Year 1 Geography Block 3

Topic – Why Do They Live There? (Small UK area and UK)

🗺️ Week 1: Where am I?
🗺️ Week 2: What is a city?
🗺️ Week 3: What do you know about Cardiff?
🗺️ Week 4: What is it like to live in Cardiff?
🗺️ Week 5: How similar/different is Cardiff to where we live?
🗺️ Week 6: Can you plan a trip to Cardiff?

Unit Outcomes (secure)

✅ Identify a city and how it is different from other types of places.
✅ Locate and name the four countries of the UK, their capital cities and the surrounding seas.
✅ Identify some of human and physical features of Cardiff and its location in the UK.
✅ Describe what life is like for people who live in Cardiff.
✅ Make comparisons between our local area and Cardiff.
✅ Plan a trip to Cardiff, explain how to get there and the things to see and do.

Why Do They Live There?**

This Year 1 geography unit explores why people live in different places and what makes those places suitable for living. The focus is on developing pupils’ understanding of the differences between cities, towns, and villages and recognising the features that make places unique. Using Cardiff as a case study, pupils will examine the characteristics of a city and compare them to their local area.

Throughout the unit, pupils will learn how to identify cities, locate the four countries of the United Kingdom, their capital cities, and the surrounding seas. They will explore Cardiff’s human and physical features, such as its buildings, transport links, and nearby natural environments. Pupils will also consider what daily life might be like for people living in Cardiff, helping them understand how geography influences lifestyle and settlement patterns.

The unit begins with pupils exploring their local area to understand its features and how it fits into the wider world. Using simple maps, photographs, and discussions, pupils will identify key landmarks and characteristics of their surroundings. This foundation helps them start thinking about what makes their area unique and why people live there.

Pupils will then move on to learn about cities, examining what distinguishes them from other types of settlements. They will discuss aspects such as population size, infrastructure, and facilities. Examples of cities from across the UK will be introduced to give pupils a broader understanding of urban areas.

A significant part of the unit focuses on Cardiff. Pupils will learn where Cardiff is located on a map, its role as the capital city of Wales, and its importance within the UK. They will explore Cardiff’s human and physical features, such as its buildings, parks, and proximity to the sea. Pupils will also consider how its location and features influence the way people live and work there.

As the unit progresses, pupils will have opportunities to compare and contrast Cardiff with their local area. This will include looking at similarities and differences in features, facilities, and lifestyles. These comparisons help develop observation and analytical skills and allow pupils to reflect on what they find interesting or surprising about other places.

The unit concludes with pupils planning a trip to Cardiff. They will use their knowledge to consider how they would travel there, what they would see, and what activities they could do. This task encourages practical application of their geographical learning and helps them think about how places can be explored and experienced.

By the end of the unit, pupils will be able to identify and describe key features of cities and other types of settlements. They will be able to locate Cardiff and the other UK capital cities on a map and name the surrounding seas. Pupils will have a basic understanding of human and physical geography and how these elements interact to shape the way people live.

This unit provides a foundation for future geographical learning by introducing key skills such as using maps, making observations, and comparing places. It also supports pupils in developing their understanding of the UK and their place within it.