Geography class is intended for children from primary 4-7. It takes over from the Nature Studies course studied by children until primary 3. It is an applied subject that complements student’s learning in Foundations in Science.

The course has a broad scope bringing together knowledge from both Human and Physical geography. The two subfields are studied together since this gives the learner the best overview, providing them with the narrative needed to comprehend the links between human activity and physical reality. Children can better see and understand that cultures developed in particular ways in response to their geographical position and the geological attributes of their land. People, place and culture are tied together, each influencing the other.

Years one and two of the curriculum cycle study countries of the world; and year three focuses on British geography. In the first two years of the cycle each lesson is structured as the study of a distinct country. The teacher (together with the learners) can choose which countries to study in what order; as well as which countries to give most time to. This allows the lessons to be tailored to the interests of the group. If the class has a child that is fascinated by China (for example) or has recently been on holiday to Italy (for example), then the teacher can use this natural interest to shape the lesson.

Emphasis will also be given to the countries that our students have some ethnic connection with. If a child’s family came from Russia, Rumania, Poland or Greece for example, then the class will study these countries in first, or with more detail. During these classes, children who know something about the country of study are invited to contribute to the lesson. They may bring in their traditional national costumes, music, traditional games, personal photographs from the country, or relate stories from that nation’s culture or history.

Children can take turns choosing which country to explore next. It is worth noting that over the two years a group will study more than 70 countries. From this we can understand that it is possible to take a child-centred approach in the Geography class without compromising the general overview that the programme gives.

When a country is studied the lesson will include learning about:

• its geographical position

• the terrain

• the climate

• the biodiversity

• note any important contribution place to the world’s ecosystems.

• impressive natural formations

• the types of houses people live in

• the foods that grow there and the resulting cuisine

• languages spoken

• the main religion

• size of population/main ethnic groups

• main characteristics of the economic activity

• traditional music

• and something about the life of children there

The third year of the curriculum cycle is a study of Britain’s geology and political boundaries. Children will study the following:

• British flora and fauna

• Characteristics of British Climate

• Types of terrain

• Parts of the United Kingdom

• Subdivisions of Scotland

• Scottish Islands

• Major British mountain ranges

• Main British rivers and lakes

• British National Parks

• Main British Cities

• Important Geological Formations (including Lewisian gneisses)

• Urban and Rural life

• Scottish Land use

• Soil, climate and agriculture in Britain

• Animal Farming

• Imported goods

• Population, migration and emigration

• Languages (Scottish Gaelic, Scots and English)

• Areas of Economic Activity