ABSTRACT
At the time of going to press, details of the content of the National Curriculum for geography are being reconsidered and rewritten. Whatever the final outcome, the ‘essence’ of its content-an inter-twining of the study of physical geography, human geography and environmental geography-will stand the test of time. The original National Curriculum Order provided a much-need rationale for teaching and learning in the subject; it also gave rise to a number of key issues which will be discussed. The core content of geography is comprised of five elements, these being:
• Geographical skills • Places (near and far) • Physical geography • Human geography • Environmental geography
These elements include the knowledge, skills and processes that should be taught. Progression is essential in the teaching of such knowledge, skills and processes, as exemplified by the National Curriculum framework:
Geographical skills
1 Enquiry should form an important part of pupils’ work in geography in Key Stage 1. Work should be linked to pupils’ own interests, experience and capabilities and should lead to investigations based on both fieldwork and classroom activities. Much of pupils’ learning in Key Stage 1 should be based on direct experience, practical activities and exploration of the local area.
