Updated shorter version: Climate graph creation using template, and compared or interpreted with climate of South Africa. Lots of scaffolding included and animations step by step (otherwise consider visualiser for some parts). Climate graph template allows them enough to do it on their own with prompts, brilliant for a first time use and repetition if done again or removed as they get use to it.
Climate graphs of different biomes
Read climate graphs
Fill in pyramid task based on biomes
Address misconceptions (lots of images)
Draw climate graphs from blank
Lots of different helpsheets depending on students’ ability - line/ bar/ climate graph template
Pyramid template
Challenges included
Plenary on reading climate graphs, easy to assess
Can be 1hour to 2 hour lesson
Theory (involves using whiteboard/ interactive board to explain or get answers)
Notes provided for off powerpoint actions
Label graphs
Interpreting graphs
Tasks on reading graphs
Includes interesting history knowledge
Plotting a graph
DTM challenge (KS3)
DTM included (GCSE)
Video included to summarise
Handouts available
Scale provided for scaffolding (to print)
Develops into DTM stages, conversations on ageing population, policies, developing countries, history (that they mentioned from previous lessons)
2-3 hour lesson.
2024 Life expectancy statistics game (solo, teams, class options)
Involves world statistics, and 8 different countries.
Past and Future of UK, South Korea and Japan population.
In depth discussions about ageing population. Positive, negative, benefits, pro-natal policies, pensions, knock on effects, etc.
Population pyramid readings
Critical thinking/ guessing
Literacy lesson
Reading a newspaper (slide)
Optional: reading the news
Video of elderly explaining their actions
Critical thinking/ guessing with knowledge
Definitions all included
Writing a diary entry using key terms .
Lots of prompts provided with definitions.
Challenge question about resolution
Example provided for low ability
Template included for low ability
Task allows lower ability/ SEN the time the extra time they need for tasks, whilst higher ability work on a higher thinking skill challenge.
Lesson planned for 1-2hours depending how in depth your class can go on discussions/ prompts, critical thinking and their writing ability.
BONUS: PowerPoint Name Wheel! AND built in timer. No need to exit the screen, go onto websites etc. Easily adaptable to your student names and time is adjustable.
2 PowerPoints. 1 for lower ability to have them critically think more and focus on tasks first.
Animal adaptations
Lots of images throughout as prompts
Video included
Pair discussion
Writing task with sentence starters
Leads into fun application task as a geographer…
Create your own animal (label with adaptations and why its needed)
There are limitations (numeracy included)
Students share their work (rewards/ votes)
Challenge at end (solo or competition or class)
Lots of activities
Lots of images to prompt thinking
Graph reading
Gapfill graph reading
Address misconceptions
Challenge included (with answers) - history
Definitions using gapfill and image prompts.
Built in timer
Population increase/ decrease/ steady discussion
Gap fill with word bank to scaffold
Birth rate and death rate factors
Lots of factors to choose from
Challenge included
Ranking/ guessing countries rates using a diamond sort (using their knowledge of factors)
Work together through equation of growth rate (they guess it)
Calculators for low ability
Handouts available
Challenge included
Plenary using factors to create population growth
1-2 hour lesson
2024 Statistics
NASA night lights 2024
Interesting fun facts
Gap fill with word bank
Worksheet available for scaffolding
Definitions of words in detail
Lots of images
Lots of assessment for learning
Visual modelling with students possible
Mind map
Writing task (factors)
Density calculation
Numeracy included
Challenges included
Plenary: challenge both views
Self-assess
Helpsheets available
Both SEN, low ability and high ability covered
2024 Statistics on screen
Population density statistics handout for students absent before/ unaware of stats (extras)
Lots of visuals
Different versions: Easy, Normal, Hard
Can be used differently, e.g. explained for visuals vs. real map vs. less data etc.
Choropleth map (2 versions for difficulty)
Answers (for low ability to use for TEA)
TEA answers usin gap fill/ sentence starters
Definitions on screen
Population Tennis Game (interactive and fun discussion)
Images for prompts
Table of factors that increase or decrease population
All answers available
Plenary debate (fun discussions)
Video of UK history with its population rates increasing / decreasing (5minutes)
2 versions, an easier one for lower ability
There is a lot of content and discussions about the world for learning.
1 hour lesson (my students (many SEN and class dynamics) are trained)
Classes with distractions or not hard-working are likely to need 2 lessons.
Photo senses starter
Key terms
Video
Story telling with tasks
Discussions, emotions, scenarios
Real story
Diary Example
Write your own diary
Diary helpsheet
Different emotions helpsheet (SEMH/ low ability)
Hard challenge included
Full terminology
Starter: key term with word bank
Map reading skills
Describe locations
Examples I do, we do, you do
Peer assessment
Hinge questions AFL
Biome information to read - optional methods/ tasks/ printouts if wanted
Map included for biome annotations
Journey through Russia Map (A, B, C, D)
Describe the biomes, what you see, etc throughout your journey
Success Criterion
Example (I do)
We do - together example
Answers for peer assessment
Plenary
Challenges included: these may be considered “hard” for KS3 but you can teach it or adapt them.
Pointless Gameshow starter!!! Fun.
Key terms
Use of key terms
Lots of AFL
Many images
Choropleth map
Atlas
Population
Challenges included
Example/ Model answer
Explain why the Sahara Desert is sparsely populated
Plenary
Spelling test
Introduction (maps)
Adjectives about it
Video
Adjectives now
Discussion about perception - address all the misconceptions
Describe location (gapfill) and challenges
Images and guessing if it’s in the area or not - discussion and address misconceptions again after
Video
Development indicators
Atlas use - engaging and exploring for students (assist if needed e.g. page number after a while)
Fill in the table (challenges included)
Time limit and show answers - address misconceptions
Compare it to UK. Example on board (gapfill). Lower ability can use board example with gapfill. Higher ability can make their own.
Plenary, which statement is a lie. AFL fingers.
Engaged, fun task. You may need to finish earlier as students tend to not want to finish/ rush and continue/ willing to work into their breaks (but I don’t want them with me at break).
Rivers, Mountains, Deserts, Plains etc.
Prior knowledge check
Video - add to knowledge
Map creation - colour coded and Atlas use
2 versions - 1. blank (students had to really look and discover/ engage with the Atlas), they will ask for help or you can give prompts for harder ones. 2. Marked map (labelled)
Note: I only gave easier maps to students who go to special centres but my low ability and SEND students still did the blank map (they don’t complete it but they learn how to search and use the Atlas well). I did this because it is not in their assessment to know every part and map skills is more valuable for them.
Answers on board for marking
Reading information
Plenary
Extra version of map with key provided for lower ability/ SEND if you wish to use.
Updated: Loved lesson by schools. Focuses on literacy. I included emotions helpsheet in this for SEMH students.
Starter: Life expectancy game using 2024 statistics
Graph - students interpret or you explain
Definition
UK discussion topic - if you have more time - add in a maths question using the numbers (to include numeracy skills in your list)
Graph with lots of prompt questions. Depending on ability and past topics you can decide whether you go through this part together or in pairs/ alone.
Next slides - if they are quite low ability, do address how it links for understanding. Otherwise, it is easily understandable but check in with lower abilities by having them answer/ share (privately or in class depending how supportive the class is and if you manage behaviour well).
Articles, videos included - depending on time and ability you can choose whether to include all. I usually do the summarised slide and a video for lower ability to understand it.
Please address misconceptions that NOT every eldery does this.
Instructions with success criterion
Example which helps a lot
Template provided (print out versions available if you have students who aren’t able to write)
Challenge included
Peer assess - more positives than negatives.
Notes:
I mentioned TA but she just chills at the back of the room most of the time.
High ability (above top set) - if needed - I added lots of information about other countries with videos and personal knowledge (not included in PPT) but I found any of this difficult to fit and engage with average ability as they are only familiar with UK and still lack knowledge on that so I skipped them.
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
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
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
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
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