.

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4. Plenary and Assessment (8 minutes)

• Sit pupils in a circle. Using a soft ball, play a “pass the question” game. When a pupil catches the ball, ask them a simple question:
  • “Can you point to the UK on your map?”
  • “Name one country in the UK.”
  • “What continent are we on?”
• Celebrate all answers to boost confidence.
• Show a quick digital quiz or flashcards (if tech permits) to recap location knowledge.
• End by singing the continents song again, this time encouraging children to point to Europe on their maps.

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Differentiation

• Support pupils with visual aids and one-to-one help during the sticker activity.
• Challenge more able pupils by asking them to recall capitals (London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast) or identify other European countries neighbouring the UK.

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Assessment for Learning

• Informal observation during activities to check:
  • Ability to locate UK and Europe.
  • Correct placement of stickers.
  • Verbal responses in plenary.
• Use questioning to assess understanding of basic terms (continent, country, sea).

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Key vocabulary development; following instructions; speaking and listening skills.
• Art: Colouring activity with maps enhances fine motor skills and creativity.
• Music: Use of songs supports memory and engagement.

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WOW Factor Ideas

• Incorporate augmented reality apps on tablets (if available) to "fly" from UK to Europe and see the countries pop up in 3D.
• Create a classroom “continent floor map” using taped outlines to physically walk on, allowing kinaesthetic learners to explore the UK and Europe with stickers and flags.
• Invite a virtual guest or use a simple video clip introducing children from another European country to promote real-world connections.

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This detailed, engaging, and curriculum-aligned lesson plan will help Year 1 pupils confidently locate the UK within Europe and understand key geographical concepts appropriate to their stage.