Greetings new Year 10s...
The first part of your homework is to cover your book with a geographical theme.
The second part of your homework is to leave a comment on the blog, with an interesting geographical fact. Do your best to tell me something I don't know already... There might be a prize for the most interesting fact!
To leave a comment, you need to click on the "Comments" button at the bottom of this post. Type your comment, and then enter the "captcha". You should not need to have a Google account to leave a comment (although it is useful to have one anyway). Your comment will not appear straightaway, as they come to me to be moderated first, but I will make sure I check regularly and publish them as soon as I can. Please make sure that you are writing in "proper" English (ie nt txt spk), and also, put your FIRST NAME (not your surname, although if there are two people in your group with the same name, the initial of your surname as well would be helpful), and if you are in my group VEl and for Miss Bradford's group LBa in your comment.
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Yr10 Controlled Assessment - Data Presentation
A reminder about a couple of things that I mentioned to you this morning if you are in my group, and that Miss Bradford will be mentioning next week if you are in her group:
- GE Graph is the tool that allows you to add data into placemarks and therefore create graphs in Google Earth. There's more info here about it from Noel Jenkins, and from the Google Earth Community here.
- There's a really useful blog post here, also from Noel Jenkins. It was written about ways the Google Earth could be used in coursework, but most, if not all, of the ideas could also be used in your Controlled Assessment.
- Although it's written for A Level, the guide here about how to draw an isopleth map is quite useful if you need a reminder.
Don't forget that the key purpose of your data presentation is to present your findings in a clear, logical and accessible way. Think about what you want each map or graph to show, and make sure that you choose the type of map or graph accordingly.
- GE Graph is the tool that allows you to add data into placemarks and therefore create graphs in Google Earth. There's more info here about it from Noel Jenkins, and from the Google Earth Community here.
- There's a really useful blog post here, also from Noel Jenkins. It was written about ways the Google Earth could be used in coursework, but most, if not all, of the ideas could also be used in your Controlled Assessment.
- Although it's written for A Level, the guide here about how to draw an isopleth map is quite useful if you need a reminder.
Don't forget that the key purpose of your data presentation is to present your findings in a clear, logical and accessible way. Think about what you want each map or graph to show, and make sure that you choose the type of map or graph accordingly.
Monday, 7 June 2010
DME resitters....
I'm hoping that those of you resitting the DME are making regular visits to the blog as it seems that Sports Day, Maths exams (and, I'm sorry to say, a bit of exam stress and/or general apathy on your part!) are getting in the way of us having any sort of conversation about the DME before your exam.
A new series of 'Mary Queen of Shops' has just started on BBC2 (it's 9.05pm on Monday 7th June as I write this!) and the focus of the series is to help out local shopkeepers and give them some support in keeping their small businesses running - not sure how useful it will be, but might be worth a watch.
I also have some photos that I took when we were in Sheringham with the Year 13 geographers a few weeks back, which are on Flickr here. As you will know, the last couple of resources in the booklet (and therefore, presumably, the decision) focus on Sheringham and the proposals for a supermarket there. There was much discussion about the proposals to build a Tesco in Sheringham, and the majority of local people fought very strongly against it. Miss Taylor and I were amazed that, in a town similar in size to Alfreton or Ripley, we found only five shops/businesses that we had heard of (ie 'chain stores' of some description) and even then, those five included names like Julian Graves - not exactly McDonald's or Tesco!
A new series of 'Mary Queen of Shops' has just started on BBC2 (it's 9.05pm on Monday 7th June as I write this!) and the focus of the series is to help out local shopkeepers and give them some support in keeping their small businesses running - not sure how useful it will be, but might be worth a watch.
I also have some photos that I took when we were in Sheringham with the Year 13 geographers a few weeks back, which are on Flickr here. As you will know, the last couple of resources in the booklet (and therefore, presumably, the decision) focus on Sheringham and the proposals for a supermarket there. There was much discussion about the proposals to build a Tesco in Sheringham, and the majority of local people fought very strongly against it. Miss Taylor and I were amazed that, in a town similar in size to Alfreton or Ripley, we found only five shops/businesses that we had heard of (ie 'chain stores' of some description) and even then, those five included names like Julian Graves - not exactly McDonald's or Tesco!
Saturday, 5 June 2010
DME...
Those of you resitting the DME could do worse than to have a listen to this podcast from Mark Howell who is a Geography teacher in Northampton. As well as discussing and explaining the resources in the booklet, Mark also talks about the sorts of questions that you can expect for each of the resources...
A quick search of the iTunes store will bring up lots of other geography revision podcasts as well. Or, you could make your own!!
A quick search of the iTunes store will bring up lots of other geography revision podcasts as well. Or, you could make your own!!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Monday, 3 May 2010
Exam Papers
Some past exam papers now uploaded to the Revision Ning... If you haven't joined yet, check your school emails for the link.
Friday, 30 April 2010
DME Resits (Yr11)
Those of you resitting the DME (at least those of you who are not STILL on holiday...) will be interested to know that the resource booklets are in school and you will be receiving them soon.
I've been at a meeting this afternoon to discuss ideas and put together some teaching resources, and we'll get some lunchtime/after school sessions up and running soon.
In the meantime, the theme (as you should know by now) is "Local shops for local people?", so you can get thinking about what the issues might be, and do a bit of research. I've put a few links together here and will continue to add to this list. If you find anything particularly interesting, either leave a comment here with the link, or email it to me and then everyone can benefit.
I've been at a meeting this afternoon to discuss ideas and put together some teaching resources, and we'll get some lunchtime/after school sessions up and running soon.
In the meantime, the theme (as you should know by now) is "Local shops for local people?", so you can get thinking about what the issues might be, and do a bit of research. I've put a few links together here and will continue to add to this list. If you find anything particularly interesting, either leave a comment here with the link, or email it to me and then everyone can benefit.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Cadbury....
To add to the information you already have about Cadbury from our visit and from the DVD, etc., it is worth having a look at the Cadbury website and their corporate website.
Remember, Cadbury will cover several case studies (secondary industry, industrial location factors, TNC, Fairtrade, LEDC development/aid project...) for the Economic Systems and Development unit, so it is in your interests to know it inside out!
Remember, Cadbury will cover several case studies (secondary industry, industrial location factors, TNC, Fairtrade, LEDC development/aid project...) for the Economic Systems and Development unit, so it is in your interests to know it inside out!
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Thursday, 28 January 2010
GOOD LUCK!
Tomorrow is the big day...
Remember, read the questions carefully, answer the question that you're asked, use the evidence from the booklet to support your answers, allow enough time (1/2 hour) for the decision question...
GOOD LUCK - I know that you will do brilliantly!
Remember, read the questions carefully, answer the question that you're asked, use the evidence from the booklet to support your answers, allow enough time (1/2 hour) for the decision question...
GOOD LUCK - I know that you will do brilliantly!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Muaitheabhal windfarm gets the go-ahead
Those of you who've had a look at the Moorland Without Turbines website will have seen the news that the 33-turbine Muaitheabhal windfarm on the Isle of Lewis (further south than the 181-turbine proposal that your decision is likely to focus on) was given the go-ahead on 14th January. Here is the press release from the Scottish Parliament...
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Year 11 - DME
A few more links...
I am not sure why I didn't have this one - Moorland Without Turbines - on my original list. It is (hopefully obviously!) the website of a group opposed to the development of windfarms on Lewis and the other Western Isles, and there are lots of useful/interesting bits and pieces including photos, media coverage and the group's response to planning consent being granted on 14th January 2010 for the 33 turbine Muaitheabhal windfarm in the south of Lewis. There is also a number of maps detailing the various windfarm projects on Lewis and Harris.
You might also like to have a look at this .pdf document that I've just come across on the Lewis Wind site... The first paragraph of the Executive Summary reads:
The key objective of the study has been to help the Western Isles to deliver economic and community benefit by identifying renewable energy potential, including the role for different scales of energy generation compatible with environmental obligations. A second objective has been to identify other opportunities for sustainable development initiatives across the Western Isles.
At 133 pages, I wouldn't necessarily expect you to read all of it, but there are some interesting points made... (Note that this study was commissioned by Lewis Wind - the company who are proposing the windfarm developments.)
Some of you were asking the other day about crofting... The Scottish Crofting Federation website has lots of photos and a FAQs section.
If you want to know more about peat, then you could do worse than to visit the website of the International Peat Society. Also, this Guardian article looks at the Isle of Lewis crofters who are returning to the old tradition of cutting peat to use as a domestic fuel - and considers the environmental impacts of peat-cutting on the protected peatland areas.
The Explore Scotland site has a range of information about the Outer Hebrides, including a tourist guide with maps of the area and a Lewis Virtual Tour.
I am not sure why I didn't have this one - Moorland Without Turbines - on my original list. It is (hopefully obviously!) the website of a group opposed to the development of windfarms on Lewis and the other Western Isles, and there are lots of useful/interesting bits and pieces including photos, media coverage and the group's response to planning consent being granted on 14th January 2010 for the 33 turbine Muaitheabhal windfarm in the south of Lewis. There is also a number of maps detailing the various windfarm projects on Lewis and Harris.
You might also like to have a look at this .pdf document that I've just come across on the Lewis Wind site... The first paragraph of the Executive Summary reads:
The key objective of the study has been to help the Western Isles to deliver economic and community benefit by identifying renewable energy potential, including the role for different scales of energy generation compatible with environmental obligations. A second objective has been to identify other opportunities for sustainable development initiatives across the Western Isles.
At 133 pages, I wouldn't necessarily expect you to read all of it, but there are some interesting points made... (Note that this study was commissioned by Lewis Wind - the company who are proposing the windfarm developments.)
Some of you were asking the other day about crofting... The Scottish Crofting Federation website has lots of photos and a FAQs section.
If you want to know more about peat, then you could do worse than to visit the website of the International Peat Society. Also, this Guardian article looks at the Isle of Lewis crofters who are returning to the old tradition of cutting peat to use as a domestic fuel - and considers the environmental impacts of peat-cutting on the protected peatland areas.
The Explore Scotland site has a range of information about the Outer Hebrides, including a tourist guide with maps of the area and a Lewis Virtual Tour.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Frozen Earth
Not a brilliant response from Year 10 to the snow challenges last week.... However, I was extremely impressed with Grace's effort:
Year 11 - DME
Lots of links here that will be of use/interest:
Energy Gap Links:Britain facing large energy gap (BBC News article, Nov.05)
Britain 'faces power cuts threat' (BBC News article, Sept. 08)
Energy gap means nuclear power is a must (Telegraph, July 09)
Energy entrepreneurs can plug the gap in our energy supplies (Telegraph, Nov. 09)
Closing the energy gap (Greenpeace/WWF summary paper, Sept. 08)
The Energy Gap (Guide from Sense about Science)
Launch of £100bn wind energy programme (Guardian Jan. 2010)
General Wind Energy Links (how it works, etc.):
Energy Kids - US site explaining how wind energy works, types of turbine, etc.
BBC Video on How Wind Produces Electricity
BBC News - Government sets 2020 renewables targets (video clip)
Pro- Wind Energy Links:
British Wind Energy Association
Proven Energy includes energy calculator and allows estimate of energy production
Dept. Energy Wind Speed Database online and downloadable database that links to GIS.
EcoTricity - why wind energy?
Wind Power Works - part of Global Wind Energy Council, various facts & figures, including 12 wind farm case studies from around the world.
Anti- Wind Energy Links:
Fairwind lobby group for Ardnamurchan, Morven and Mull
Isle of Lewis Wind Energy Links:
Google map link to Pentland Road Site, Eilean Siar (Isle of Lewis)
BBC News (video clip) about Lewis proposals
BBC News (video clip) about opposition to Lewis proposals
RSPB report about Lewis Windfarm proposals
Scottish Government News Release - decision on Lewis windfarm planning application
Scottish Wildlife Trust - response to planning application decision
Also, some of you were having trouble finding the Teachers' TV video - Electricity for the Future. It's here. I believe that some of you have watched it in Science, but it'll be a useful reminder of how electricity is generated and might provide you with some evidence to support the decision you make in the exam next week.
Year 10 - Worldmapper, Urbanisation and Google searching...
The excellent maps that we started this morning's lesson with are part of Sheffield University Geography Department's Worldmapper project. Click on the image below to go to the website:
I also intended to tell you about the BBC's Urbanisation Interactive, which is part of their Urban Planet In Depth report and is great...
Also check out Google Timeline, Google Wonder Wheel (search as normal, and then click Show Options) and Google Squared...
I also intended to tell you about the BBC's Urbanisation Interactive, which is part of their Urban Planet In Depth report and is great...
Also check out Google Timeline, Google Wonder Wheel (search as normal, and then click Show Options) and Google Squared...
Friday, 8 January 2010
£100 bn for offshore windfarms
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Year 10 Geographers.... SNOW!!!
Hopefully you will have spent some of your time off over the last few days keeping an eye on the snow news, and looking at the weather forecasts (including deciphering those pressure charts with the big high pressure area over Greenland...).
You are most welcome to do some research and reading about changing shopping patterns and out-of-town shopping centres (and Meadowhall being closed early because of the snow!) and also make a note in your diary to watch Slumdog Millionaire (Wednesday 13th January, Channel 4, 9pm) and Slumming It (Thursday 14th January, Channel 4, 9pm).
However, your official work while we're not in snowy Swanwick is.... to do AT LEAST four of the following (hopefully interesting and fun) Geography Snow Challenges. You must provide some evidence for each challenge you complete - this can be in written form (ideally a comment on this blog post, but email will be fine either), photographs (emailed, or uploaded to Flickr - send me the link or leave a comment on here with it), video (emailed, or uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube - again, email the URL or leave a comment here)...
The challenges are for my group and Miss Bradford's, and can be completed individually or collaboratively. If you are leaving a comment, make sure that you include your first name, and the initial of your surname if there's another Year 10 geographer with the same first name as you.
I'd also like you to have a think about why it is that we're struggling so much (as a country) to cope with the conditions - and leave a comment here with your answer.
Enjoy!!
The Geography Snow Challenges:
You are most welcome to do some research and reading about changing shopping patterns and out-of-town shopping centres (and Meadowhall being closed early because of the snow!) and also make a note in your diary to watch Slumdog Millionaire (Wednesday 13th January, Channel 4, 9pm) and Slumming It (Thursday 14th January, Channel 4, 9pm).
However, your official work while we're not in snowy Swanwick is.... to do AT LEAST four of the following (hopefully interesting and fun) Geography Snow Challenges. You must provide some evidence for each challenge you complete - this can be in written form (ideally a comment on this blog post, but email will be fine either), photographs (emailed, or uploaded to Flickr - send me the link or leave a comment on here with it), video (emailed, or uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube - again, email the URL or leave a comment here)...
The challenges are for my group and Miss Bradford's, and can be completed individually or collaboratively. If you are leaving a comment, make sure that you include your first name, and the initial of your surname if there's another Year 10 geographer with the same first name as you.
I'd also like you to have a think about why it is that we're struggling so much (as a country) to cope with the conditions - and leave a comment here with your answer.
Enjoy!!
The Geography Snow Challenges:
1. Measure the depth of undisturbed snow on grass.
2. Collect a cup of snow... Bring it inside and let it melt. How much water does it produce? Is this more or less than you expected?
3. If you have a thermometer at home, keep a record of the temperature... How does it change? Why? Keep a record of the times when it’s snowing... Watch the sky and how it changes... How do the temperature, the weather conditions and the state of the sky relate to each other?
4. Choose a particular spot – somewhere in your garden... or out of your bedroom window. Take a photo every hour. Put them together in MovieMaker to make a timelapse movie... (Email me the finished product, or upload to Vimeo or YouTube and email me the link.)
5. Wrap up warm and put your wellies on... Then go for a walk. Put together a snow/ice/cold weather hazard map for your local area.
6. Find some black paper and freeze it. When it snows again, take your frozen black paper outside and catch some snowflakes. Look at them carefully (with a magnifying glass if you have one). Describe them. Have a go at taking some photographs of them.
7. Make a glacier... Send me photos and/or video...
8. What does the snow look like? Feel like? Smell like? Sound like? (Taste like? H&S!!)
9. Make a geographical sculpture... The Eiffel Tower? The Taj Mahal?
10. Make some icicles or freeze some bubbles...
11. Something else!!! Can you come up with your own interesting educational snowy geographical challenge?
Year 11 - DME Preparation
Good evening Year 11. Hopefully you are enjoying the snow - and keeping an on the forecasts and the news reports...
We will most likely be back on Monday so that you can have your DME booklets and we can get started properly with the preparation for the exam on 29th January. In the meantime, however, it's worth you having a think about the energy crisis, alternative forms of energy, wind energy, and the Isle of Lewis. I've gathered quite a few links together which I will post tomorrow. Had we been in yesterday afternoon, however, the plan was for us to watch this Teachers' TV video which looks at the production and use of electricity, the impacts of our energy use, and considers where we'll get our energy from in the future. It would be very useful for you to watch the video, note down any key words, and then to do some research around the topics mentioned earlier. If you find any particularly useful websites, email me the URLs, or leave a comment here with the link.
And when you have done so much work (!) that you need to go play out, have a go at one or two of the activities in the Year 10 post... Have fun!
We will most likely be back on Monday so that you can have your DME booklets and we can get started properly with the preparation for the exam on 29th January. In the meantime, however, it's worth you having a think about the energy crisis, alternative forms of energy, wind energy, and the Isle of Lewis. I've gathered quite a few links together which I will post tomorrow. Had we been in yesterday afternoon, however, the plan was for us to watch this Teachers' TV video which looks at the production and use of electricity, the impacts of our energy use, and considers where we'll get our energy from in the future. It would be very useful for you to watch the video, note down any key words, and then to do some research around the topics mentioned earlier. If you find any particularly useful websites, email me the URLs, or leave a comment here with the link.
And when you have done so much work (!) that you need to go play out, have a go at one or two of the activities in the Year 10 post... Have fun!
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