(Re) Planning Urban Areas

Y10 - Changing Settlements in the UK

"Investigate two contrasting rural regions in the UK, eg the Highlands of Scotland and East Anglia.."

The new GCSE spec (2012) has thrown up many changes specifically within Unit 2 - People and the Planet. First up is the new topic that Y10s are now studying, and it requires a study of two contrasting rural areas within the UK. Living spaces are vital, and I feel that it is important to understand what functions we require within a living environment as a society. 

Following a lesson exploring the changing landscape of the South East and the introduction of modern 'planned,' commuter towns such as Harlow in Essex, we decided to re-develop the whole of East Anglia. Moving aside the tables and chairs, the pupils set about constructing a life size map of the region across the classroom floor. They then had to choose ideal sites for development based on a heated discussion about which areas are ideal to be built on. 

Once the idea of creating new islands within the Thames Estuary was thrown out, despite my attempt to talk about the scrapped idea of a "floating Heathrow," they got underway thinking about the features of a new town. Below are the results, with a pleasing emphasis on sustainability and strangely education. 

Well Done - Mr. J

Literacy in Humanities - 500 Words

Travelling into work every morning along the M18 may well be a hard slog if it wasn't for several things. The first is TMS (Test Match Special) during the winter tours. Next winter will be the Ashes in 2013/14, this year saw England win in India for the first time during my lifetime.

If cricket is not on and Nick Grimshaw is playing too much noise for 7am, I like to listen to the bonkers broadcasting of Chris Evans over on Radio 2. This week he launched the annual "500 words," competition for children under 13 years old.

This prompted me to think of assessments for Y7, and one SDP target which is to extend literacy opportunities across the school. This would be the perfect chance to link the work that we have been doing on extreme environments and this nationwide competition. Initially I think we [you] could produce a creative story based on a journey to one of the extreme environments that we have studied so far. Therefore you could write about an epic adventure to the glistening glaciers, or perhaps a survival story in the desperate deserts. Maybe you are an endangered animal in the rainforest fighting against the destructive forces of deforestation? The possibilities are endless, get thinking now before half-term!

MR. J. 

Vimeo Videos

Vimeo is a video sharing site, and has some excellent HD quality movies that highlight how beautiful our world is...this is one example below filmed using time-lapse and perfectly emphasises the wonder of iconic landscapes. How many places can you identify?

Hope you are enjoying the snow.....
MR. J.

ICONIC CIVILIZATION

Iceland 2013 meeting Monday 21st Jan

Hi all,
Exciting times!! It's now 2013 and we're off to Iceland in 9 months 11 days!!!
I'd like to see all 42 of you please Monday morning break time in humanities 8. We're at a point where I need dietary and medical info from you and it needs to happen as quickly as possible.

If you can't make it you need to come and see me please.

See you on Monday,

Miss Whetstone

Y8 - Geography Challenge 2013

Y8 - Geography Challenge 2013

This year Y8 groups will be competing in the Geography Challenge 2013. This competition will run over the next half term, and the aim of the challenge is to create an innovative product that will help solve a geographical problem of choice. So far the groups have identified several local and global scale problems that the world currently faces. Ranging from energy issues to eating habits most groups are currently deciding on the best option, and generating a list of possible solutions that have the potential to change our world. Using the TASC framework (below) pupils will eventually face the "Hayfield Den," and pitch their product to a number of secret investors....good look and remember the GeoVation equation:

If you would like to post your ideas to the wall or follow what is happening, use the cork board below:
Or scan the QR code to go straight through to the page on your mobile device:

Created with Wallwisher

Wallwisher: http://wallwisher.com/wall/8JGeography

Good luck all, fingers crossed!

Mr. J

Created with Wallwisher

Beyond the Mountains.....

This is a trailer for a potential film/ documentary exploring the majestic Highlands of Scotland. If this doesn't want to make you get outside walking, not much will...


If some of you are keen walkers, and might be off to Scotland in your holiday's, one way of exploring these mountains is to tackle the Munro's:

"The Munros are the highest of Scotland's mountains, 282 mountain tops named after the man who first catalogued them, Sir Hugh Munro. The Munros are among the finest mountains in Scotland.

The Corbetts are the equivalent mountains with altitudes between 2500ft and 3000ft and The Grahams between 2000ft and 2500ft. Whilst smaller in stature many Corbetts and Grahams rival Munros for walking and climbing." 

I have managed to "bag," 3 Munros and had one failed attempt due to a whiteout approximately 200m from the summit. 

Let me know about your efforts...

Mr J

Revision Techniques

In order to help those who are struggling with revision techniques for memorizing endless amounts of fascinating geographical knowledge, I will occasionally post pictures of students work to give you a few ideas. 

The first image below is an outstanding example of cue cards. Emily Wright (Y10) produced these to help her not only visualize key themes, but also include a range of keywords. These cards are ideal as they are not too big, and reduce the content into manageable sized chunks. 

This process helps Emily because the simple effort required to create these meant that she has reviewed the learning that has taken place in the classroom. Then she can look at this set either together as themed cards, read, cover and repeat or simply focus on the concepts that she finds more difficult. Great effort Emily, hopefully the work will pay off when you get your result tomorrow....

Mr J

Y9 and Y10 End of unit exams

End of Unit Tests

To all those who are in my GCSE groups Y9 & Y10 you both have EOU tests on Friday 11th Jan 2013. Y9 should be frantically revising Climate Change and Y10 Population Dynamics. If you have any last minute questions please get in touch by hunting me down, or over the following methods if you prefer to be anonymous. (Use the comment box at the bottom of the page please for Friday...)

Blog - www.hayfieldgeography.blogspot.uk

Twitter - @HayfieldGeog

BlogThis!

Living Geography: BBC KS3 Bitesize

KS3 Bitesize Geography contains a lot of new content, including animations byAardman. Check the ACTIVITY option for each section to play fun interactive games. Explore the patterns of Crime in Noseyford, or the coastal processes at Sleepton Regis...

There are 6 sections to the new site.
Places 
Antarctica, Awesome areas, Extreme environments, Geography of Europe, Contrasts within a continent.

Spaces
Rural areas and farming, Settlement in urban areas, Geography of crime

Interdependence 
Population and migration, Globalisation and global trade, Development

Physical processes 
Glaciation, Plate tectonics, Rivers and flooding, Coasts, Weather and climate

Human processes 
Changing shopping patterns, Sustainable futures, Tourism, Geography of sport

Geographical enquiry 
Geographical skills
Well worth checking out. 

Mr. J - with thanks to Alan Parkinson