This Year 6 geography unit explores the Amazon rainforest through a detailed study of Manaus in South America. Pupils investigate how people live within rainforest environments while developing understanding of settlements, ecosystems and environmental challenges.
Across six lessons, pupils examine human and physical geography, compare life in Manaus with the UK and investigate why the Amazon rainforest is globally important. Using maps, atlases and digital geography tools, pupils build geographical enquiry skills while exploring issues linked to deforestation and rainforest conservation.
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 6 geography curriculum
See how this South America region study fits within our wider Year 6 geography progression.
This Year 6 geography block develops pupils’ understanding of the Amazon rainforest, South America and global environmental issues. Pupils investigate how people live within rainforest environments while exploring the relationship between settlements, ecosystems and human activity.
Throughout the unit, pupils examine the city of Manaus, compare life in the Amazon with the UK and explore the importance of rainforest conservation. The lessons encourage pupils to analyse environmental challenges such as deforestation, land use and sustainability using geographical evidence and enquiry.
This block forms part of our Year 6 geography curriculum within the KS2 geography scheme. It builds on earlier work linked to global regions, sustainability and environmental change while encouraging pupils to interpret geographical information in greater depth.
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.
