Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
2nd Year Exploring Our World: Local and Global Connections
This course introduces Year 2 students to the fundamental concepts of physical and human geography through the lens of their local environment and the wider world. Students develop spatial awareness and environmental stewardship while investigating how people and places interact.
01Mapping My World
Students develop foundational spatial skills by creating and interpreting maps of familiar environments. They transition from 3D models to 2D representations of their immediate surroundings.
Understanding the concept of a plan view by looking at everyday objects and rooms from above.
Students will draw a simple map of their classroom, including key furniture and areas, using basic symbols.
Navigating the school grounds to identify key landmarks and record them on a basic site map.
An introduction to directional language and the four cardinal points of the compass.
Students will learn to use a simple compass to identify cardinal directions within the classroom and outdoors.
Students will explore various map keys and symbols, understanding their purpose in conveying information efficiently.
Students will apply their map-making and directional skills to create a treasure map for a hidden object.
02The Local Community
An investigation into the human features of the local area and the services that support the community.
Exploring the variety of housing types in the local area and the materials used to build them.
Students will investigate different materials used in local housing and discuss their properties and origins.
Identifying the different jobs people do in the community and how they help us.
Students will identify and map important services and facilities in their local area, such as shops, parks, and libraries.
Examining how people move around the local area and the infrastructure that supports travel.
Students will discuss traffic rules and road safety practices relevant to their local community.
03Physical Features and Weather
Students observe and record local weather patterns and identify physical features in the Irish landscape.
Using simple instruments to observe, measure, and record weather conditions over time.
Students will create a simple weather chart to record daily temperature, rainfall, and cloud cover.
Identifying and naming major physical features of the Irish landscape, focusing on elevated landforms.
Students will learn about the journey of a river from its source to the sea and identify major Irish rivers and lakes.
Investigating the properties of different rocks found in the local environment.
Students will explore different types of soil and understand their importance for plants and animals.
Students will explore the characteristics of the four seasons in Ireland and how they affect the environment and human activities.
04Contrasting Localities
A comparative study between the students' own locality and a contrasting area in Ireland or abroad.
Exploring how living near the sea influences daily life, work, and leisure.
Students will identify common coastal features like beaches, cliffs, and harbours, and discuss activities associated with them.
Comparing the daily life of a child in a rural Kenyan village with life in Ireland, focusing on climate and housing.
Students will explore the daily routines, chores, and leisure activities of children in a rural Kenyan village.
Investigating the advantages and challenges of living in urban versus rural settings, focusing on the environment.
Students will compare the types of jobs, services, and community interactions found in urban and rural areas.
05Caring for Our Environment
Students explore how human actions affect the environment and identify ways to protect their local area.
Following what happens to our rubbish after it leaves the bin and the importance of recycling.
Students will learn to differentiate between items that can be recycled and those that can be reused, and practice sorting.
Understanding where our energy comes from and why we should use it carefully.
Students will learn about the water cycle and identify ways to conserve water in their daily lives.
Identifying local plants and animals and understanding how to protect their homes.
Students will design and create a small habitat in the classroom or school garden to support local wildlife.
06Planet Earth and Beyond
An introduction to the Earth as a planet, its place in the solar system, and the continents and oceans.
Using globes and world maps to identify the distribution of land and water on Earth.
Students will identify and name the seven continents and five oceans on a world map and globe.
Exploring how the rotation of the Earth creates cycles of light and darkness.
Students will explore how the tilt of the Earth's axis causes the different seasons.
Investigating the North and South Poles to understand their extreme cold climates and unique environments.
Students will learn about the hot, humid climate of the Equator and the diverse plant and animal life found there.