The history of China to now
Can easily be 2 lessons worth
Students are extremely engaged, lots of discussion points. I answered a few and had to tell them to write it down or address it next lesson.
Several tasks to do
Main task
Video with worksheet
You may need to pause depending on your students, or call out each number as you reach it.
Drawing a Then and Now image of China
Engaging lesson about the one child policy
Depending on your class you can adapt the PPT.
The lower and higher ability materials are already available (it’s set on level 3 and 4)
Includes opinion line at start and end of lesson. Can be done in classroom on in their books.
See how it changes as they learn about the topic.
Print out of the colour coded answers for lower ability/ SEND students to assist.
Included full lesson plan
Starter
Atlas use
Maps to label
Mind maps about countries - using stats
Challenges included
Quiz-Quiz-Trade game
Note down some facts from the game
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.
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)
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.
Identity
Key words
Google Earth - or consider Atlas - depending on students’ locational knowledge and skills
Video with a few comprehension questions - AFL
Images, Atlas, Split, Latitude images/ information available - explanation available if needed.
South Sudan - questions about placement etc. (in lesson plan)
Timeline reading
Mind map ideas - from timeline prompts - you may want to explain, draw etc.
I used Iraq as an example (about the war and religion) - and linking it to humanities - affecting this independence and conflict etc.
Design your own country - questions to ask to check understanding
Include prompt questions in instructions – e.g., do you want the capital city to be in the mountains or near the river? Why?/ do you want them to speak the same language or something different and why?
Questions about their new country - students to justify
They label their country
Challenges included
Random sharing - wheel of fortune included in PPT. Adjust names.
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).
Video
Information of key features
Colour code
Categorising between tourism/ ecotourism
Images and examples
Case study with worksheet and challenges
Design task with success criterion
Student example available
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
Starter: List as many countries in Asia as you can (prior knowledge)
Peer assess, add 5 to list allows them to learn more within cognitive load
Learning intentions (referred to throughout lesson)
Colour coded map and compass. Think/ Pair/ Share
Students act as the teachers and point out the regions.
Gapfill
Handout for SEN
What do you need to pack on holiday travelling in Asia?
Video
Image prompts to allow time (EAL, lower ability, SEND). Challenge included for others.
Similarities and differences between China and India (handouts)
Highlight information
Add own facts
2 paragraphs writing (sentence starters)
Answers on board
Bingo key words plenary but teacher uses definitions so students need to think
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
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.
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)
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