Geography - Skills - Describing Places

A big lesson with lots of opportunity for differentiation and engagement, as well as paired or group work.

Basically, students learn how to describe places, and then apply this skill. It would work well as a skills building lesson in KS3, or as an end of term type lesson with either KS3 or KS4.

There are differentiated resources for lower and higher, and a number of ways in which the activities could be undertaken (which are in the lesson plan). There are teacher notes and a lesson plan. The activities are clear, and there are Superstar extension activities.

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The main aim is…
This is a big lesson which could be used as an end of term activity, or as a skills building lesson.
Students either learn or develop their geographical terminology and then apply / demonstrate using photos of actual places.

Key ideas and content…
We can describe places using geographical language.
It is more effective to use the correct key terms and descriptive language.

To differentiate…
Pass the sheets round on a timer, with the challenge of either adding more key terms or improving existing ones.
Stick the sheets on the wall around the room, give each student a different key term to look for. Students go round the room.
Insist on certain terms being applied.

To extend…
Insist on a description of features which aren’t necessarily visible.
Students find their own photos and analyse them.
Peer assessment.
There are some tricky terms in the key terms activity, use to stretch students.

To assess…
Discussion points.
The work produced.
Peer assessment opportunity.