Sunday, 19 October 2014
Using Maps To Understand The Conflict In Gaza
Excellent 'infographic style' video using maps and graphs to explain what's happening in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, with a focus on the Gaza Strip. Great for visual learners.
Friday, 17 October 2014
Homework Wall To Organise Your Students!
As a teacher, even though I only teach A-levels, I am constantly having to help my students (and myself) get organised. In particular I find it difficult to keep homework assignments organised.
It's very easy to end up in a state of confusion once, inevitably, homework deadlines start to be missed and you end up with a pile of this weeks homework, plus a few from last week, plus a few from the week before, in addition to the pile you have already marked to give back. Then you have the pile of nameless assignments and the students who insist they gave in their homework to you but you must have lost it.
Collecting homework in can also be an issue - tell them to leave it in your pigeon hole and some will inevitably forget meaning you have extra work chasing them down. Collect it in in class and you waste valuable lesson time and have to deal with a big pile of loose sheets of paper, almost never stapled together with only the front sheet named, that is the last thing you need when your desk is already full with 3 or 4 other piles of paperwork that you prepared for the lesson.
Then you have the issue of keeping track of who's handed in their homework on time, who handed it in late and who hasn't handed it in at all, so that you can dish out the appropriate rewards or punishments. All in all it's all to easy to end up with yet more work to do (as if you didn't have enough already!).
Until recently I've been lucky (in some ways) to teach only small classes of no more than 10 students and hence have got by with no real system of organisation. However, when I found out I would have 20 this year I realised I'd better come with something to make things easier - it took a bit of setting up but I can now present to you my HOMEWORK ORGANISATION STATION!
It's very easy to end up in a state of confusion once, inevitably, homework deadlines start to be missed and you end up with a pile of this weeks homework, plus a few from last week, plus a few from the week before, in addition to the pile you have already marked to give back. Then you have the pile of nameless assignments and the students who insist they gave in their homework to you but you must have lost it.
Collecting homework in can also be an issue - tell them to leave it in your pigeon hole and some will inevitably forget meaning you have extra work chasing them down. Collect it in in class and you waste valuable lesson time and have to deal with a big pile of loose sheets of paper, almost never stapled together with only the front sheet named, that is the last thing you need when your desk is already full with 3 or 4 other piles of paperwork that you prepared for the lesson.
Then you have the issue of keeping track of who's handed in their homework on time, who handed it in late and who hasn't handed it in at all, so that you can dish out the appropriate rewards or punishments. All in all it's all to easy to end up with yet more work to do (as if you didn't have enough already!).
Until recently I've been lucky (in some ways) to teach only small classes of no more than 10 students and hence have got by with no real system of organisation. However, when I found out I would have 20 this year I realised I'd better come with something to make things easier - it took a bit of setting up but I can now present to you my HOMEWORK ORGANISATION STATION!
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Drop The Bias - A Poem For Israel
A poem more from the Israeli side, as promised! Which one do you prefer?
Check The Facts And See - A Poem For Gaza
Just came across this video recorded at a Stop The War event I attended in London a few years ago around the time of Operation Cast Lead. Since I'm teaching about the Israel-Palestine conflict at the moment I thought this was an interesting way to present some background info - and another way to learn. Perhaps you could try writing your own poem to explain a concept or case study in geography?
Poem from the Israeli perspective to follow!
Monday, 13 October 2014
To what extent is the Demographic Transition Model applicable to countries at different stages of economic development? (15 marks)
This is a pretty tricky question so it's important to read it carefully. I decided to make a help sheet breaking down the question as a lot of students struggle with these types of essay questions.
First of all, here is the mark scheme, you may want to have another look at this later:
River Rejuvenation Experiment!
I found some of those little channels on the beach as the tide was going out so thought I'd try illustrating some river processes; try it yourself next time you're on the beach!