Seaside Adventures

A 105-minute engaging geography lesson designed for Year 1 and Year 2 students (ages 5-7) combining whole-class and small-group learning to explore popular UK seaside destinations and important beach safety tips. This lesson culminates the seaside topic, linking prior learning on physical and human features to real-life locations, while weaving in Project Zero’s Thinking Routines to deepen understanding. Activities accommodate mixed abilities and SEN needs, following the National Curriculum (England) for Key Stage 1 Geography.

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Curriculum Links

Geography National Curriculum (KS1)

• Locational Knowledge: Name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans. (Year 1)
• Place Knowledge: Identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the UK.
• Human and Physical Geography: Identify seasonal and daily weather patterns; key physical features including beach, cliff, coast, sea; key human features including port, harbour, pier.
• Geographical Skills and Fieldwork: Use simple compass directions and locational language; use aerial photographs and plan perspectives.

Learning Objectives (I can… statements)

• I can name and locate popular seaside destinations in the UK.
• I can identify some human and physical features found at the seaside.
• I can explain how to stay safe when visiting the beach.
• I can work with others to share my ideas and listen carefully to others.

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Success Criteria

• I can point to seaside places on a map of the UK.
• I can match pictures to seaside human and physical features correctly.
• I can say at least two ways to stay safe on the beach.
• I can share my thoughts using sentence starters and listen respectfully.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual supports (pictures, labelled maps) for EAL/SEN learners.
• Mixed-ability grouping with peer support.
• Scaffolded sentence starters and vocabulary mats for speaking and writing.
• Extension tasks for advanced learners, requiring more detailed descriptions or drawing own safety posters.

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Lesson Breakdown

1:00 - 1:15 pm | Starter: Whole-Class Engagement

Activity: Story and Thinking Routine

• Resource: Use Project Zero’s "See-Think-Wonder" thinking routine to observe and discuss a colourful seaside picture slideshow that includes UK locations and safety scenes.
• Teacher reads a short seaside story (e.g., a custom story with elements from Katie Morag and Lyme Regis) or displays a short video clip showing children enjoying different seaside spots and staying safe.
• Questions to prompt thinking:
  • What do you see in these pictures?
  • What do you think is happening?
  • What do you wonder about the seaside?
• Capture responses on a large flipchart or whiteboard to make thinking visible.

1:15 - 1:35 pm | Main Activity 1: Small-Group Carousel (15 min per group)

Split class into two groups (5 students each; year 1 and 2 mixed):

Group A Activity:

• Map Exploration: Using a large UK map, find and mark popular seaside destinations (e.g., Brighton, Blackpool, Isle of Wight, St Ives, Lyme Regis).
• Label human and physical features on the map using sticky notes or pre-made picture cards: pier, harbour, beach, cliffs, lighthouse, promenade.
• Use questions to promote discussion: Which of these places have a pier? What might we see in a harbour?

Group B Activity:

• Beach Safety Sorting Game: Printed picture cards illustrating beach safety rules (lifeguard, swimming in safe zones, sun cream, keeping hydrated, wearing hats, staying close to an adult).
• Sort pictures into “Safe Beach Behaviours” and “Not Safe” categories using a magnetic whiteboard or felt board.
• Students discuss why each behaviour is important, guided by teacher.

After 15–20 minutes, groups swap activities.

1:35 - 1:45 pm | Group Swap Transition and Recap

• Quick reflection together sharing one new thing learnt from each activity using a talking object (e.g., a soft ball).

1:45 - 1:55 pm | Brain Break

• Outdoor/free space run-around activity with imaginative play: “Sea Creature Tag” (children pretend to be crabs or seagulls running safely around a marked area).

1:55 - 2:15 pm | Main Activity 2: Whole-Class or Two Groups

Option 1 (Whole Class): Create a collaborative seaside safety poster.

• Children suggest pictures and captions to add.
• Teacher writes or learners draw simple representations.
• Poster to display in classroom or communal area.

Option 2 (Two Groups):

• Group A: Draw their favourite seaside destination from the earlier map activity, including at least three human and physical features.
• Group B: Create their own beach safety “Top Tips” booklet with pictures and simple sentences, supported by sentence starters.

2:15 - 2:35 pm | Assessment and Reflection

• Use an exit ticket activity: each child shares one seaside place and one safety rule with a partner or adult.
• Teacher uses a simple checklist aligned with success criteria to assess understanding and engagement.

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Extension Activities

• Advanced learners write a short postcard from a chosen seaside destination describing what they see and what they do safely at the beach.
• Create a simple role play in pairs demonstrating safe and unsafe beach behaviour, with peer feedback.

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Additional Notes for Teaching

• Use vocabulary mats including words like: pier, harbour, lighthouse, promenade, lifeguard, cliffs, beach.
• Encourage full sentences and use of conjunctions (e.g., and, because) for year 2 students.
• Use praise and Rosenshine’s principles: frequent questioning, modelling language, and guided practice.
• For SEN learners, provide pre-labelled images and sentence strips; for EAL learners, allow responses in first language initially and build English gradually.

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Resources Required

• Large floor map of UK with coastal areas highlighted
• Picture cards of seaside human and physical features
• Picture cards for beach safety behaviours
• Whiteboard or felt board for sorting games
• Art materials for drawing and poster making (paper, crayons, glue)
• Story or video about seaside day (teacher-prepared or suitable media)
• Vocabulary display and mini dictionaries/sheets for sentence starters

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This lesson is designed to build on existing knowledge from previous sessions on seasides, carefully scaffold new learning, and embed key geographical skills and safety understanding in an engaging, student-centred way. It aligns fully with the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 Geography and incorporates Project Zero thinking routines to make student thinking visible and deepen conceptual understanding.