The children in Year 1 have been exploring what the word Geography means and linking this to a variety of tasks in class and within the school grounds. We looked at a map of the school and explored the world using Google Earth. To develop the children’s knowledge further we learnt about the words human and physical and what these meant within the subject of Geography. 

Step 1: The door

Mrs Bailey began to draw a picture and a doorway appeared. We talked about what might be behind the door. We decided to knock and see if anyone would answer. 

A voice spoke and said, “Come in.” We entered a room and discovered a person kneeling on the floor with a briefcase open. We observed and noticed the person looked busy and also worried. We spoke to the person and he told us his name was Mr Brick, he was an architect. He had a top secret job to do but was finding all the work very hard. 
 

The children talked about what they had seen and heard and decided to support Mr Brick with some of his work.

Step 2: The outside world 

Mr Brick required help devising maps of the physical and human environment in the surrounding area. We used our knowledge and skills from our previous work about Geography and began our map creating. 

Step 3: The image

Mr Brick was busy working in his office. He did not hear us outside. We looked through the window and quietly observed him. He began to draw an image on paper.

The children discussed the ideas they had. 

“It’s a suitcase, he needs a pen, paper and scissors because he is an architect.” 
 

“ It’s a house, all houses look like that.” 
 

“ It’s a square shape, lots of things are square shaped.” 
 

“It’s something a builder can build.”
 

The children decided to speak to Mr Brick to ask questions and find out more. They discovered he was working on a secret project, but he could only share one piece of information. He was not sure what materials to use for this project.

The children began a discussion about materials and they shared their thoughts. 
 

“ He needs bricks, that’s a material.”

“ Whatever is made out of something is material. A paper aeroplane is made out of paper.” 
 

“Materials wrap around strong things.” 
 

“We have to test materials to see how strong they are.”