Lesson Aim: To gain a clear understanding as to how nutrients are recycled within an ecosystem, through examination of the question 'how can a salmon become a tree?' Lesson Objectives: 1. To determine what the nutrient cycle is 2. To explain what decomposers and detritivores are 3. To speak with confidence about the role of salmon in the nutrient cycle of an Alaskan forest Resources included: PowerPoint presentation including hyperlinks to animated clips A4 nutrient cycle sheet (back to back with salmon life cycle diagram- to be laminated for future use) G&T/ More able additional reading material- how humans can influence the nutrient cycle Lower ability picture prompts- will also need scissors and glue if these are used (six sets provided) Lesson 2 of 10 from my new scheme of work on Biogeography (Ecosystems). Also works as a stand alone lesson on the nutrient cycle. Fully differentiated with resources and additional research tasks for lower and higher ability pupils. This lesson is from a scheme of work that I have written for my Year 8 groups, but it could easily be adapted for Year 7, 9 or even KS4. Three progress checks have been incorporated into this lesson.

Lesson Aim: To gain a clear understanding as to what deserts are and the ways in which plants have adapted to survive here. Lesson Objectives: 1. To draw a desert soil profile 2. To define the key terms xerophytic and succulent 3. To identify a range of desert plants and to establish how they have adapted to life here Resources included: *PowerPoint presentation including desert sky hyperlink . * Lesson plan * Desert plant adaptations card sort plus statement sheet Lesson 7 of 10 from my new scheme of work on Biogeography/ Ecosystems. Also works as a stand alone lesson on plant adaptations to life in hot deserts. Fully differentiated with resources and additional research tasks for lower and higher ability pupils. This lesson is from a scheme of work that I have written for my Year 8 groups, but it could be easily adapted for Year 7 or 9. This lesson requires pupils to make use of: *Heinemann 'Understanding GCSE Geography for AQA Specification A' (Bowen and Palmister, 2009) text book. * Scissors and glue. * Life on Earth – episode 5, Deserts- this is required for an optional plenary activity so is not essential. Three progress checks have been incorporated into this lesson.

Lessons include: 1. Introduction to ecosystems 2. How can a salmon become a tree? The nutrient cycle 3. Biomes 4. What are the characteristics of tropical rainforests? 5. Climate in tropical rainforests 6. How are animals adapted to life in hot deserts? 7. How are plants adapted to life in hot deserts? 8. Threats facing ecosystems- coral reefs 9. Biogeography end of unit test 10. Unit review lesson SoW includes: * Detailed lesson plans including regular progress checks * Powerpoint (52 slides) to accompany lessons, complete with hyperlinks to various websites and videos * A range of supporting worksheets and differentiated material- each lesson is differentiated for both less and more able students. You will also require access to: • Heinemann 'Understanding GCSE Geography for AQA Specification A' (Bowen and Palmister, 2009) text books • Wider World textbooks (old or new) • Atlases • New Basics text book- p.136 • Life on Earth- Episode 8, Jungles, episode 5, Deserts, episode 9- The Shallow Seas This is one of my favourite units to teach to my year 8 groups, however it could easily be adapted for Year 7 or Year 9.

Lesson Aim: To practice writing accurate geographical descriptions and conducting additional research using a range of sources. Lesson Objectives: 1. To establish what a biome is 2. To use an atlas to describe the geographical distribution of biomes 3. To carry out additional research to add biome facts to your maps Resources included: PowerPoint presentation including hyperlinks to video clips Lesson plan Lower ability biomes card sort Homework mapping worksheet (print the six slide PowerPoint document as a single-page A4 handout sheet) Lesson 3 of 10 from my new scheme of work on Biogeography/ Ecosystems. Also works as a stand alone lesson on biomes. Fully differentiated with resources and additional research tasks for lower and higher ability pupils. This lesson is from a scheme of work that I have written for my Year 8 groups, but it could be easily adapted for Year 7 or 9. Three progress checks have been incorporated into this lesson.

Lesson Aim: To establish the links between geography and biology and to gain a clear understanding as to what makes up an ecosystem. Lesson Objectives: 1. To find the fib and identify the correct definition for the term ‘ecosystem’ 2. To establish what makes up an ecosystem 3. To conduct research into a small scale ecosystem- a hedgerow. Resources included: PowerPoint presentation A3 Worksheet Lesson plan Lesson 1 of 10 from my new scheme of work on Biogeography (Ecosystems). Also works as a stand alone introduction to ecosystems lesson. This lesson requires pupils to make use of Wider World textbook in addition to the green Heinemann 'Understanding GCSE Geography for AQA Specification A' (Bowen and Palmister, 2009) text book. I have incorporated co-operative learning activities in this initial lesson to enable pupils to work together on differentiated research tasks, with the aim of building a detailed A3 worksheet based on the completion of their component parts. Each pupil will eventually receive an individual A4 copy of their worksheet. I have incorporated three progress checks throughout this lesson and have also included a small-scale ecosystem research task for homework. I have written this scheme of work for my Year 8 groups, but it could easily be adapted for Year 7 or 9. Additional research tasks included to stretch and challenge pupils.