Geography – Autumn 2: Kenya

This half term, our Geography topic takes us on an exciting journey to Kenya, a beautiful country in Africa. We’ll be finding out what life is like there and comparing it to where we live in the United Kingdom.

🗺️ What We’re Learning

Where in the World is Kenya?

• We’ll find Kenya on a world map and globe, and learn that it’s in Africa.

• We’ll label the continent, country, capital city (Nairobi), and surrounding seas.

• Children will compare Kenya’s location with where the UK is on the map.

• We’ll think about how we could travel from Pelsall to Kenya – by plane, boat or car!

Kenya’s Landscapes and Wildlife

• We’ll explore Kenya’s amazing landscapes, from Mount Kenya to savannahs, forests, swamps, and beaches.

• Children will learn about safaris and the animals that live in Kenya’s national parks and reserves, and why these places are protected.

• We’ll compare Kenya’s open plains with the mountains and countryside of the UK.

English Link – Handa’s Surprise

• Our English story Handa’s Surprise will help us explore what life is like in a Kenyan village.

• Children will draw a map of Handa’s journey, spotting physical features (like trees and paths) and human features (like homes and villages).

• We’ll compare Handa’s world to our own, thinking about how people live, travel, and play in different places.

People and Culture

• We’ll discover more about Kenyan people, their homes, schools, food, and traditions.

• Children will find out about the Maasai tribe and their colourful clothing and customs.

• We’ll compare daily life in Kenya with life in the UK, spotting both similarities and differences.

Weather and Climate

• We’ll learn why Kenya is hotter than the UK and what it means to live near the equator.

• Children will explore how the weather affects people, animals, and plants in Kenya.

🧭 Skills We’re Developing

• Naming and finding countries, continents, and capital cities

• Using maps, globes, and atlases

• Talking about different environments and cultures

• Using directional and geographical language (e.g. north, equator, savannah, capital)

• Comparing and contrasting places around the world

🏡 How You Can Help at Home

• Look at a map or globe together to find Kenya and the UK.

• Read or watch Handa’s Surprise and talk about what’s the same or different to your child’s life.

• Watch child-friendly videos about Kenyan animals or Mount Kenya.

• Try drawing your own map of Handa’s journey or an imaginary trip from Pelsall to Kenya!

• Taste a Kenyan-inspired fruit like mango, pineapple, or passionfruit.