Useful Geography Resources
You may find the following resources useful in undertaking
investigations, using thinking skill approaches to your teaching
and learning and in providing interesting starters for your
lessons. Many of the resources are taken from the QCA innovative
geography website (http://www.qcda.gov.uk/14120.aspx)
and also the excellent Staffordshire Learning Network (SLN)
website (www.sln.org.uk/geography).
We are greatful to all of the teachers who have posted their work
on these websites. If you have any materials that you think
would be useful to share with collegues, please email us at
dpottage@cfbt.com. The
documents below open with either Microsoft Word, Microsoft
Powerpoint or PDF Reader.
Investigations
Much of geography is about students asking questions in the form
of enquiries or investigations. Below are some of the many examples
that are available on the internet. Much of this material comes
from the QCA website (http://www.qcda.gov.uk/14120.aspx).
Mysteries
In the typical mystery, the students are given a series of cards
related to a specific question such as "Why was Bob the Builder not
allowed to build on the flood plain?" The students sort these cards
into groups entitled "trigger factors", "useful background
information" and "red herrings". From this sorting exercise the
students can work out the answer to the mystery. In questioning the
students, the teacher will need to regularly ask the question
"why?"
Odd One Out
From a word list, select three words and ask the students "which
is the odd one out and why?" An extension to the task is for the
students to replace the chosen odd one out with another word which
would fit with the two remaining.
Powerpoint Starters
A variety of starter activities including "A Question of Sport"
style activities, "what's hiding behind the box?" and "what's in
the rest of the picture?".
Other
Other various documents to fit as lesson ideas.