Whilst many of us are getting ready for heading back to school I thought I’d share with you my resources for the first few lessons with my GCSE students. Although it’s all one PowerPoint, I break it up as required.
I start the year off by outlining the course, the examinations and specification content.
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Followed by the course outline, what they can expect and what they need to get started. At this point I’l give out books to those that wish to continue working in a book and ensure those that wish to use a folder have paper.
Next I explore the support available to students and how we encourage them to ask for help if they need it.
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Next I’ll go into reviewing subject content. This year I’ll be getting students to return to subject content from year 9. They covered The Challenge of Resource Management in terms 5 and 6 and therefore I’d like to see what they can recall.
I’ll be starting with a bit of retrieval using a question grid.
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Students will then self-assess as we discuss and review the answers.
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Students will then use what they learnt in all three topics in year 9 to the discuss the link between resources and conflict.
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This activity has been inspired by this resource on TeachItGeography.
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I’ve taken the images out of my PowerPoint but you can find them at the above link if you wish to use them.
I’m then going to introduce ACE feedback to those I’ve not taught before by getting them to peer assess.
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If time, they will make improvements and then peer assess again using PA Points focusing on terminology. Again inspired by the resource above.
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In one of the following lessons, once the Assessment for Learning booklets are printed and ready to go I will then cover being responsible learners, assessment for learning and feedback in Geography.
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I find that explaining feedback to students particularly useful in supporting them to understand how, where and when they will receive feedback and what to do with it. I also find it important to help them to understanding that the teacher is not the only one that can help them in their learning.
In addition I give students a copy of the ‘Welcome to Geography’ sheet and ask them to glue into the front of their book or folder for reference. This provides them with essential information as suggestions for GCSE Geography Revision. This year however I’ve added it to the AfL booklet.
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If you’d like to download the powerpoint and sheet click here.
A few others have adapted and made their own versions for other specs.
OCR (A) Geographical Themes by Vicki Reed, @VickiLouise17
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OCR B – Geography for enquiring minds (J384) by Natalie Batten, @Nat_Batten
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Both can be found in the folder above.
If you’ve made use of the ‘Welcome to GCSE Geography’ document for other Geography exam boards or other subjects, get in touch and I will add them to the post.
Hope you can find the resources of use.
Best wishes for the new academic year.
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