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You heard it on the Geo-Grapevine..... 

If you need an up-to-date quick guide to what is new on this website, then this is the place. This is the latest national news on events and resources relevant to geography teachers in Staffordshire and beyond.


You can use this space

If you would like your event for the geography teaching world advertised, then please send a 20-80 word summary, a small image and a link to: kate.russell@staffordshire.gov.uk

If it is very short notice, then by all means use the on-line forum.


GA Study Tour to Poland: 28th July - 10th August 2010

This year's GA Study Tour is to Poland, which includes Gdansk, Torun, Warsaw, Auschwitz, Krakow and many other highlights. Good value at £825. Draft itinerary here; Booking form here; itinerary highlights here. There is the possibility of two travel bursaries of £200 each for young teachers in their first 5 years of teaching to help them join the tour. Conditions on request from Adam Nichols.


Join the North Staffs GA Branch and meet fellow colleagues!

Further Details of forthcoming events, contact details, an application form and news from past events are here.

The Geographical Association North Staffordshire Branch map of africa coloured according to the percentage of the adult ages 15 49 population with hivaidsLecture Programme for 2009 - 2010 is now available. All meetings are at 7.30pm  on Wednesday evenings at Staffordshire University, Leek Road site in Stoke, in room LT4 Ashley Building.  Where possible the lecture notes will be made available BUT it is not as good as the real thing!  

A new Shropshire branch was established in 2007; details of the programme of activities is on their website; members of North Staffs Branch are entitled to attend the Shropshire lectures free of charge! That's exceedingly good value!


Make the link - Climate exChange

Plan UK is working in partnership with The Citizenship Foundation on an EU funded (free to UK schools) project to promote learning, dialogue and action on climate change in secondary schools. The project will provide teachers with lesson plans and teaching materials (including a fully interactive web platform). A series of 7 lesson plans forms the core of this project. Via the web platform and/or letter writing, we will connect students to other students in schools in Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Bulgaria and The Netherlands. We are primarily targeting KS3 and KS4 teachers.  Flyer here Further information on the project or any of the organisations involved, please contact  Rachel Landman, EC Schools Outreach & Recruitment, Development Education 02074829774 rachel.landman@plan-international.org


Reflections on a week in Oldenburg, Germany

Follow the link from the photo for a very interesting article on the "cycling city" of Oldenburg and the lessons it provides for increasing cycling in the West Midlands and the UK in general.

Jon Fairburn, Institute for Environment, Sustainability and Regeneration, Staffordshire University


TIDE~ events in the West Midlands and publications

DFID Global School Partnerships
These day courses are designed to support schools with their planning for global school partnerships.  They are offered in partnership with Bridges – making global connections and DFID Global School Partnerships.
The courses are free to attend but booking is essential.
Thursday 28th January 2010 ~ Building Effective Partnerships
For teachers with experience of school partnerships. Participants will be encouraged to examine the quality of their school partnership relationship and consider how this can be consolidated and developed further.
Tuesday 2nd March 2010 ~ Global Education in Partnership
For teachers with experience of school partnerships.  The course will explore global learning approaches and consider the opportunities that arise within a school partnership to take this forward.  The day will look at ways of working together with partner schools to develop curriculum plans.
Thursday 18th March 2010 ~ Introduction to Global School Partnerships
For teachers interested in developing a global learning partnership. The course will explore the principles, educational benefits, practicalities and viability of global school partnerships. We will be exploring the pros and cons and the preparation needed before finding a partner school.

Science & Technology
Tuesday 2nd March 2010 and Thursday 17th June 2010
Global learning for science and D&T teachers ~ connected curriculum  development at KS3
This course is an opportunity for pairs of Science and D&T teachers, from the same school, to explore and try out creative curriculum development at KS3 through global learning.  There will be opportunities to develop classroom ideas and contribute to a publication sharing experiences with a wider audience.  Free to attend, booking essential

Music and Dance
Thursday 4th March 2010 ~ Global learning through Music and Dance
Day workshop for primary teachers in partnership with Music for Change to explore ways of enhancing the opportunities visiting artists provide.  We will be joined by Indian Kathak dancer, Sujata Banerjee and Calypso singer Alexander D Great.  
The workshop is subsidised and costs £25 to attend.  
 

Primary conference
Tuesday 30th March 2010
Conference: Ideas into action ~ Global learning in the primary curriculum
Millennium Point, Birmingham
This conference highlights recent innovative practice from schools.  It raises questions about how we engage and inspire learners in a changing global context.
It is for anyone who wants to use the new curriculum as an opportunity for creating change ~ especially teachers, heads, LA advisors and others working with schools throughout England.
Key speakers include Robin Richardson, Director, Insted. Participatory workshops will be led by practitioners. See the website for more details, www.tidegloballearning.net
Conference fee £150

Secondary Conference
Thursday 24th June 2010
Conference: Making it work ~ Creative KS3 curriculum development...
Birmingham
This conference will share ideas about creative cross-curricular approaches to curriculum development in secondary schools.  It will take inspiration from big issues for communities locally and globally with a focus on: climate change; community cohesion; health & wellbeing; economic regeneration.
There will be an opportunity to hear from classroom practitioners and professionals responding to these four themes.
This conference will be of interest to teachers, school leaders, LA advisors and others working with secondary schools. See website for booking details www.tidegloballearning.net

**Early booking rate of £120 applies for all bookings made by 23rd April 2010**

What do you think of the Tide~ website?
Click here to complete a short survey
http://www.tidegloballearning.net
….you could win £50 worth of resources!

For details of these opportunities go to the teacher CPD section of the website www.tidegloballearning.net   Contact Jackie Zammit, Tide~ Centre,  Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG Tel Direct 0121 202 3290 jackie@tidec.org

To request a copy of the full programme of events and catalogue or to book your place on conferences and courses go to www.tidegloballearning.net  You can pay by credit/debit card or request an invoice if you book this way.


RIGS Geotrails

A new Geotrail from the Staffordshire RIGS Group is of the
Lower
Churnet valley. Following on from the Hamps and Manifold Geotrail, this new 25 km Geotrail provides insight into the geology, geomorphology and industrial heritage of the Lower Churnet Valley between Froghall and Alton. The leaflet explains the dramatic global environmental changes that have produced the rocks and shaped the landscape, which in turn gave rise to specific industrial activity. To obtain copies of the leaflet please email:- Rosie.Duncan@staffs.ac.uk  or r.i.waller@esci.keele.ac.uk or Staffordshire Regionally Important Geological Sites Group website www.esci.keele.ac.uk/srigs/


Geographical Association's Annual Conference

Investigating Geography 16th - 18th April 2009, Manchester

Booking is available now - www.geography.org.uk/events/annualconference/

Sustaining Geography: Guildford March 2008

Did you miss the conference? Want to catch up with some of the lectures and other sessions? Have a look at the conference pages on GA website.. The conference also featured Our World Film Festival, with feature films being shown and the results of the pupils and teachers' film making competitions. All details here.

Geographical Futures: Derby April 2007

If you were not at the conference then catch up with some of the news on the GA website and for a more informal view from Andrew Stacey, which includes lots of pictures from SLN and GGiP stalwarts

Sensational Geography:  Manchester April 2006

For those of you who missed a treat last year and were not able to attend the annual GA conference, you can read about it and get some of the resources which were used by visiting the GA website with their reports of the conference or read Alan Parkinson's excellent report of the event too on Geography Pages!


Geography at Staffordshire University

Staffordshire University is in the top 15 out of 65 universities offering Geography (Guardian University Guide 2008). A range of new awards are being offered
BSc (Hons) Environment and Sustainability
BSc (Hons) Environmental Conservation
BA (Hons) Sustainable Communities.
For details of these and other courses and information about the geography department visit www.staffs.ac.uk/geography The link on the left is a poster which you could display in the department.


Become a Fairtrade School

The Fairtrade Foundation has launched ‘Fairtrade School’ status for Primary and Secondary Schools in the UK. The Fairtrade mark guarantees a better deal for farmers and workers in the developing world. For schools, Fairtrade provides the opportunity to learn about farming, trade and developing countries and as well as the chance for children to make a real difference by promoting or buying Fairtrade. Fairtrade is an ideal topic for subjects such as geography, PSHE and citizenship, or promoting Fairtrade could be a project for the school council. The Fairtrade School scheme compliments also Eco-Schools Status. For more information about becoming a Fairtrade School and to register for the scheme visit the Fairtrade Foundation website. Bridges Development Education Centre provides practical support and guidance to schools in the West Midlands who are working towards Fairtrade status. Contact Davina at Bridges by email or telephone 01952 255526.


Support for students 14 -19

With increasing choices for students post KS3 on-line databases of support are increasingly valuable. Two of these are:
The Staffordshire 14-19 on-line prospectus
ALPS Aimhigher Learning Pathways System


National Geographic Kids Magazine

Introducing a WILD new magazine for children! National Geographic Kids is the new monthly EDUtainment magazine for boys and girls. Jam-packed with the fascinating features and amazing images you’d expect from the National Geographic brand, National Geographic Kids is everything an inquisitive young mind needs. Let’s get kids excited about their world!

Special offer Subscribe to National Geographic Kids today and save over 30% on the regular price. Receive 12 issues for just £24!*

 *Regular price £35.88. Please quote reference NGK SLN


Chartered Geographer (Teacher)

Chartered Geographer (Teacher) is the only ongoing professional accreditation linked to CPD in Geography and is being aligned to be relevant to the developing TDA framework of professional and occupational standards for teachers.  CGeog (Teacher) can support your application for a leadership or Advanced Teacher role and enhances your career portfolio and employability.

Chartered Geographer (Teacher) is available to teachers who can demonstrate competence, experience and professionalism in the use of geographical knowledge or skills in and out of the classroom, and who are committed to maintaining their professional standards through ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).
 

You will need:

·    an Honours degree in geography, a B.Ed with geography or a related degree (or 15 years teaching experience if no relevant degree is held);

·    at least six years teaching experience, and

·    demonstrable commitment to CPD, embedding it in your practice, and supporting others. 

"This status has greatly benefited myself, members of the department and my students", Garry Atterton, a CGeog of three years standing

For more information and an application pack please contact Claire Wheeler, RGS-IBG, Email: cgeogteacher@rgs.org, Tel: 0207 591 3053

 


Register of research - forthcoming events

The register of research is maintained by Rachel Bowles; she has complied details of forthcoming events for all those interested in geographical information follow this link .


newsite.gif (147 bytes)Websites of the moment

The Spring 2007 edition of Global Eye for primary pupils has a an eye on the Nile, a Journey down the Nile on camera and a focus on Water! As usual this edition is well worth a look and very suitable for pupils www.globaleye.org.uk


Naace Weather Project 

Do you regularly or periodically collect weather data? The New Naace Weather Project allows users to view and upload weather data. Any user can view and download data. 

Those wanting to upload data can upload data to suit themselves. They can vary the quantity of data and the period of data collection. Teachers or educationalists interested in making weather data available worldwide should contact Alan Rodgers. They will be supplied with a user name and password. 

To view data already available visit the MAPE website  and select the Weather Project. Teacher’s notes


SLN geography Field weekend

The SLN forum "regulars" enjoyed the SLN field weekend, in the Peak District on February 11 - 13th. Have a look at the forum thread here. Val Vannet booked us into Hartington Youth Hostel (a well recommended establishment!)   We did a "sponsored walk" on the Saturday in aid of the Asian Tsunami appeal, in rain, wind, sleet and hail! 

More photos and stories here!


Geography of football

Millennium Point, Birmingham

A fantastic exhibition of football photos from all round the world. I was particularly struck by football being played in all sorts of adverse conditions.

Details and a few samples available www.rhubarb-rhubarb.net/05-exhibitions.asp

Andy why not visit the new TIDE Centre 0121 202 3290 www.tidec.org while you are at it.


Staffordshire Colleagues go round the world

International Links - is the new and developing county International Links web-site on your "favourites" list?

Do you also subscribe to the International Links e-Update?
How to register .... Intranet login


SLNgeography@Saxony  - April 2004 - Brilliant

Photo: Schlema

Colleagues from Staffordshire were made a return visit to Saxony in  April 2004. The hospitality of our German geography teacher colleagues was second to none. 

A previous trip proved very successful. The image above was a Uranium mine! Now is a health spa! More details to be found at: http://www.sln.org.uk/geography/saxony/Default.htm 


International Cartographic Association 

The Commission on Cartography and Children has produced a newsletter.  If you would like a copy email Patrick Wiegand


The GA Website - now lists events and news

All geography teachers should join their professional association at:

Spend some time at www.geography.org.uk


Humanities CollegesThinking of applying for specialist geography status?

From October 2003, schools have been able to apply to be specialist Geography Colleges within the new Humanities Specialist Schools Programme.  Further details are to be found on the website of the Specialist Schools Trust http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/

We would like to hear from you.  Can we help you? Contact kate.russell@staffordshire.gov.uk We can advise you on the quality of your geography as well as develop ideas and visions for your school. 


innovating with geography
Broader matters relating to geography 3-19Geography Matters

New from QCA - Innovating with Geography

A site where geography is where it is at, networking good practice.  Congratulations to all those concerned.

Click the image to find out more


Farming and Countryside Education 

www.face-online.org.uk/ 

For further details of events email Janet Hickinbottom or tel 024 7669 6388 

 


Geography Action Week: 13th - 18th October 2003 
Images of Geography

Stories and pictures from the action in Staffordshire Schools here

 

 

Thanks to all and don't stop celebrating cultural diversity


Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to kate.russell@staffordshire.gov.uk
Copyright © 2007 [QLS Staffordshire County Council]

This page last updated 11 February 2010