Year 2 Geography Block 1

Topic – If You Go Down to the Woods today…(Features of forests/using maps and atlases)

In this block of learning, you will cover the following lessons:

🗺️ Week 1: What is a forest like?
🗺️ Week 2: What human and physical features can we identify?
🗺️ Week 3: Look up, look down, look all around: What can you see?
🗺️ Week 4: Let’s make a forest map!
🗺️ Week 5: What types of trees can we identify?
🗺️ Week 6: Let’s use the compass and maps together!

Unit Outcomes (secure)

✅ Talk in detail about what a forest is. Explain how forests are different from other geographical features and landscapes and use correct vocabulary to name specific physical features.
✅ Use aerial photos to recognise human and physical features of forests.
✅ Make observations, identifying human and physical features in a forest or wooded area. Follow a route on a map with support.
✅ Identify trees using leaf samples and by making observations of trees in the local area.
✅ Draw a map to show the route a character takes. Include a key.
✅ Use an atlas, world map, globe or UK map to locate some of the world’s forests. Describe the location of the world’s forests using the four compass points.

Our geography scheme provided national curriculum coverage of the year 2 objectives including:

1. Geographical Skills and Fieldwork

  • Use world maps, atlases, and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as other countries, continents, and oceans.
  • Use simple compass directions (North, South, East, and West) and locational/directional language (e.g., near, far, left, right) to describe the location of features and routes on a map.
  • Use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key.
  • Undertake simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds, and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.

What key features should children learn about maps?

  • World Maps and Atlases: As part of identifying the UK, its countries, continents, and oceans, Year 2 pupils will be introduced to maps, atlases, and globes.
  • Simple Compass Directions: Learning North, South, East, and West, as well as using them to describe locations.
  • Aerial Photographs and Plan Perspectives: Understanding how places look from above and connecting that to maps. This links to recognizing human and physical features.
  • Creating Simple Maps and Keys: By creating simple maps, students learn about symbols and map keys.

What should Year 2 learn about maps?

  • Recognising different types of maps (world maps, local maps, atlases).
  • Basic map symbols and their use in a key.
  • Directions and simple compass use.
  • Simple route planning and map creation.