Geography · Year 2 · Comparing Kenya and the UK · Spring Term

Kenyan Landscapes: Savannah and Mountains

Examining the physical features of the Kenyan landscape, including the Savannah and Mount Kenya.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: Geography - Place Knowledge
• KS1: Geography - Human and Physical Geography

About This Topic

Kenyan landscapes include expansive savannah grasslands and the striking Mount Kenya. Year 2 students examine these features through photographs, maps, and simple descriptions. They notice the savannah's wide, flat plains with scattered acacia trees, dry grasses, and herds of animals like zebras and giraffes. Mount Kenya stands as Africa's second-highest peak, with rocky slopes, forests, and even glaciers near the equator. Comparisons to UK landscapes, such as the grassy fields of the Yorkshire Dales or Scottish Highlands, highlight differences in scale, vegetation, and wildlife.

This topic aligns with KS1 National Curriculum goals in place knowledge and physical geography. Children address key questions: what the savannah looks like, animals that live there, and similarities or differences with UK animals. They build skills in observing, describing, and comparing localities, laying groundwork for understanding how physical features influence life.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly. Students handle animal figurines, construct simple dioramas, or sort landscape images in groups. These methods turn abstract places into tangible experiences, spark discussions, and help children connect global geography to their own surroundings.

Key Questions

1. What do you notice about what the savannah in Kenya looks like?
2. Can you name some animals that live on the Kenyan savannah?
3. How are the animals in Kenya the same as or different from animals in the United Kingdom?

Learning Objectives

• Compare the physical features of the Kenyan savannah with a chosen UK landscape, identifying at least two similarities and two differences.
• Classify animals based on their habitat, distinguishing between animals typically found on the Kenyan savannah and those found in the United Kingdom.
• Describe the key visual characteristics of Mount Kenya, including its scale and general appearance.
• Explain how the environment of the Kenyan savannah might influence the types of animals that live there.

Before You Start

Identifying Common Animals

Why: Students need to be able to recognize and name common animals before they can classify them by habitat.

Basic Landscape Features

Why: Familiarity with simple landscape terms like 'field' and 'hill' helps students understand and compare more complex geographical features.

Key Vocabulary

Savannah	A large, flat area of land with grass and very few trees, often found in hot countries. It is home to many large animals.
Grassland	An area where the primary vegetation is grass. The Kenyan savannah is a type of tropical grassland.
Habitat	The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism. Different habitats support different kinds of life.
Physical Features	The natural characteristics of the Earth's surface, such as mountains, plains, rivers, and forests.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Savannah is a sandy desert like the Sahara.

What to Teach Instead

Savannah features grassy plains with trees and seasonal rains that support wildlife. Sorting real photos versus drawings in groups helps students see the difference, while building models reinforces vegetation patterns through touch and placement.

Common Misconception

Mount Kenya has no snow because Kenya is hot.

What to Teach Instead

High altitude creates cooler conditions with glaciers on Mount Kenya. Comparing elevation models and weather images in pairs corrects this, as students physically stack blocks to mimic height and discuss temperature changes.

Common Misconception

Kenyan animals live exactly like UK farm animals.

What to Teach Instead

Savannah animals roam freely in herds, unlike contained UK livestock. Role-playing habitats with figurines in small groups reveals adaptations, prompting children to adjust their ideas through peer explanations.

Active Learning Ideas

Image Sort: Landscapes Match

Provide photos of savannah, Mount Kenya, and UK scenes. In small groups, students sort images into categories and label key features like trees or peaks. Groups share one observation with the class.

30 min·Small Groups

Animal Habitat Hunt: Kenya vs UK

Display animal cards from both countries. Pairs match animals to savannah, mountain, or UK habitat pictures, then discuss adaptations like long necks for giraffes. Create a class comparison chart.

35 min·Pairs

Diorama Build: Savannah Scene

Students use trays, sand, grass cuttings, and toy animals to build a savannah model. Add Mount Kenya with clay. Pairs explain their model to another pair, noting UK differences.

45 min·Pairs

Map Mark: Key Features

On outline maps of Kenya and UK, individuals mark savannah areas, Mount Kenya, and familiar UK sites. Share maps in whole class to trace animal routes.

25 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Wildlife photographers, like those working for National Geographic, travel to the Kenyan savannah to capture images of animals in their natural habitats. Their work helps educate people worldwide about biodiversity.
• Conservationists work in national parks in Kenya, such as Amboseli National Park, to protect animals like elephants and lions. They study animal behavior and the environment to ensure the savannah remains a healthy place for wildlife.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Show students two images: one of the Kenyan savannah and one of a UK landscape like the Scottish Highlands. Ask them to point to the image of the savannah and name one animal they might see there. Then, ask them to name one difference between the two landscapes.

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a worksheet showing pictures of animals. Ask them to draw a circle around the animals that live on the Kenyan savannah and a square around animals that live in the UK. They should write one sentence explaining their choice for one animal.

Discussion Prompt

Ask students: 'Imagine you are planning a trip to visit the Kenyan savannah. What three things would you pack to help you see the animals and explore the landscape?' Record their ideas and discuss why each item would be useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main features of Kenyan savannah?

The savannah consists of flat grasslands with acacia trees, termite mounds, and rivers. It experiences wet and dry seasons, supporting herds of herbivores like wildebeest and predators like lions. For Year 2, use close-up images to point out textures and colours that differ from UK meadows, building descriptive vocabulary.

How does Mount Kenya compare to UK mountains?

Mount Kenya rises to over 5,000 metres with forests, moorlands, and ice caps, unlike the lower, rounded UK peaks such as Ben Nevis. Its equatorial location means unique biodiversity. Simple sketches or globe views help students grasp the height contrast and equatorial position.

What animals live on Kenyan savannah and how do they compare to UK?

Iconic animals include elephants, lions, zebras, and cheetahs, which roam vast areas. UK equivalents like deer or foxes are smaller and adapted to temperate woods. Venn diagrams let children list similarities in needs like food and shelter, and differences in size or speed.

How can active learning help teach Kenyan landscapes?

Active methods like sorting habitat photos, building dioramas with natural materials, and matching animals to maps engage multiple senses. Small group work encourages talk about observations, correcting misconceptions on the spot. These approaches make Kenya feel real, boost retention, and link to UK places through direct comparisons, aligning with KS1 progression.