My School Geography
Topic: Schools, buildings and surrounding area
Subject area: Geography
Level: 5th/6th Class
Background to Topic
This unit sets out to meet the objectives of the primary geography curriculum. The content and activities within it focus on schools, buildings and the natural environment of typical primary schools. It also presents modern school designs. The unit helps children to consider the location of schools by exploring issues such as location, site and aspect. Children examine maps to determine any common factors in the location of schools. Their attention is drawn to their proximity to roadways and to homes. Children will consider the design of schools and will examine specific architectural features of older and new school buildings. An important feature of this unit is the consideration given to the environment of a school. Here children will study space and design.
Children will use geographical skills to question, interpret and to design plans and maps. They will consider how school size is determined by population and location. The theme of transport is presented through examination of maps, tables and graphs. Geographic skills and concepts: Pupils examine the features of the build and natural environment. The activities will help children to interpret data and to interact with it by making and interpreting maps and plans. This geography unit notes the wider environment of schools and other buildings and points out recreation areas in and around schools. Children are encouraged to examine their own school environment and to consider how this might be enhanced. A section examines the Green-School initiative.
Integration with other curricular areas is catered for. The unit connects to the school theme in the history section of this site.
Some of the key questions concerning environment, materials and waste, link strongly to the science curriculum.
Aims of unit:
- To develop children's awareness of school buildings and their indoor and outdoor environment
- To identify other buildings and the natural and human features which surround their own school
- To develop familiarity with and to promote engagement in the practical uses of maps, plans and graphs
- To develop skills in drawing plans and maps of their own school through an examination of samples from other schools
- To develop a knowledge and understanding of transport systems through a study of school transport
- To develop children's appreciation of design and architectural features particularly in relation to schools
- To consider how a school environment can be enhanced and to understand that schools can take steps to improve waste and energy management in their community