Some  students need a chance to learn in different ways.  Jamie Oliver said the other night on Parkinson, that he struggled at school except in food and geology.  He learned through his hands! 

The students are given the brief of creating models of waterfalls to explain how they are form.  These were for an interpretation centre near the landform.  The best will be exhibited in the foyer of the school. It is also a competition.  They have a deadline, which helps to motivate them.

They watch a video about the formation of waterfalls and they have some other sources such as diagrams from a variety of textbooks.  They are given clear criteria for geography and creativity.

'One year  I had a chance to enjoy judging these and the sheer horror that crept on my face  when I had to think up criteria on the spot.  The quality of the work was so high.  One group had used all natural materials.  Moss was used in an appropriate place, two kinds of rock were deployed. In another water was pumping round.  Watch out Charlie Dymock!  I would like you to celebrate this work because of the delight on the faces of the student. This fulfils the 3 Ps principles of participation, pride and public to motivate students.'

Why not get each group to do a different river landform for a drainage basin exhibition!

Chris Durbin