Mrs Mactivity

Year 1 Geography - Climate Zones

Year 1 Geography – Hot and Cold Places

This Year 1 geography unit, Is it Hot or Cold?, introduces pupils to continents, oceans and climate zones while helping them explore how places around the world can differ. Across six lessons, pupils use maps and globes to investigate hot and cold environments and begin developing early global geography knowledge.

Pupils compare climates, locate polar regions and discuss how people and animals adapt to different conditions. Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, this unit includes lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated activities and assessment opportunities to support progression across KS1 geography.

Looking for the full Year 1 geography curriculum?

Visit our main Year 1 geography page to explore curriculum coverage, progression and long-term planning.

View Year 1 geography

View lesson overview and unit outcomes

Lessons in this unit

  • What is the world?
  • Where in the world does the visitor come from?
  • What is it like to live in a cold climate?
  • Is it cold everywhere?
  • What is it like to live in a hot climate?
  • How shall we display our learning?

Unit outcomes

  • Name and locate the world’s 7 continents and 5 oceans
  • Locate the Arctic and plan a route from the UK
  • Identify Arctic and Antarctic regions and describe how people and animals adapt
  • Locate and label climate zones using a key
  • Describe similarities and differences between hot climates
  • Create a final piece to demonstrate geographical understanding

What this Year 1 geography block covers

This Year 1 geography block introduces pupils to continents, oceans and climate zones through practical map work and discussion activities. Pupils explore hot and cold places around the world while developing early understanding of global geography and environmental differences.

The lessons fit flexibly into different curriculum structures and typically work within a 45-60 minute geography lesson. This unit forms part of our wider Glorious Geography scheme, supporting progression from EYFS geography through to KS1 geography. Schools teaching mixed-age classes may also find our mixed-age geography planning helpful.