Today is rung 4 of 6 on this topic
Regions, landforms and why people settle where they do
Can do: Describes how geography shapes where and how people live, using real examples.
Why it matters
It converts geography from a list of names into a set of causes, which is what makes it stick.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Can name landforms but sees no connection between geography and human decisions.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"Why do so many big cities sit on rivers or coasts?"
Solid looks like: Trade, transport, water, food — any real reason.
The full activity for this topic · 20 minutes
Found a Settlement
- 1Draw an imaginary island with a river, mountains, a forest and a coast.
- 2They choose where to build the town and mark it.
- 3They justify the choice: water, flat land, defence, fishing, trade.
- 4Then throw a problem at it: a flood, a drought. Would they move?
- 5Compare with a real city and find out why it's actually there.
If it's too hard
Choose between two marked spots and say why.
If it's too easy
Add trade routes to a neighbouring island and explain what gets traded.
Say this
"Why there and not somewhere else? What does that spot give the people who live in it?"