This is a special seafood issue of the Mission:Explore Food book that has provided the basis for the preps in Year 7 this year...
Some interesting ideas here to add to your prep tasks...
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Food
There are so many directions that we could take the Food topic and we've sort of scratched the surface (or peeled back a bit of pith from the tangerine ...)We haven't yet gone into the impact of the changing tastes of China and India, who now want the same meat and foods that we in 'the West' eat... or the problems facing the world's soils, which are losing fertility, or the disease that threatens to wipe out bananas, or .... etc.
I came across the Wordle next to the printer, on the theme of chocolate and thought it was great. Two merits to whoever created it if they come and find me...
And when you've finished your meal, don't use a coffee pod to make your coffee...
Keep an eye out for related food stories... Merits available for those who bring them in and share them with Miss Kyndt or myself...
Arctic infographic
A very useful infographic for the future of the Arctic from the Lords Arctic Committee report. Don't attempt to read the report as it's very long, but see what you can pick out from this report.
If you want to follow the committee they have a Twitter account.
If you want to follow the committee they have a Twitter account.
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Saturday, 21 February 2015
A food map to explore
I was sent a link to this food map over the half term.
Click for the large version
I think the Fens is also a fabulous food region, and Year 7 are going to explore what we produce in our area that could go on a similar map which we can create over the next half term.
Keep food miles to a minimum by researching local food producers.
Here's a few that spring to mind:
Corkers Crisps
British Sugar - refineries for beet in the area go to make Tate and Lyle and other granulated sugar
Breweries e.g. Elgood's and other micro-breweries
Waterland Organics - veg boxes etc.
Fenland Celery (blogged about previously) - G's Fresh Ltd.
What else can you find ?
We also have to organise a few other food related things, such as some cooking.
Remember that the first few weeks when we come back are Fairtrade Fortnight.
And finally, I hope your food Missions are coming along nicely!!
Click for the large version
I think the Fens is also a fabulous food region, and Year 7 are going to explore what we produce in our area that could go on a similar map which we can create over the next half term.
Keep food miles to a minimum by researching local food producers.
Here's a few that spring to mind:
Corkers Crisps
British Sugar - refineries for beet in the area go to make Tate and Lyle and other granulated sugar
Breweries e.g. Elgood's and other micro-breweries
Waterland Organics - veg boxes etc.
Fenland Celery (blogged about previously) - G's Fresh Ltd.
What else can you find ?
We also have to organise a few other food related things, such as some cooking.
Remember that the first few weeks when we come back are Fairtrade Fortnight.
And finally, I hope your food Missions are coming along nicely!!
Monday, 16 February 2015
Valentine's flowers.... the thorn behind the flower...
As with all the things we consume, we are connected by our purchases to other countries, communities and families.Last weekend was Valentine's Day, and this Guardian article describes the people who grow them, and how their life is.
A reminder of the KS3 Toolkit 'A Thorny Issue'...
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Have a good half term...
Enjoy the half term...
But also keep an eye out for things related to the topics you are learning about...
a) chocolate (perhaps Valentines' or otherwise) - is it Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance or CocoaPlan certified ?
b) catch up with the BBC2 show 'Alaska: Earth's Frozen Kingdom' - looks at the impact of the change from Polar winter to Polar summer, and the brief period when things spring to life when the sun returns
c) Food - keep an eye out for food miles of things you eat, whether you waste food or not when eating out perhaps...
d) Consumption patterns - what do you buy ? listen to ? What were your parents' cultural objects when they were teenagers ?
We'll see you all in a week...
But also keep an eye out for things related to the topics you are learning about...
a) chocolate (perhaps Valentines' or otherwise) - is it Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance or CocoaPlan certified ?
b) catch up with the BBC2 show 'Alaska: Earth's Frozen Kingdom' - looks at the impact of the change from Polar winter to Polar summer, and the brief period when things spring to life when the sun returns
c) Food - keep an eye out for food miles of things you eat, whether you waste food or not when eating out perhaps...
d) Consumption patterns - what do you buy ? listen to ? What were your parents' cultural objects when they were teenagers ?
We'll see you all in a week...
Friday, 13 February 2015
Earth Primer - some people who like it...
We're getting the Earth Primer app within the department, and using it with a number of year groups. Staff members have a copy on their iPads too.
Here are some reviews of the app on the Earth Primer website...
Here are some reviews of the app on the Earth Primer website...
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Cultural Geography and our possessions
Year 8 are exploring the Geography of their Stuff...
What we own is part of our culture.... it is guided by a range of influences...
Cultural Objects
This is an idea from Tony Cassidy from 2007, and I've used it a few times over the years, but not for some time, and the last time I did it was with Year 11. This is Tony thinking back to his teenage years (as you can see, he's quite young...)
What are the items that he most identifies with a range of headings, and
The cultural objects relate to particular areas:
These are the headings that Tony used: are there any other headings that you think we should perhaps use in the work:
Here is another set, this time from my wife:
and here are mine:
What about you ?
What are your cultural objects ?
Where are they manufactured ?
Which cultures are you influenced by ?
What we own is part of our culture.... it is guided by a range of influences...
Cultural Objects
This is an idea from Tony Cassidy from 2007, and I've used it a few times over the years, but not for some time, and the last time I did it was with Year 11. This is Tony thinking back to his teenage years (as you can see, he's quite young...)
What are the items that he most identifies with a range of headings, and
The cultural objects relate to particular areas:
These are the headings that Tony used: are there any other headings that you think we should perhaps use in the work:- Social Network
- Mobile Phone Network
- Website
- Gang / Group
- Catchphrase
- Graffiti Tag
- App
Here is another set, this time from my wife:
and here are mine:
What about you ? What are your cultural objects ?
Where are they manufactured ?
Which cultures are you influenced by ?
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Antarctic Science
I've been marking the Year 8 exams that were sat earlier today, and it got me wondering how many times people had taken the time to come here and read the wide range of supporting materials.
When people go on to study a subject at university, they often use the term 'reading...' to describe what they are doing...
Reading, and keeping aware of the news is part of learning a subject, not just what happens in the 50 minute chunks of time that are spent in your lessons.
We've spent the large part of the last 4 months studying a whole range of aspects of Polar life, some of which we featured in the exam...
Union Glacier, the Inuit, food prices in Iqaluit, the opening up of the NW passage, problems of wind chill, the changing climate of the Polar year, and the melting of Arctic sea ice etc are all still happening right now...
Here's some science happening today for example, via one of the Twitter feeds that we follow at our @KingsElyGeog twitter feed...
If you're serious about developing your ability in a whole range of subjects, it's time to start 'reading' around them a little more... a little at a time... five minutes a day following up a news item, or taking a look at BBC Newsround and making some connections... There's over 500 blog posts here since the start of last year for immediate reading material too..
When people go on to study a subject at university, they often use the term 'reading...' to describe what they are doing...
Reading, and keeping aware of the news is part of learning a subject, not just what happens in the 50 minute chunks of time that are spent in your lessons.
We've spent the large part of the last 4 months studying a whole range of aspects of Polar life, some of which we featured in the exam...
Union Glacier, the Inuit, food prices in Iqaluit, the opening up of the NW passage, problems of wind chill, the changing climate of the Polar year, and the melting of Arctic sea ice etc are all still happening right now...
Here's some science happening today for example, via one of the Twitter feeds that we follow at our @KingsElyGeog twitter feed...
Great day out on the #antarctica plateau with @toyota_europe #hilux to collect seismometers @AntarcticBase pic.twitter.com/sW5d1EJgZG
— Riet Van de Velde (@teitepeteir) February 3, 2015
If you're serious about developing your ability in a whole range of subjects, it's time to start 'reading' around them a little more... a little at a time... five minutes a day following up a news item, or taking a look at BBC Newsround and making some connections... There's over 500 blog posts here since the start of last year for immediate reading material too..
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Earth Primer: coming soon to the Geography department.... in fact it's here already...
A month or so ago, I picked up on an app that was getting ready for adding to the App store. I contacted Chaim Gingold, who worked on the game called SPORE some years ago, and found out more about it, and started to get excited about the potential for teaching the ideas that underpin geomorphology to a lower school audience, and those who may just be interested in finding out more about how the Earth works.
The app is now live on the App store at a cost of £7.99, and is called Earth Primer.
Take a look here.
It allows the user to explore the world in an exciting way and explore how processes that shape the earth work.
There are several sections which are possible to work through and these include a look beneath the surface of the Earth as well as the range of processes which change the surface.
Work through the book to unlock tools which can then be used in the Sandbox section of the app.
I'm working on some education materials for the app, which will be available in a few weeks time.
The app is now live on the App store at a cost of £7.99, and is called Earth Primer.
Take a look here.
It allows the user to explore the world in an exciting way and explore how processes that shape the earth work.
There are several sections which are possible to work through and these include a look beneath the surface of the Earth as well as the range of processes which change the surface.
Work through the book to unlock tools which can then be used in the Sandbox section of the app.
I'm working on some education materials for the app, which will be available in a few weeks time.
Monday, 2 February 2015
Year 8 Exam week
Some final tips with a day of revision time left...
The questions are all related to the Poles... and the regions around them.
Expect to be asked about Polar landscape, climate, activities, changes and futures...
There are few questions which expect you to remember facts and 'stuff'.... this is about making use of data, maps and other resources to talk about what these areas are like. You've seen enough videos and done enough research and thinking to be able to do that I know.
Get in touch via my school e-mail with any final queries.
Good luck for Wednesday morning.
The questions are all related to the Poles... and the regions around them.
Expect to be asked about Polar landscape, climate, activities, changes and futures...
There are few questions which expect you to remember facts and 'stuff'.... this is about making use of data, maps and other resources to talk about what these areas are like. You've seen enough videos and done enough research and thinking to be able to do that I know.
Get in touch via my school e-mail with any final queries.
Good luck for Wednesday morning.
McDonalds around the World
McDonalds has produced a useful web page which connects to their activities around the world.
We will be using this as part of the Year 7 unit on Food... and also the Year 8 unit on the Geography of Stuff perhaps...
We will be using this as part of the Year 7 unit on Food... and also the Year 8 unit on the Geography of Stuff perhaps...
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