Year 6 Topic 2
North and South America: how diverse are their places and landscapes?
Geography - Topic 2 - Autumn
In this topic, pupils will embark on an exciting geographical journey across the continents of North and South America, discovering the incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, climates and economies that make these regions unique.
This topic extends pupils’ locational and place knowledge beyond Europe by focusing on the diversity of North and South America. Its placement builds on prior regional studies and prepares pupils to compare places at a larger scale. Pupils develop their ability to interpret climate data, physical features and patterns of land use, while also deepening their understanding of how people live and work in different environments. This broad foundation supports later learning about global ecosystems, interdependence and sustainability
To launch the topic, children will take part in an active geography challenge during PE, using maps and directional skills to locate countries across North and South America. This fun and engaging hook will encourage teamwork, problem-solving and geographical thinking from the very start.
As geographers, children will develop their map-reading and fieldwork skills while exploring the vast continents of North and South America. They will learn how to accurately locate countries, identify major cities and use lines of latitude and longitude to pinpoint places around the world.
Pupils will investigate how climate varies across different regions, using climate graphs to compare weather patterns and understand how location can influence temperature and rainfall. They will also explore the fascinating physical and human features of different countries, examining everything from towering mountain ranges and rainforests to bustling cities and growing populations.
The children will deepen their understanding of global development by investigating economic growth and considering why some countries experience greater prosperity than others. As a culmination of their learning, pupils will become travel experts, planning and designing their own dream trip to a country in North or South America, researching famous landmarks, tourist attractions and cultural experiences along the way.
This topic will encourage curiosity about the wider world and help children understand the connections between people, places and environments on a global scale.
In Science, children will become electrical engineers and environmental scientists as they explore the fascinating world of electricity and energy.
They will learn how to draw and interpret series circuits using recognised scientific symbols and discover the essential components needed to create a complete working circuit. Through practical investigations, pupils will explore why circuits sometimes fail and understand the importance of each component working effectively.
Children will apply their scientific enquiry skills by planning and conducting their own experiments, investigating how changes in voltage can affect the brightness of a bulb. They will make predictions, record results and draw conclusions using evidence from their investigations.
Alongside their learning about electricity, pupils will explore the important concept of sustainability. They will learn about different energy sources and compare renewable and non-renewable forms of energy, considering how our choices impact the environment and the future of our planet. These discussions will help children develop a greater understanding of responsible citizenship and the role they can play in creating a more sustainable world.
How Parents Can Support Learning at Home
Parents and carers can make a huge difference to their child's learning by encouraging curiosity and discussion beyond the classroom. Please support and encourage your child to complete some activities from the CREATIVE homework sheet and regularly look at the Knowledge Organisers for each topic.
Geography
- Explore maps and atlases together, identifying countries in North and South America.
- Use online maps or globes to locate famous landmarks such as the Amazon Rainforest, Andes Mountains, Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls.
- Discuss news stories, sporting events or cultural celebrations linked to countries in the Americas.
- Encourage your child to research destinations they might like to visit and explain why they would choose them.
Science
- Help your child identify electrical devices used around the home and discuss how they are powered.
- Talk about ways your family saves energy, such as switching off lights or reducing waste.
- Discuss renewable energy sources you may see locally, such as solar panels or wind turbines.
- Encourage your child to ask questions about how things work and investigate the answers together.
Reading and Wider Learning
- Encourage regular reading and discussion about current affairs, travel, science and environmental issues.
- Watch age-appropriate documentaries about North and South America, wildlife, geography or sustainable energy.
- Encourage your child to share what they have learned in school and explain new vocabulary and concepts.
Through this exciting topic, children will develop their geographical knowledge, scientific understanding and global awareness while building the independence and curiosity that will support them as they prepare for the transition to secondary school.