Learning objective
- To describe the physical features of a desert environment.
Success criteria
- I can describe the origins of
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National curriculum
Geography
Locational knowledge
Pupils should
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Cross-curricular links
Science
States of matter
Pupils
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Display the Presentation: Speak like an expert and use the activity to recap learning from the previous lesson.
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Extended-mode explainer videos
How to extend your display to view the lesson page and presentation mode simultaneously. Choose your operating system below to watch the video
If you need further support with extending your display,
please contact [email protected].
Extended-mode explainer video: For Mac
Extended-mode explainer video: For Windows
Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
Could focus on describing the appearance of physical features in the Activity: Desert features.
Pupils working at greater depth
Should be encouraged to explain that salt flats are formed by the evaporation of historical rivers in desert valleys, with the salt and minerals left on the valley floor.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: naming and describing the physical features
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Vocabulary definitions
-
mesa
A mountain with steep sides and a flat top.
-
mushroom rock
A rock in a shape similar to a mushroom.
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In this unit
Assessment - Geography Y5/6 (A): Would you like to live in the desert?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 1: What is a hot desert biome?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 2: Where are deserts located?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 3: What physical features are found in a desert?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 4: How can people use deserts?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 5: What are the threats to deserts?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 6: Would you like to live in the desert?
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 31st January, 2026
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 1: What is a hot desert biome?
Locating and describing hot desert biomes.
Assessment – Geography Y5/6 (A): Would you like to live in the desert?
Assessment quiz and Knowledge catcher for use at the start and/or end of the unit...
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 4: How can people use deserts?
Exploring how humans use the Mojave Desert.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 3: What physical features are found in a desert?
Understanding how a desert is formed and the physical features found there.
