Knowledge organiser - South America - Year 5

The Year 5 knowledge organiser for South America provides essential vocabulary and key knowledge points to help students understand the continent's diverse geography and culture. It introduces the term 'pampas,' referring to the vast and fertile lowlands in South America that span over 750,000 km². The Incas, an indigenous people from the southern highlands of Peru, are highlighted for their historical significance. The organiser also touches on the grave social issue of 'street children,' who live without homes or parents and resort to begging on the streets.

Students learn about the anaconda snake, a semiaquatic species native to the tropical regions of South America, and the Andes, which is recognised as the longest continental mountain range in the world. The poem 'I am Somebody' is mentioned as a cultural reference, used in campaigns to raise awareness about the plight of Brazil's street children. The key knowledge section aims to familiarise students with South America's location, main geographical features, a selection of countries, and specific details about Brazil's human and physical characteristics. It also covers the continent's fruits and natural resources and deepens the understanding of what 'street children' means. This knowledge organiser is part of the main learning for South America in Geography Year 6 and builds upon prior knowledge from previous studies.