Year 4 Geography Block 1

Topic – Volcanoes and Earthquakes: Drop, Cover, Hold!

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

🗺️ 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?

Unit Outcomes (secure)

✅ Understand the layers of the Earth.
✅ Understand what earthquakes are and identify places in the world where earthquakes have taken place.
✅ Understand what volcanoes are and identify where in the world volcanoes can be found.
✅  Understand how people adapt to live where there are volcanoes and earthquakes.
✅ Explain how a tsunami takes place and order the events.

In year 4, children should learn the following in geography lessons:

Key Learning Areas:

  1. Physical Geography:
    • Understand key aspects of physical geography, which includes:
      • Volcanoes: How they are formed, types of volcanoes, the process of eruption, and where they are located (e.g. the Ring of Fire).
      • Earthquakes: What causes them, how they are measured (Richter scale), and where they commonly occur (tectonic plates).
  2. Tectonic Plates:
    • Learn that the Earth’s crust is divided into large sections (tectonic plates) that move, leading to volcanic activity and earthquakes.
  3. Impacts on People and the Environment:
    • Discuss how volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can affect human life, including dangers, evacuation procedures, and the long-term effects on landscapes.
  4. Case Studies:
    • Explore real-life examples of significant volcanic eruptions or earthquakes (e.g., Mount Vesuvius, the 2011 Japan earthquake) to understand the impact of such events.

Year 4 pupils explore the fascinating world of volcanoes and earthquakes as part of their geography studies. They discover how volcanoes form, the different types, and why they erupt, while also learning about tectonic plates and their role in both volcanic activity and earthquakes. Pupils investigate how these natural events affect people and the environment, using real-life case studies to deepen their understanding. Through engaging activities and hands-on learning, pupils bring these powerful forces of nature to life in the classroom.

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