This Year 5 geography unit takes pupils to North America through a detailed region study of Las Vegas. Using maps, atlases and digital geography tools, pupils investigate how people live and work within a large city located in a desert environment.
Across six lessons, pupils develop geographical understanding by exploring time zones, comparing desert climate with the UK and identifying important human and physical features. The unit also encourages pupils to think critically about issues linked to water supply, tourism and sustainability within rapidly growing urban areas.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, this unit includes ready-to-teach lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated geography activities and assessment opportunities to support progression across Upper KS2 geography.
Explore the full Year 5 geography curriculum
See how this North America region study fits within our wider Year 5 geography progression.
This Year 5 geography block explores North America through the study of Las Vegas and its surrounding desert environment. Pupils investigate how climate, location and human activity influence the development of cities in contrasting parts of the world.
Throughout the unit, pupils use maps, atlases and digital geography tools to investigate time zones, desert climates and patterns of settlement. The lessons also encourage pupils to analyse challenges linked to water supply, tourism and sustainability within urban desert regions.
This block forms part of our Year 5 geography curriculum within the KS2 geography scheme. It builds on earlier locational and physical geography knowledge while introducing more advanced themes linked to globalisation, sustainability and environmental pressure.
The lessons are designed to work flexibly within different curriculum structures and typically fit within a 45-60 minute geography lesson. Many schools teach geography through blocked units across half terms, while others use shorter weekly geography sessions across the term.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, our Glorious Geography scheme supports progression from EYFS geography through to KS2 geography, including mixed-age geography planning.
