Mixed-Age Year 1/2 Cycle A: If You Go Down to the Woods Today…

The “If You Go Down to the Woods Today” topic takes pupils on a journey to explore the fascinating features of forests. Using maps, atlases, and practical activities, pupils investigate the physical and human features of woodland areas, practise map skills, and develop a deeper understanding of their environment. This hands-on geography unit fosters curiosity and builds foundational skills in observation, enquiry, and navigation.

 Week 1: What is a Forest Like?
The topic begins with an exploration of what defines a forest. Pupils learn about the key features of woodland environments, including dense trees, varied wildlife, and seasonal changes. Through pictures, videos, and discussions, they explore the differences between forests and other types of landscapes, such as fields or urban areas. This lesson encourages pupils to share their experiences of visiting forests and reflect on their unique qualities.

Week 2: What Human and Physical Features Can We Identify?
This week introduces the concept of human and physical features within a forest setting. Pupils identify physical features such as trees, streams, and hills, alongside human-made features like paths, benches, and picnic areas. By exploring these features, pupils begin to understand how humans interact with natural environments. Activities might include sorting pictures or creating simple diagrams to categorise these features.

Week 3: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around: What Can You See?
Pupils practise their observational skills by exploring the layers of a forest. They “look up” to notice tree canopies, “look down” to find leaves, roots, and forest floor wildlife, and “look all around” to identify the shapes and colours of the environment. This lesson encourages pupils to think like explorers, focusing on small details and recording their observations through sketches or descriptive writing.

Week 4: Let’s Make a Forest Map!
In this lesson, pupils create their own maps of a forest environment. They learn about the importance of maps for navigation and practise including key features such as trees, paths, and streams. Pupils are introduced to map symbols and simple keys, developing their ability to represent real-world spaces on paper. This creative activity reinforces their understanding of forests while building essential geography skills.

Week 5: What Types of Trees Can We Identify?
This week focuses on tree identification, helping pupils recognise common tree species in forests. Using leaves, bark patterns, and shapes, pupils learn to classify trees such as oaks, pines, and birches. Activities may include examining images, matching leaves to tree types, or discussing why certain trees are suited to specific environments. Pupils also learn about the importance of trees for ecosystems and wildlife.

Week 6: Let’s Use the Compass and Maps Together!
The unit concludes with a practical navigation activity that combines map skills and compass use. Pupils practise following simple directions and using map keys to locate features in a forest or school setting. This hands-on session builds confidence in navigation and reinforces the skills learned throughout the unit. Pupils reflect on their learning and celebrate their new understanding of forests and mapping.

Skills and Learning Outcomes
This topic supports the development of a wide range of skills, including:
– Observing and describing natural environments.
– Identifying human and physical features of landscapes.
– Understanding and creating maps with symbols and keys.
– Classifying trees and understanding their role in ecosystems.
– Using basic navigation tools like compasses.

Broader Impact
By immersing pupils in the study of forests, this topic helps them develop an appreciation for the natural world and the importance of preserving it. Pupils gain a deeper understanding of how environments function and how humans interact with them. The hands-on activities foster curiosity and problem-solving skills while laying the groundwork for more advanced geographical and scientific learning.

The “If You Go Down to the Woods Today” topic combines exploration, creativity, and practical skills to inspire a love of geography and the natural world. It equips pupils with the knowledge and tools to understand and navigate their environment, both in the classroom and beyond.