Geography Explorers

Lesson Overview

This lesson aims to introduce Year 2 students to the basic concepts of human and physical geography, emphasising the differences between them through interactive and engaging activities. This lesson aligns with the UK National Curriculum Key Stage 1 Geography Programme of Study.

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Curriculum Area

• Key Stage: 1
• Subject: Geography
• Focus: Human and Physical Geography

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Learning Objectives

• Understand the basic concepts of human and physical geography.
• Identify examples of human and physical features in their local area.
• Distinguish between human and physical geography through interactive activities.

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Resources Needed

• Large world map and local area map
• Picture cards of human and physical geographical features
• Whiteboard and markers
• Craft supplies (paper, crayons, scissors, glue)
• Interactive globe or digital map tool (optional)

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Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome and Warm-Up: Briefly greet the students and introduce the topic using a world map. Ask, "What do you think geography is?" to activate prior knowledge.

2. Learning Objectives: Clearly outline today's learning objectives. Explain that students will learn what human and physical geography are and how they differ.

3. Story Time: Read a short story or anecdote about a child exploring different parts of the world, encountering both human-made structures and natural landscapes.

Main Activity (35 minutes)

Part 1: Exploring Geography (15 minutes)

• Discussion: Initiate a class discussion differentiating between physical features (e.g., mountains, rivers) and human features (e.g., bridges, buildings). Use the world map to point out examples.
• Picture Card Activity: Distribute picture cards of various geographical features. In pairs, have students sort these into human or physical geography categories.
• Sharing: Ask a few pairs to share their thoughts and explain their choices to the class.

Part 2: Local Geography Hunt (20 minutes)

• Local Map Exploration: Show students a map of their local area. Together, identify and label features as human or physical.
• Creative Craft: Give students paper and craft supplies to create their own map featuring one human and one physical geographical feature from their local area.

Conclusion (15 minutes)

1. Class Presentation: Invite a few students to present their maps, describing the human and physical features they included.

2. Reflection: Ask students to reflect on why it's essential to know the differences between human and physical geography. Lead a brief class discussion.

3. Wrap-Up and Review: Review the key points of the lesson. Reinforce the definitions and differences with simple examples.

Plenary: Geography Song (Optional Extension)

• End the lesson with a simple, catchy song about geography that includes lyrics mentioning different human and physical geographical features.

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Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Use questioning during the activities to assess understanding.
• Student Maps: Evaluate student-crafted maps for correct identification of human and physical features.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide extra guidance to students who may struggle by pairing them with a peer buddy or providing picture cards with labels for hints.
• Extension: Challenge more able students to find additional examples of mixed human and physical features, such as parks (which may contain both natural and man-made elements).

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Reflection for Teachers

• Reflect on how well students understood the concepts based on their participation and the maps they created.
• Consider adjustments for future lessons, such as additional visual aids or interactive tools, to further enhance understanding.

By engaging Year 2 students in these fun, hands-on activities, they will have a foundational understanding of human and physical geography that is relevant and applicable to their everyday world.