AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 1C: In this lesson we look at how both meanders and ox-bow lakes are formed by both erosion and deposition. The starter is a retrieval practice grid filled in for the rivers work so far, but it’s editable. We then look at a diagram of the Mississippi flood plain and the pupils answer some questions about the archaic meanders that can be seen plotted on the diagram and how they might be formed. We then watch a short video clip on how river meanders get started. We then look at the cross section of a meander and its various features. The pupils get an outline drawing of a meander for them to colour in by numbers to start with, then label the various features on the cross section. The pupils seem to love this colourful neat diagram. The next thing we consider is riffles and pools, after discussing how they are formed the pupils create a diagram in their books for this one. We then watch a video clip on meander formation and there are some colourful diagrams to help teacher explanation. The pupils have a strip to stick in their books, there is a feint outline of the original meander to help them in their drawings. They then explain the process. We finish with a 6-mark question on the formation of ox-bow lakes with some guidance. In a nutshell lesson includes: Retrieval practice grid starter. Question answer session on old Mississippi meanders diagram. Colour by numbers cross sectional diagram activity. Diagram activity on the formation of riffles and pools. Sequential diagram task on ox-bow lake formation. 6-mark GCSE question with guidance. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 1C: In this lesson we look at depositional features found in the lower course of a river. The starter is a a countdown retrieval practice quiz with dramatic countdown music! We start by looking at natural levees and how they are formed. The pupils create a sequence of diagrams to show their formation based on information on the board. They are provided with outline drawings to start with to save time. We then look at the formation of floodplains. The pupils create a diagram based on the instructions on the board without actually seeing the diagram, but there is an example if they are struggling and they are given an outline floodplain to start with. We then look at the formation of estuaries. The pupils annotate a photograph to show the different features of the estuary formed by deposition. We finish on a 4 mark question on the formation of floodplains that was in an exam in 2017. I usually model the answer after the pupils have had a go. In a nutshell lesson includes: Retrieval practice grid starter. Formation of levees sequential diagram. Formation and features of a floodplain diagram activity with outline. Photo annotation for estuaries. 4-mark GCSE question with guidance. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 2B: In this lesson we look at the evidence and reasons for a north-south divide in the UK. The lesson starts with a retrieval practice task. We then briefly look at a cartoon illustrating the economic differences between the North and South of England. After introducing the concept of a North-South divide the pupils create a ‘Road to the North South Divide’ in there books by annotating a road to show how the divide was established. We then use evidence from a data table to annotate a map showing the divide. The pupils then look at the strategies that have been adopted to re-balance the difference. They use information slides (LEP’s, enterprise zones and the Lancashire LEP) and video clips to make notes for Boris Johnson to address the public about he North-South Divide. Finally we answer an exam question with some guidance for the pupils on how to answer. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 1C: In this lesson we look at drainage basins and what types of features you find within them. We start with a photo mystery starter, the pupils only see fragments of a map of the drainage basins of the UK and Ireland. The pupils try to guess what the complete picture might be. This leads onto a discussion about drainage basins and the Amazon Basin in particular. Next we look at the features within a drainage basin. The pupils will work from a worksheet and are given a description of a feature. They must find the feature on the diagram, write the description, and then for some features they draw their own zoomed-in picture of the feature. Following this the pupils get a grid of photographs of the various features and they need to work out what the feature is. The board is editable so they can play bingo as well if you want to create bingo cards. We finish with a simple post-it plenary based on a GCSE-style question. In a nutshell lesson includes: Geographical gallery of contemporary art starter Worksheet activities on the features of a drainage basin Photo grid of the features of a drainage basin. Post-it plenary. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 2A: In this lesson we look at the what urban sustainability is and how it can be achieved. The lesson has two retrieval practice starter options for you to populate. We then introduce the concept of urban sustainability. The pupils then complete a variety of tasks as we look at water conservation (with Cape Town as an example of water stress). Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Methods of energy conservation, waste management and recycling, and creating green spaces. We finish with a GCSE-style practice question with some guidance and structure provided for the students. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 2A: In this lesson we look at social opportunities in one borough of London, Shoreditch. We start with a photo interpretation of Shoreditch today so the pupils can start to think about what Shoreditch is like and what type of people may live there. the pupils will have a worksheet to work through as the lesson progresses. we start by looking at Shoreditch in the 1980’s (1981 really due to census data). The pupils get a feel for what the borough was like then. We then introduce modern day Shoreditch with a video. The pupils then use an information sheet to complete tasks regarding various aspects of life there including housing, ethnic and cultural mix, entertainment etc. We briefly consider the negatives of urban change in the area before tackling a GCSE-style question on the positive impacts urban change has had on people in a HIC. The pupils do have some help with some points to get them going if they need it. In a nutshell lesson includes: Photo interpretation starter Worksheet task on old and new Shoreditch Video clips where appropriate GCSE-style question with guidance Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 1B: In this lesson we look at what how plants and animals have adapted to the environmental conditions in the rainforest. The lesson has a retrieval practice starter to begin with. We then look at what biodiversity is and why the rainforests are particularly diverse. We then look at rainforest stratification and plant adaptations. The students have a sheet to complete and some information slides to use to complete the sheet. This could be used as a carousel or group work task. The sheet can even be coloured in! Then the students complete a mix and match up task on the most common types of animal adaptations. The students then complete a rating task with explanation as to how significant are threats to biodiversity in the rainforest. We finish with a GCSE-style practice question with some guidance and structure provided for the students. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 2B: In this lesson we look at the post-industrial economy and how it has changed the UK economy. The lesson starts with a quick retrieval practice quiz. We then introduce the idea of a post-industrial economy. The pupils then complete an information gathering exercise where they collect information on three sections of the economy that are behind these changes, development of IT technology, the services industry and finance and research and development. All the information is recorded in a A3 knowledge organiser. We then finish with a GCSE-style practice question with some guidance. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 1C: In this lesson we look at long and cross profiles of a river and how river valleys change shape downstream. We start with “perfect paragraph”. The pupils read a paragraph describing a drainage basin and they should try to find the errors in the paragraph and what should be added in. We then introduce long profiles, and the pupils will be plotting a long profile of a river on their worksheet. We then look at the upper, middle and lower courses of the river. The pupils shade in these sections on their graph. We complete the worksheet by looking at cross profiles and how river valley shapes change downstream. The pupils create annotated cross sections of the upper, middle and lower courses using the info slides. We finish with a 4 mark GCSE-style question “describe how the shape of a river valley changes downstream”. As always the pupils have some guidance on the question if they need it. In a nutshell lesson includes: Perfect paragraph starter. Long profile plotting exercise. Cross profile diagram activity. 4-mark GCSE-style question. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson on Sustainable Urban Living using Freiburg as an example. Included in the lesson is: Video clips on Freiburg Information sheet on sustainable living in Freiburg A3 double sided task worksheet with a variety of actvities for differing abilities Practice GCSE Questions You may wish to use alongside the Oxford AQA GCSE Geography textbook, but all resources are included. Hope this helps. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 2B: In this lesson we introduce the economy and how it has changed over time and why. The lesson starts with a quick retrieval practice quiz. We then introduce the idea of the economy with the pupils completing a Frayer model, we then look at where the UK is in international standings currently and where it might be in the future. We then look at the structure of the economy, we remind ourselves of the different sectors with a sorting task and then look at how the UK’s economy has changed over time. The pupils complete a worksheet and complete a pie chart. We then look at the main drivers in this change and the pupils use information sheets/slides to complete a worksheet. We then finish with a GCSE-style practice question with some guidance. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the 2016 specification Unit 1B: In this lesson we look at how ecosystems operate, from small-scale ecosystems to biomes. We start with a retrieval practice task based around coats. We begin by looking at what the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem are. The students are given an example ecosystem and have to categorise the components according to whether they think they are biotic or abiotic. We then look at different scales of ecosystems and look at trophic levels. The students work out which examples belong with which trophic level . We then explore an example of a food chain, using a small-scale ecosystem (a pond) the students have to work out which creatures belong in which trophic level. We then look at biomass in the food chain and discuss why biomass declines at each level. We finish with a 4-mark GCSE style question and there is some tips for students who need it on how to answer it. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 1B: In this lesson we examine the distribution of the global ecosystems or biomes. The lesson has an ordnance survey map skills retrieval practice starter quiz. We then look at what a global ecosystem or biome is and what the general pattern of their distribution is. The students complete a cloze exercise and write a paragraph introducing the concept of global ecosystems. The students then complete a colouring by numbers worksheet to familiarise them with the distribution of the global ecosystems. They then complete a worksheet on where these ecosystems can be found, using atlases to give named examples of countries that feature those particular biomes. There is another extension to this where the students create a diagram to show the importance of latitude in the distribution of global ecosystems. We finish with a GCSE-style practice question with some sentence starters and a mark scheme provided for the students. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 2B: In this lesson we look at the environmental impacts of quarrying in the UK. The lesson starts with a quick true or false retrieval practice quiz with sound effects. We then look at a photo of a quarry and the pupils think about all the impacts the quarry may be having on the physical environment. There are possible answers on the next slide. We then look at ways that industry might be able to become more sustainable. The pupils have hexes and are asked to develop the points further by explaining their potential impacts. There are suggestions on the following slide. We then look at quarrying and Torr Quarry as an example. The pupils have an info sheet and a knowledge organiser to complete with questions relating to Torr Quarry and Quarrying. There is also a video clip on quarry restoration to help with this section. We finish with a 4-mark practice question with some guidance on how to respond. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

For AQA GCSE Geography. You need the Oxford AQA GCSE Geography Textbook for the new specification The lesson includes. Photo interpretation starter. Questioning activity Video clips Large A3 worksheet with a variety of different activities covering the required content. Plenary activity. All worksheets for photocopying included. Hope this helps. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

This is a worksheet that I use with the pupils to look at primary and secondary effects of Typhoon Haiyan. The pupils write any ‘storm statistics’ they can find on the storm related to the symbols next to them. I hope you find it useful.