LoginMy Account

KS1 - Capitals & Countries

Understanding settlement types

LO: To know the difference between city, town and village.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:
  • Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas.
  • To be able to use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to human features.

Deepen your children’s understanding of settlement types and human features, using only natural resources and some map outlines. Within this outdoor lesson, children will develop their map reading skills to locate settlements and explore geographical vocabulary.

Loading...

Identifying characteristics of England

LO: To identify the characteristics of England.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:
  • Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas.
  • To be able to use basic geographical vocabulary to distinguish physical and human features.
  • To use simple compass directions and locational and directional language.

During this outdoor lesson your children will focus on some of the key characteristics of England and develop their understanding of the terms human and physical features. This lesson requires minimal resourcing and will enable your children to work creatively.

Loading...

Identifying characteristics of Scotland

LO: To identify the characteristics of Scotland.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:
  • Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas.
  • To be able to use basic geographical vocabulary to distinguish physical and human features.
  • To use simple compass directions and locational and directional language.

The main activity of this outdoor lesson will give your children the chance to work collaboratively to learn about Scotland’s physical characteristics with a uniquely fun challenge! They’ll also need to locate the capital and use locational language in relation to some human features.

Loading...

Identifying characteristics of Wales

LO: To identify the characteristics of Wales.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:
  • Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas.
  • To be able to use basic geographical vocabulary to distinguish physical and human features.

Deliver an engaging and hands-on learning experience centred around Wales and its human and physical features! Your children will need to use geographical vocabulary to describe characteristics of this country, while also using a variety of natural resources.

Loading...

Identifying characteristics of Northern Ireland

LO: To identify the characteristics of Northern Ireland.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:
  • Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas.
  • To be able to use basic geographical vocabulary to distinguish physical and human features.

Combine active games with collaborative learning to give your children an opportunity to explore the characteristics of Northern Ireland. This outdoor lesson focuses on the Giants Causeway, enabling children to secure their understanding of geographical vocabulary to describe physical features.

Loading...

Using atlases to locate UK countries

LO: To name, locate and identify the four countries and capital cities of the UK.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:
  • Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom.
  • Use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language, to describe location.
  • Use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries.

Have your children apply their atlas skills to identify and locate the UK’s four countries and their capital cities using this outdoor lesson. Children will need to use their knowledge of compass points when describing locations and will have a chance to explore the flags of each country. 

Loading...

Before you get started...

Safety and sustainability is super important!

Download Safety Guide

Mrs Davies

Amazing resources which have really helped our school be more confident in using the outdoor space to enhance the children's learning. Great, fun, easy to follow lesson plans, which link directly to the key objectives!

Sharon Taylan

The Alfresco planning hub is a fantastic resources with lesson that are easy to pick up and teach. I use them both as full lesson, lesson starters and intervention session for an LSA. Would highly recommend.

Karyn Weglarz

I am a member of the Planning Hub and I love the variety of lessons provided. Most lessons need only simple materials that I usually already have on hand. I love taking my students out with these lessons.

Amy McTague

Brilliant resources, easy to follow and adapt for learners, clear progression!

Laura Walton

The online planning hub is a lifesaver. I teach in KS1 and the children always ask when we are going outside and parents always say how excited the children are about their outdoor learning. It is exactly what I was looking for and have now been using it for several years. Thank you for such a brilliant resource!