Fitting the jigsaw together...

I've often struggled to get students to link different aspects of Geography together. This is an essential skill, especially during the Avery Hill Cross-Unit Task. I hit upon an idea after seeing the excellent global warming videos highlighted on the SLN Forum recently. I really wanted to use these videos as soon as possible, however the issue of Climate Change comes much later in the year. Instead I used each video as a starter in a series of 2 lessons of flooding in Bangladesh. During the first lesson pupils had to link what they saw in the video (about energy saving) to flooding in Bangladesh. The second lesson I used the second video (with the polar bear at the end) and posed the following questions to the pupils:

1. Why should we care about Global Warming?
2. What can we do about it?
3. Link your answers to the issue of flooding in Bangladesh.

I was impressed by the students' grasp of the issue, and I believe that the links between the two issue were brought home. Another benefit of doing this was the resulting discussion about local effects of Climate Change also, and the level of scientific uncertainty over the issue.Following up on this idea I then used an LEDC or MEDC starter when introducing flooding in MEDC countries. The objective was to challenge the class preconceptions of what LEDCs and MEDCs look like

Comments

What makes a learning experience profound? Personal reflections and possible implications for classroom practice.

I have recently begun a Leadership Pathways journey. As part of the first core day, we were asked to reflect on a profound learning experience. This got me thinking about how many profound learning experiences I have both been involved in, and how many I have been able to give to others. Our group came up with a huge long list, but these are my five. Emotional Connected Demanding Reflective Collaborative As always, these are personal thoughts and quite mixed up. I put them here so that I can look back on them (plus they’d get lost inside my world-cup-free brain) 1. Emotional I can’t think of a time where deep learning hasn’t engaged my emotions. From being awe inspired to that tingle feeling when a student gets a light bulb moment. From this-is-the-happiest-day-ever, to I-think-I’m-about-to die. How often do we engage the emotions of those we teach? Here, I would argue that having a safe learning environment i...

Banned Word Board

Today I want to share some simple ideas that I have found to be very effective in the classroom. I can't say that they are my own original ideas, although I have played around with them. The first is the Banned word Board. This is a simple display in the classroom that lists a number of words that are not allowed to be used by pupils in their written or oral answers. The effect has been an increase in the quality of written work, and I have almost made comments such as 'Sir it's simple, the stuff just affects the thing and causes people problems'. Pupils are now more able to use specific language, something that is vital especially at GCSE. I have had to make a few modifications, such as the introduction of 'Heavenly Words' This is an additional display placed on the ceiling. I found this necessary as pupils needed some stimulus in finding replacement words. After advice received after posting the idea on the SLN forum , I have also introduced semi-banned words...

Year 10 need your help! Can we get Twitter and Facebook in to a GCSE project?

I’ve been told that social media has no place in the classroom. Now, this post is not to battle that argument head on. Let’s smash it. This week, Year 10 are visiting Hengistbury Head . They are investigating whether this piece of coastline should be protected. They are wondering what you think? You may know the location well, you may not know it at all. But we’d like to hear from you all the same. This will either result in some usable data and comments, or not. Either way, we'll know and I’m sure that your comments will help spark discussion in class! What would Year 10 like me to do? Just simply comment on this post or tweet me, with an answer to this question: ‘Should Hengistubury Head be protected from the Sea? Just answer Yes or No and give a brief reason. It would also be useful if you could tell us whether you know the area or not. Many thanks in anticipation…… Image – my own.

David Rogers

Search This Blog