Year 3/4 Cycle A Block 1
Year 3 and 4 Mixed Age Geography – European Region Study: Paris
Support your mixed age class with this Year 3 and 4 geography block focused on Paris as a European region study. This block forms part of our mixed age geography scheme for lower KS2 and uses the same high-quality lessons from our Year 3 single-age unit, reorganised into a two-year rolling cycle so pupils do not repeat content.
As part of Glorious Geography, which has been Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, this block develops pupils’ map skills, locational knowledge and understanding of human and physical features in a contrasting European city. Planning, differentiated tasks and interactive slides are included to support teachers working with combined Year 3 and 4 classes.
How to use our mixed-age Geography scheme of work
For schools with mixed age classes, we have adapted the scheme so that the Year 3 and Year 4 blocks can be used on a two-year cycle. In the first year of the cycle, all pupils in Years 3 and 4 follow the Cycle A blocks of lessons.
In the second year, all pupils in Years 3 and 4 follow the Cycle B blocks of lessons. This prevents repetition and ensures a broad, balanced geography curriculum.
Click here to view the unit outcomes in the single-age version.
Lessons in this block
- Week 1: How would you get to Paris?
- Week 2: What are the physical features of Paris?
- Week 3: What are the human features of Paris?
- Week 4: Is Paris similar or different to our local area?
- Week 5: Let’s plan a tour!
- Week 6: Let’s take our visitors on a tour of Paris!
What this mixed-age block covers
This Year 3 and 4 mixed age geography block introduces pupils to Paris through a European region study that develops geographical enquiry and comparative skills. Pupils explore the human and physical features of Paris, plan routes using atlases, and compare the city with their own local area.
The planning supports both year groups by providing clear objectives, structured tasks and opportunities for pupils to apply knowledge at different levels. Younger pupils focus on identifying features and using basic maps, while older pupils build confidence in comparing locations, describing geographical patterns and planning routes.
Key skills developed
- Using atlases and maps to locate Paris and plan routes
- Describing human and physical features of a European city
- Comparing Paris with pupils’ own local area
- Understanding cultural and environmental similarities and differences
- Planning and presenting a simple tour using geographical knowledge
Where this block fits in the cycle
This is the first block in the Cycle A sequence for Year 3 and 4 mixed age geography. It introduces important European place knowledge that complements the contrasting locality and physical geography topics in Cycle B.
Start using this mixed-age geography block
Download this Year 3 and 4 mixed age geography block as part of our primary geography scheme of work. Access all lesson packs, slides and planning with a free trial and explore European geography with your mixed age class.
