Later this year, 50 students and 6 staff will head out to Reykjavik for the Iceland trip. To get you in the mood, here's a video made by Discover the World: the company we are using for our trip.
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Cheddar Gorge being formed...
Some excellent play dough work last week as we prepared for Open Morning.
Here's Cheddar Gorge being formed, with the ice age river flowing through the nascent gorge and even forming caves where it swirls into gaps in the cliffs on either side.
Here's Cheddar Gorge being formed, with the ice age river flowing through the nascent gorge and even forming caves where it swirls into gaps in the cliffs on either side.
Geography in the News
As always, stories we are studying in Geography are very much in the news.
New for this year is the #trendinggeography board, where subjects in the news can be displayed: an idea gained from Twitter.
What do you think are the most #trendinggeography stories of the weekend ?
New for this year is the #trendinggeography board, where subjects in the news can be displayed: an idea gained from Twitter.
What do you think are the most #trendinggeography stories of the weekend ?
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Pole to Pole to Bourne...
Mr. Parkinson was up in Lincolnshire today sharing the work we do at King's Ely with a group of teachers ...
Here's the presentation he used for those who are interested...
Here's the presentation he used for those who are interested...
Monday, 8 June 2015
Cathedral view
During last week's service at the Cathedral, the sun shining through the stained glass produced a wonderful lighting... I hope you enjoy this special place when you visit each week.
Bonus merits for students who point out any features of specific geographical interest...
Bonus merits for students who point out any features of specific geographical interest...
Saturday, 23 May 2015
California bans microbeads...
And here's another story... California has voted to ban plastic microbeads.
Microbeads are typically smaller than five millimetres in diameter, but are a significant source of water pollution, with one jar of facial cleanser containing up to 300,000 tiny plastic pieces that wash down drains and accumulate in lakes, rivers and oceans.
Microbeads are typically smaller than five millimetres in diameter, but are a significant source of water pollution, with one jar of facial cleanser containing up to 300,000 tiny plastic pieces that wash down drains and accumulate in lakes, rivers and oceans.
Mapping ocean plastics
A new addition to the unit of 'The Geography of Stuff' has been an exploration of the ocean and ocean plastics. We discussed the nature of the plastic that makes its way into the oceans, and included some cartoons, to include the source of many of the plastic microbeads, which are included in a lot of personal grooming products.
Ocean plastics are a growing problem - not that they haven't been around for years, but because we are now realising that they are finding their way into small fish.
There is a nice interactive map on this link.
Ocean plastics are a growing problem - not that they haven't been around for years, but because we are now realising that they are finding their way into small fish.
There is a nice interactive map on this link.
Ban on throwing away food...
As always, the topics we cover in Geography at King's continue to appear in the news and be topical.
This time, it's food waste, and a story that large supermarkets in France (and perhaps elsewhere) face a ban on throwing away food.
As we've already said, wasted food is wasted water... and effort...
This time, it's food waste, and a story that large supermarkets in France (and perhaps elsewhere) face a ban on throwing away food.
As we've already said, wasted food is wasted water... and effort...
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
King's Ely geographers featured in 'The Guardian'
Our work that we have been doing in Year 7 on the Oceans was featured in the Guardian's Teacher network section today.
Miss Kyndt and I's work for the last few years got a write-up. A few slight changes from what I originally sent through, but a nice summary of the work we've done on our 'You are what you eat' unit.
Well done on all your hard work during the exams as well.
Miss Kyndt and I's work for the last few years got a write-up. A few slight changes from what I originally sent through, but a nice summary of the work we've done on our 'You are what you eat' unit.
Well done on all your hard work during the exams as well.
You are what you eat project
Alan Parkinson, geography teacher at King’s Ely in Cambridgeshire, taught oceans as part of a year 7 unit. He introduced the “you are what you eat” project to teach about food issues and sustainable resourcing.
Students were introduced to the various methods used to catch fish and their effect on the environment. They constructed models of trawlers with string to visualise the impact on the sea floor, and investigated more sustainable alternatives, such as farming fish like sea bass and tilapia.
Using paper plates and cardboard cut-outs, the children made fish and chips dishes with messages written on them. Each fish explained why it was threatened, whether by overfishing or pollution, while the chips were labelled with ideas for helping the fish to survive, such as introducing no-catch zones.
Students were then asked to create an eco-friendly menu. They had to select three meals and, using their new knowledge, ensure each delicacy was sustainable, for example, using locally sourced ingredients and avoiding overfished species such as cod and haddock. They linked up with the food technology department, and some groups were allowed to cook their dishes.
The key idea of the unit is to show how human activity effects the environment. The unit also helps students develop their inquiry skills, using digital mapping to source and locate suppliers of fish.
Parkinson says the variety of different activities involved in this project went down well with students. “From making the menus, the students started to see how decisions we make on a daily basis have an impact on other people and other places. It helped them appreciate the understanding of sustainability, and explore ideas like seasonality, animal welfare and food miles.”
Monday, 18 May 2015
Lego - photo challenge
You may remember last year that the Daily Mail had a Lego give-away and I encouraged you to get an Arctic explorer figure to use in our lessons, or as a prop in films. The give-away is back, and there are 2 relevant sets this time: the tractor for Year 7s (Wednesday) and the city bin lorry for Year 8 (Thursday) - food and 'stuff'...
Merits to those KEJ students who send me a photo of their new vehicle in an appropriate setting...
Merits to those KEJ students who send me a photo of their new vehicle in an appropriate setting...
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Volvo Ocean Race movie... for Year 8s...
Today the Volvo Group's Ocean Summit on Marine Debris took place in Newport - a serious problem for marine ecosystems. bit.ly/a-call-to-action
Posted by Volvo Ocean Race on Friday, 15 May 2015
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