Year 4 Geography Scheme

Year 4 Geography Block 1 Year 4 Geography Block 2 Year 4 Geography Block 3

Block 1: Drop, Cover, Hold! (Volcanoes and Earthquakes)

  • Week 1: What Is happening beneath our feet?
  • Week 2: What Is an earthquake?
  • Week 3: What Is a volcano?
  • Week 4: How do people live near volcanoes and earthquakes?
  • Week 5: What is a tsunami?
  • Week 6: How can we prepare for natural disasters?

Block 2: On Top of the World!(Mountains, rivers and the water cycle)

  • Week 1: Where are the mountains?
  • Week 2: How do people use mountains?
  • Week 3: How are mountains formed?
  • Week 4: What is the water cycle?
  • Week 5: Where do the rivers go?
  • Week 6: How do people use the rivers?
    (fieldwork – local hills/mountains and rivers)

Block 3: How Can We Plan for the Future (Settlement and Land Use)

  • Week 1: What does local mean?
  • Week 2: How is land used in our locality?
  • Week 3: What is a settlement?
  • Week 4: How is land used in different settlements?
  • Week 5: How has the land changed?
  • Week 6: How can we use land in the future?
    (fieldwork- land use in local area)

Explore Natural Disasters, Landscapes, and Settlements with Our Engaging Year 4 Geography Scheme

Our Year 4 geography scheme takes pupils on an exciting journey across the world, from the depths of the Earth’s crust to towering mountain ranges and the ways humans shape and use land. With enquiry-based learning, hands-on fieldwork, and engaging topics, this scheme develops key geographical skills while deepening pupils’ understanding of the world around them.

Covering three key blocks, the scheme is designed to build knowledge progressively, making geography meaningful and relevant to pupils’ lives.

Block 1: Drop, Cover, Hold! (Volcanoes and Earthquakes)

This thrilling unit introduces pupils to the dynamic forces shaping our planet. They will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis, as well as how people live in areas affected by these natural disasters.

  • Week 1: What is happening beneath our feet? Pupils explore the structure of the Earth, learning about tectonic plates and how they move.
  • Week 2: What is an earthquake? An introduction to how and why earthquakes happen, with case studies of famous earthquakes.
  • Week 3: What is a volcano? Pupils investigate how volcanoes form, different types of volcanoes, and notable eruptions.
  • Week 4: How do people live near volcanoes and earthquakes? A look at why people choose to live in hazardous areas and how they adapt.
  • Week 5: What is a tsunami? Exploring how underwater earthquakes can trigger tsunamis and their impact on coastal communities.
  • Week 6: How can we prepare for natural disasters? Pupils learn about emergency procedures, early warning systems, and disaster planning.

Block 2: On Top of the World! (Mountains, Rivers, and the Water Cycle)

This unit focuses on physical geography, helping pupils understand how mountains and rivers form, the importance of the water cycle, and how humans interact with these landscapes.

  • Week 1: Where are the mountains? Pupils locate major mountain ranges around the world and in the UK.
  • Week 2: How do people use mountains? A look at tourism, farming, and settlements in mountainous regions.
  • Week 3: How are mountains formed? Investigating different types of mountains and how they change over time.
  • Week 4: What is the water cycle? Pupils learn how water moves through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
  • Week 5: Where do the rivers go? Following the journey of a river from source to sea, exploring key features.
  • Week 6: How do people use the rivers? A look at how rivers support transport, farming, and daily life. Fieldwork encourages pupils to explore local hills, mountains, or rivers.

Block 3: How Can We Plan for the Future? (Settlement and Land Use)

Bringing geography closer to home, this unit explores how land is used in different types of settlements, how it has changed over time, and how it can be planned for the future.

  • Week 1: What does local mean? Pupils investigate their local area, identifying key places and landmarks.
  • Week 2: How is land used in our locality? A study of residential, commercial, industrial, and green spaces.
  • Week 3: What is a settlement? Pupils learn about different types of settlements, from villages to cities.
  • Week 4: How is land used in different settlements? Comparing rural and urban land use.
  • Week 5: How has the land changed? Exploring historical land use and how settlements have developed.
  • Week 6: How can we use land in the future? Pupils consider sustainability and urban planning. Fieldwork encourages them to analyse land use in their own community.

Why Choose Our Year 4 Geography Scheme?

  • Develops key geographical skills, including map reading, data collection, and enquiry.
  • Encourages real-world learning through fieldwork and practical activities.
  • Provides engaging, structured lessons with clear progression.
  • Helps pupils make connections between physical geography, human geography, and sustainability.

This scheme ensures that pupils gain a strong foundation in geography, developing curiosity and critical thinking about the world around them.