Essay writing

The zinger Tower Burger Case Study is to help students structure their work more in coursework/ essay writing. Thanks to Jon Blackwall, Hounslow Manor School. 

Literacy and Language for learning in geography

Fair Oak High School, Rugeley. Language for learning is new DfES initiative for key stage 3 in its pilot phase. Gary Dawson and colleagues in Rugeley are ahead of the game.
The full story here!

Wordmats OK

The full story & downloadable file here! Wordmats are multiplying. New ones on Italy, Rainforest, Tourism and Egypt.  The connectives mat, command word mat, volcanoes, earthquakes, rivers, coasts, settlement and agriculture and if the one you want isn't there, download one and adapt it.

Writing about place - setting

Maps can really help pupils write better settings in their English and in having to write stories from maps, they will become better readers of maps.  Ultimately it helps them become better readers of landscape. Paradise Island  Paradise Cards

This activity from Steve Gibbons of Sandbach School is available for you to experiment with.  It could be adapted to be an OS map extract rather than a fictional place.

Alleyne's High School, Stone - Pretend Real Purpose and Audience

Bob Jones has sent us this work from a more able year 9 pupil.  Bob uses the web to support extending more able pupils.   

The full story & downloadable file here!

Audience and purpose

Here, Clayton High School, Newcastle-under-Lyme have an answer to raising standards of writing in geography.

They use real audience and purpose to ensure that pupils develop their understanding of the physical landscape.  There is some citizenship thrown in.  Congratulations to Angela Pattison and Paul Moss.
The full story here!

Globalisation says the essay is not dead! 

"The world is shrinking, and globalisation is making it shrink, but only for the benefit of a minority." Discuss.

Catherine Sumnall has written this essay which is an exceptional tribute to a 17-year old student.  It is a tribute to the Brian Lewis and his department at St John Fisher RC School, Newcastle-under-Lyme for stimulating such deeper meaningful thoughts amongst the students and releasing potential. Use it to stimulate your more able students and start the debate!