1-2 hour lesson
Lesson plan attached in full (updated)
Thinking starter image
Facts (prior knowledge check AFL)
Videos with questions on causes and impacts
News report with example, gapfill/ sentence starters
Plenary AFL
Worksheets to print
2 versions (diff AFL)
Very fun and engaging deforestation debate (they need some knowledge beforehand, otherwise your help during the debate). All students say it is the best geography lesson they had (including if I do this in other schools as a one off). All students are actively participating in every second of the lesson. I really enjoy this lesson but it is a lot of energy and they need to respond to you. For a class that are noisy/ active I used a bell per round (5), but other classes it is not needed.
Hot air balloon debate.
There is a bit of preparing time for all students at the start so they are ready.
Depending on their ability, during the “note taking” sections (between some rounds), you can give questions to volunteers/ help them out ready for the debate in advance. Otherwise, my students were just practicing their confidence and speech/ public speaking skills. E.g. I had one stand up high and speak loudly, and used the uniform as “one” to vote for him.
For example, they may ask for some advice. The lower abilities would take their books to read or use for ideas during this time. You may want to provide a finished handout for the volunteers as they are note taking (unless they are high enough ability to multitask it). I usually photocopy another students’ finished notes to give them because it is related to the actual debate they did, rather than what you’ll guess they will say.
After the debate, they have a good view on all stakeholders and can create their own speech about who they support. Sentence starters/ examples, prompts provided. Challenge included. Some students to share their speech afterwards.
This builds great confidence in their speaking, reading, and class support.
It is fast pace, so behaviour needs to be quickly acted upon.
Responsibility shared, more freedom and trust in the classroom. It is something different and worth trying if you haven’t. It will indicate whether you can trust/ give freedom in lessons.
This is a shorter version than my original to fit within 50mins-1hr class. It can easily be adjusted.
Updated: Great lesson that I completed in several schools. It can fit in 1 hour, or easily be 2 hours.
Starter - differences in words
Differentiated reading variety: less options from easy to hard (polar bear has missing information for higher ability to think of answers). Full options provide a range of animals if you wanted to provide more variety, have a longer lesson etc.
Images and maps included
Endangered > Extinct line with examples included for understanding (helps lower ability a lot)
Mind map - with examples
Definitions included - break down of words (included in the lesson plan for how to do this)
Reading information - highlighting (make sure those with polar bears know they don’t have the 2nd highlighter which is prompted on PPT but depending on your students’ ability you may need to tell them). The original reading can be changed to beginning if the school runs reading session routines, this will make them more familiar with the text and ready for the task.
Create a fact file. Success Criterion included. Challenge included.
Fact file works better as students focus on writing (e.g. Yr 8s mixed ability did half a page in 5 minutes). I used this class in the best schools in Basingstoke. If you have more time, you may want to do a poster but ensure they do not spend ages designing, writing a title or drawing pictures as this shows no application of knowledge.
Students present their work. Depending on time and resources, you may want a table (removed from PPT) for them to complete as students present. Otherwise just some simple notes for extra information, but their in depth information will be displayed in their animal/ work.
Plenary. If time pair discussions, then class. In PPT, I’ve set as class vote due to time.
Reading materials include pictures, graphs, maps, statistics etc. so they have to think about the information.
Check students’ reading ages before you give them an animal.
Easiest is turtle, then Panda. Majority of students like Panda level.
Orangutan has the heavy text which should be given to those who enjoy reading and have a higher than average reading age.
E.g. grammar stream students were given polar bear, elephants, orangutans (but kept some pandas for any students who may happen to struggle on this topic).
1hr lesson - TEEP model
Images - odd one out and why. Challenge included.
Definitions
Biomes
Animals - information collecting. Challenge included.
Short story on your daily life (as one of the animals)
Sharing
3, 2, 1 plenary
1hr lesson
PPT step by step answers, images, colour coded, for low ability/ consistency in answers.
Guess where - images and flag
Prior knowledge check
World map handout
Describe location
Video
Information search (around the room/ sheets)
Fill in sheets
Lonely planet introduction writing task
Peer assessing
National Graphic Magazine task
This is for Year 12 mixed ability. I recommend printing the worksheets file as A3, and the rest can be as A4. It involves resources e.g. books, but also plenty of up-to-date/ live information which will need to be accessed with internet. E.g. computers, phones, or teacher can print them out from the website.
The exam board are aware of these A-level textbooks having older data, but students can infer information as years have gone by. Add information/ own knowledge, their knowledge when looking at boroughs and images. Bring the lesson alive. E.g. One student mentioned the Green Bridge that was unsuccessful, has a similar one built in Manchester instead.
Pages are included in the PPT.
The aim from the AQA spec: Case studies of two contrasting urban areas to illustrate and analyse key themes set out.
This includes:
patterns of economic and social well-being
the nature and impact of physical environmental conditions
with particular reference to the implications for environmental sustainability, the character of the study areas and the experience and attitudes of their populations.
Helpful materials:
Dictionary - expected key terminology for A level and above
white (fourth edition) Hodder A Level textbook - used in this lesson but I have attached a double sided page of information which can be used instead or in addition
cool geography
Resources: PPT, Graph paper, Help sheets, Templates
Keywords: Hypothesis, Perception, Crime, Analysis, Conclusion
Starter activity: Where would you like to live? (from reading newspaper headlines)
• Describe different peoples’ perceptions towards crimes
• Identify patterns in crime perceptions
• Explain why there are differences in perceptions of crime
Key terms
Data
Hypothesis
Bar chart
Peer assess
Description paragraph
Conclusion
Review
Group sharing
Examples
Modelling on board
Colour coded
Help sheet to scaffold/ help
Template available for those who are struggling a lot
Prompt questions
Challenge – How might someone’s perception of crime be affected?
Full Lesson (observed by universities and other higher educational roles).
Slightly different trade game.
Learn about HIC, NEE, LIC - global trade imports, exports - inequalities - international events, etc. You may need a glossary or students may have some prior knowledge about development or globalisation. Reflection is most important.
Includes 6 countries. Each countries equipment list included. Amendable. Borrow students’ equipment if needed.
Added observer roles for high ability who (who can also act as referees to control behaviour if you have behaviour problems). Make sure they are rewarded. They watch the countries, report to you, and write up a report. A4 sheet with list of questions and prompts for them to complete.
Note: You can make it clear if you are allowing or not allowing stealing. I only had one class steal a lot. This can link back to some History and Geography such as South Sudan. Remember to control physical fighting.
After game, you have a discussion as they will probably have a lot to say or comment about. Cut it off at the appropriate time. Must calm back down with writing reflection notes.
Reflection cards for them to answer prompt questions with challenges. This links to development (not X stole Y etc.) Observers will write their short report. You may have some share at end.
I completed it with new classes - considered risktaking by most educators. E.g. Some schools and teachers have never done such a lesson.
I’d recommend doing this if you know the class well enough, attempted some freedom lessons that you can trust them during this game, otherwise you need to have good behaviour management or plan B if you struggle to control. I’ve done this and other freedom lessons with new classes often with strict rules because every student are able enjoy and interact with the lessons (with any ability).
I used this for observations and gave the “power” to strong/ high ability characters who were able to report everything to me (cheating) as the game went, as well as give rewards and consequences. Even my lowest abilities and SEND, EAL (no English), several behavioural students, all did AMAZING, including good use of key terminology. Honestly was really proud of them. They were able to make the link (maybe with prompts), and I did not need to call a high ability student to help. I only have 2 higher abilities in the class (and one was not in). This class were “successful” by several observers for passing placements and obtaining job offers. The best feedback was nobody attempts it for observation, and if they do - it is a disaster - so when I did this it was great (and the class isn’t a good ability class either)! I had 2 students run away over the fence just before class so they were noisy before class but they were perfect (address behaviour immediately as you need it for this class)
Starter - crime in London vs. your town
Objectives
Key terms - challenge included
Crime rates calculation - handouts and modelling examples - available on PPT - challenge included
Answers available on PPT (also handouts for slow students to keep pace)
Description paragraphs (gap fills), using the data as examples - challenge included
Choropleth map - instructions - modelling examples - challenge included
Peer assessing (with marks and WWW/ HTI) - deeper assessment - Thinking box included
Describe crime in books questions (using data) - challenge included
Review objectives
1hr lesson, can easily be 2 depending on ability/ pace you want to go
intro
stages of relationships
postitive and respecful relationships
and 5. contraception
Unintended pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy - not in here yet
STIs
HIV and AIDS
Change and loss in a relationship - not in here yet
Extra: Real events movie and discussion (created 2022 by students at a Bristol school who wanted to share awareness).
Ground rules included
SOW included
Handouts included
Help sheet included
All materials
All adaptable.
Lots of information you can add to it and statistics you can add to it.
I really enjoyed teaching these subjects and all the questions the students had.
Very important topic and education so it is bundled together and ready to share.
Note: This town had the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe for a very long time.
Children have many questions as they are not aware of many terms used. Lots of misconceptions to address too.
I recommend a note box to collect further questions for shy students - mine is a safe space so they just ask in class - but have the option to leave a question anon.
I use to live and teach in rural Tanzania for a bit so I wanted to share culture about it to the students in an engaging way
Starter: images guessing where
Objectives
Images and storytelling (short)
Information sheets - around the room task for engagement - up to date info 2024
Tourism posters
Examples
Plenary sharing
1hr lesson
Guess the country images and flag
Describe the location - Atlas use and map
Video - fact information
A3 poster in pairs promoting tourism in airports
Success criteria included - slogans, pictures, facts
Images/ Montage of ideas
Peer assess (group swaps)
Plenary
Resources
PPT
Atlas (optional)
History sheets (optional)
Keywords
Africa
Asia
Migration
Colonisation
Independence
Prepare for Learning – Entry Activity
Silent reading for 10 minutes
Starter activity: Spot the odd one out images x2
Learning Intentions and Agree Learning Outcomes
Understand the causes of the English Civil War
• Describe the location of Africa
• Recognise the difference regions of Africa
• Explain how Africa has changed over time
Present New Information
Map skills with Africa/ continents
History of Africa (literacy reading)
History of Africa (10minute video – if time)
Construct Meaning – Learning by Doing
Map of Africa
Rank figures onto tables
Apply to Demonstrate Understanding – Opportunity
Identify regional scale in UK and compass regions in Africa
Find countries in different regions of Africa
PEE paragraph on how Africa changed over time
Review
Write down 3 things you found interesting
Additional Support (SEN support, EHCP, PP FSM, LAC)
Checking in
Examples
Word bank
Images
Colour and number coded
Answers on board
Stretch and Challenge
Challenge – using challenge key word bank
PowerPoint portfolio
Consistent design and font
All 8 teaching standards with bullet points in each (from the Teaching Standards)
Under each bullet point are examples of how I completed it as evidence
Adaptable
You can include images/ files to the PPT
Your own portfolio should already be online for you to refer to (if you’re training)
Letter 1: Geography (2 pages)
Letter 2: English (2 pages)
I had quite a few people ask for my letter so I thought I’d share it, along with my experience. I sent a generic letter to several schools and I was invited to every interview. You should personalise it.
All my experience was not included in the letter or application forms because I felt that it is too time-consuming. You should include relevant information though and increase your employability. I am a very picky person when it comes to the work environment and highly value myself. I lined up interviews day after day for about 1.5 weeks. I went to the first few and I did not like them. For example, I saw a black student wearing his traditional wear and I made a nice comment. The headteacher referred it as a special day where “they” get to wear “costumes”.
I went to one that really stood out and I have told them I have another interview. You shouldn’t do this unless you are the better candidate. You should just say that you can’t answer the phone at placement.*Never agree to a job unless you are certain. Backing out is unprofessional, leads to bad references and blacklisting = you’re stuck with the school you changed to. Remember if you fail as ECT you are barred from teaching. However, if you are failing, you can quit and rejoin as an ECT in another school - but not if you are blacklisted!
I asked further schools to cover my travel expenses. 1 school didn’t. I felt that they didn’t value teachers so I rejected them. In the interviews I attended, it was common to over-run by a little bit. That’s okay. However, in one school I got to leave after my interview (lunch time for me) but the interviewers went for lunch and made the other candidate wait until after their lunch before interviewing him, and not offering any food for him. I liked that school as I went around but not the way they treated the interviewee so I decided against it. You have to remember your workplace needs to treat you right.
In another interview, I had travelled 3 hours to. They over ran by more than 1 hour. I was debating to just leave. They never offered me the option to leave early. I felt that they did not value people’s time considering the other candidate was local and was interviewed first, yet I was interviewed later. I didn’t like it. They had a good reputation by the locals which is why I accepted the interview. They loved everything I did with the students and class, however when I asked about pay etc. I rejected the offer. With relocation costs, it wasn’t worth it. They reimbursed me £90 (railcard).
After that interview, I decided to take the earlier offer and cancel the rest. I interviewed them and negotiated masters, extra holidays, £3k higher pay etc. Don’t do this unless you’re in a good position. I was a trainee for reference but believe my experience is valuable.
Simple template on Y7 tectonic plates (not fully completed)
GCSE completed SOW on coasts (from a very good Bristol school - they pay trainees to have 3x meals a day and actually pay you thousands of pounds for having them as a placement - of course your placements are chosen by your university provider).
Year 8 SOW (from private institutions)
If you would like others, feel free to leave the comment under reviews and I can update the files if I have them (History and Geography mainly).
Objectives:
Recognise that the continent of Africa is made up of 54 countries.
Describe the human and physical features of the continent.
Analyse data to understand the diversity of Africa.
Addresses misconceptions and stereotypes
CLOCC locations
Africa is diverse - exam type question
Writing PEE paragraph