Mrs Mactivity

Year 1/2 Cycle A Geography Block 2

Year 1 and 2 Mixed Age Geography – Hot and Cold Places, Continents and Oceans

Support mixed-age geography teaching with this Year 1 and 2 mixed age geography block exploring hot and cold places, continents and oceans. Designed for schools teaching combined Year 1 and Year 2 classes, this block forms part of our mixed age geography scheme of work and provides a clear sequence of lessons that works effectively in mixed-age classrooms.

The lessons follow the same carefully planned structure as our single-year units but are organised so that pupils in mixed age KS1 classes experience the full geography curriculum without repeating the same topics.

As part of Glorious Geography, which has been Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, this block introduces pupils to the wider world through studies of continents, oceans and contrasting climates. Planning, differentiated activities and interactive slides are included to support teachers and make mixed-age geography teaching manageable and effective.

The unit can be taught flexibly across the term. Many schools choose to teach geography through blocked units across alternate half terms, while others deliver shorter weekly geography lessons depending on their curriculum structure.

Part of our mixed-age geography scheme

This Year 1/2 geography block forms part of our wider mixed-age geography scheme, supporting progression across combined classes from Year 1 through to Year 6.

Explore the Mixed Age Geography Scheme

How to use the Year 1 and 2 mixed-age geography cycle

For schools teaching mixed age classes, the Year 1 and Year 2 geography units can be organised into a two-year cycle.

In the first year of the cycle, pupils follow the Cycle A geography blocks. In the second year, pupils follow the Cycle B blocks. This ensures that children in mixed age KS1 classes experience the full geography curriculum without repeating the same blocks.

Click here to view the full unit overview and outcomes.

Lessons in this block
  • Week 1: What is the world?
  • Week 2: Where in the world does the visitor come from?
  • Week 3: What is it like to live in a cold climate?
  • Week 4: Is it cold everywhere?
  • Week 5: What is it like to live in a hot climate?
  • Week 6: How shall we display our learning? (Outcome lesson)

What this mixed-age block covers

This Year 1 and 2 mixed age geography block introduces pupils to the wider world, helping them understand continents, oceans and the differences between hot and cold places. Through simple enquiry, map work and discussion, pupils learn how climate affects what places are like and how people live.

The planning supports both year groups through structured activities and clear explanations. Younger pupils gain confidence with early geography vocabulary, while older pupils begin to compare locations and organise geographical information more independently.

Key skills developed

  • Recognising the seven continents and five oceans
  • Locating hot and cold places on a world map
  • Understanding the features of polar and tropical regions
  • Using maps, photographs and enquiry to describe different locations
  • Working collaboratively to create a final outcome that demonstrates learning

Where this block fits in the cycle

This is the second block in the Cycle A sequence for Year 1 and 2 mixed age geography. It pairs with the corresponding Cycle B block taught the following year so pupils experience a broad and balanced range of KS1 geography topics without repeating lessons.

Flexible geography teaching

The unit can be taught flexibly within different curriculum structures. Many schools choose to teach geography through blocked units across alternate half terms, while others deliver shorter weekly geography lessons throughout the term.

Created by subject specialists and recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, our Glorious Geography scheme supports progression from EYFS geography through to KS2 geography.