Curriculum Overview: what students will study.
Geography: Year 8
In year 7 students will study the following topics
Term 1a: China
To learn to understand the physical geography of China and
how this has shaped its history.
To learn to understand the One Child Policy and how it has
affected the human geography of China.
Term 1b: Plate Tectonics
The structure of the Earth and the theory of plate tectonics.
The characteristics of the different plate boundaries and what
happens at each one.
How earthquakes happen and the features of them.
Why volcanoes happen, main types and why they are different.
Term 2a: Sustainability
The definition of sustainability and the difference between
sustainable and non-sustainable sources of energy.
The most effective methods of generating sustainable energy.
An in depth study of the Beddington Zero Energy Project.
Term 2b: Weather and Climate
The water cycle and its importance for life on Earth.
The atmosphere and how it shapes Earth’s weather.
The difference between weather and climate.
The climate of the UK and why there is variation between
different parts of the country
Term 3a: Weather and Climate
Why it rains and the different types of rainfall within the UK.
An introduction to weather fronts and how they work.
Microclimates and where they can be found.
Term 3b: The Coast
The difference between erosion and deposition.
Why and how the coastline is being eroded.
The physical features produced by coastal erosion.
The plants and animals of the British coastline
Home learning tasks will include
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Extended reading.
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Spelling.
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Self-correction/re-drafting.
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Presentation creating.
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To help us track student progress throughout the year and
provide personalised support and intervention, students
will be assessed in the following ways
Term 1a: China
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Written analysis of how physical features such as the Gobi
Desert and the Himalayas have contributed to China’s
development. A piece of assessed work on the One Child
Policy and its effects on the country.
Term 1b: Plate Tectonics

An extended writing task based around the differences
between the effects of an earthquake in an MEDC and an
LEDC.
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An individual research project on the effects of a historical
volcanic eruption.
Term 2a: Sustainability

An investigation of why some types of sustainable energy
are less effective than others.
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A piece of assessed work on the Beddington Zero Energy
Project
Term 2b: Weather and Climate

An assessed piece of work on how the water cycle helps
shape weather.
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An assessed piece of work on the climate of the UK and
why it varies from place to place.
Term 3a: Weather and Climate
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Research task – the differences between frontal and
convectional rainfall.
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Assessment task – a microclimate investigation of Sheffield
Academy.
Term 3b: The Coast
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Investigation piece on the plants and animals of the British
coastline.
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Assessment on how coastal erosion might best be
managed.
Research.
Extended writing
Creative projects.
By covering these units and completing assessments and
home learning tasks, students will be able to:
Locational Knowledge: Extend their locational knowledge and
deepen their spatial awareness of the world’s countries using
maps of their local area and the world to focus on China and
the Middle East, focusing on their environmental regions,
including polar and hot deserts, key physical and human
characteristics, countries and major cities,
Place Knowledge. Understand geographical similarities,
differences and links between places through the study of
human and physical geography of a region within Asia.
Human and Physical Geography: Understand how human and
physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes,
environments and the climate; and how human activity relies on
effective functioning of natural systems.
Geographical skills: Build on their knowledge of globes, maps
and atlases and apply and develop this knowledge routinely in
the classroom. Interpret Ordnance Survey maps in the
classroom and the field, including using grid references and
scale, topographical and other thematic mapping, and aerial
and satellite photographs
How parents can help support their child’s learning
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Encouraging students to watch geography related programmes and documentaries.
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Testing students on key spellings.
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Proof reading students’ work and asking them interrogative questions about what/why
they have written something.