Long-term overview - Rainforests - Year 5

In Year 5 Geography, students delve into the lush world of rainforests as part of their exploration of physical geography, in line with the National Curriculum requirements for Key Stage 2. They learn to describe and understand key aspects such as climate zones, biomes, and vegetation belts, alongside studying rivers, mountains, and the water cycle. The curriculum emphasises the use of maps, atlases, globes, and digital resources to locate countries and describe geographical features, providing a comprehensive understanding of Earth's diverse landscapes.

Substantive knowledge acquired during the unit includes an understanding of what biomes are, with a specific focus on the characteristics of rainforests. Students learn to identify the layers of a rainforest, comprehend the significance of the tropics, and recognise the global locations of major rainforests. They also tackle the critical issue of deforestation, understanding its impact on the environment and the importance of rainforest conservation. Disciplinary knowledge is further developed as students employ graphs to track weather patterns, use tools like Google Earth to locate biomes, and conduct evaluative tests to deepen their understanding of environmental changes. Additionally, pupils gain skills in creating sketches for fieldwork and comparing the features of their local area with those of rainforests, fostering a well-rounded geographical education.