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 for the new specification Unit 1B: In this lesson we look at what the physical characteristics of tropical rainforests are. The lesson has a retrieval practice starter quiz on rivers to begin with. We then look at what it is like to be in the rainforest with a short video clip of walking through the forest. We then look at the location of tropical rainforests and the students have a map with some questions of differing difficulty to answer. The students are provided with a worksheet to draw a climate graph of the rainforest with some additional skills questions to answer (works well with a visualiser). The students complete an annotated profile of the rainforest latosol soil, describing and explaining its characteristics. We then look at the nutrient cycle and the students annotate a diagram making sure they eliminate the incorrect word from the annotation. 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 1C: In this lesson we look at beaches and how their profiles can be altered and sand dune succession and formation… We start with a simple retrieval practice grid which is good for spaced practice. We then discuss why some beaches have different profiles to other beaches and what difference the size of sediment makes. We then look at the different types of waves and how they affect beach profiles. The pupils will make annotated diagrams of winter and summer beaches. We move onto sand dune systems. The pupils have an outline profile of sand dune succession. We use info slides which can either be teacher led, or use as a round the room activity, group activity etc, the pupils add the appropriate info onto the diagram from the slides. We then look at what conditions are needed for the dune system to form. The pupils have a hexagon task. I usually get the pupils to think about each factor first, the next slide has the answers but they still need to match them up We finish with a GCSE-style question on the formation of sand dunes with some guidance on how to answer. In a nutshell lesson includes: Retrieval practice starter Beach profile diagram activity Sand dune succession annotated round the room/group diagram task. Formation of sand dunes hexagon task. 4 mark GCSE-style question with guidance should the pupils need 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 1C: In this lesson we look at the different types of weathering and mass movement. We start with a true or false retrieval practice quiz on wave types from the previous lesson. We then introduce the concept of weathering and proceed to look at mechanical, biological and chemical weathering. The pupils have a variety of annotation, drawing and question tasks to complete on the worksheet. Moving on to mass movement, the pupils get a second worksheet with 4 different slopes on. The pupils then are given information on each type of mass movement. They sketch the type of mass movement onto their slope and add labels. We finish with a simple GCSE-style question which I get the pupils to answer on a post-it note. In a nutshell lesson includes: True or False starter on wave types Weathering activity sheet with diagrams and questions. Mass movement ‘change the slope’ activity sheet. Video clips where appropriate GCSE-style question 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 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

AQA GCSE Geography lesson for the new specification Unit 1C: In this lesson we look at waterfalls and gorges and how they are formed through the processes of erosion. The starter is a retrieval practice grid filled in for the rivers work so far, but it’s editable. We then look at how underlying geology plays and important part in the formation of waterfalls, the pupils have some questions to answer and I sometimes get a pupil to teach this bit. We then look at how waterfalls develop, after some teacher exposition the pupils will have an outline diagram of a waterfall with some tasks to complete on the diagram. We then look at the formation of gorges and how they relate to waterfalls. This time the pupils use the diagram on the board to create one themselves. We finish with a sketch from photograph of High Force. After we have introduced the waterfall and given some detail on its formation the pupils will create a field sketch either in a blank box, or using a feint outline, which they can draw over the top of. They then label features etc. We finish with a 6-mark question similar to the 2019 May exam on physical processes and waterfalls/gorges. There is advice and guidance should the pupils need it. In a nutshell lesson includes: Retrieval practice grid starter. Question answer session on how a waterfall starts to form. Blank outline actvity on the development of waterfalls over time. Diagram activity on the formation of a gorge. Worksheet activty on sketching High Force from a photograph. 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 1A: In this fourth lesson in the section we look at the effects of climate change around the world. We start with a quote from Great Thunberg and the pupils discuss whether they think she is right that we should be panicking about climate change and its impacts. We then look briefly at climate change impacts in the UK where the pupils will annotate a map of the UK using information from a video clip. We then look at the impacts worldwide, the pupils will be given an A3 sheet with a map surrounded by the impacts, they first locate the region the where the impact will be felt, rate the seriousness of the impact and then categorise each one as either social, economic, environmental or political. Using the information they have now gathered they write a response to Greta Thunberg’s quote using evidence from the lesson. We finish with a post-it plenary using a 2-mark question from the 2019 exam. In a nutshell lesson includes: Discussion starter over Greta Thunberg Quote Annotated diagram of the impacts on the UK A3 map task on the effects of climate change worldwide Video clips where appropriate GCSE-style question plenary Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

Lesson 4 in the Norman Conquest SOW. This lesson sees the pupils compare the armies of both the Norman’s and Anglo Saxons. We then move onto the events of the Battle of Hastings and examine the significance of various moments in the battle. The pupils then sort the events into key factors that decided the batlle. Luck, tactics and military power, before reaching a conclusion on the deciding factor. Included in the lesson is: Retrieval Practice Starter Comparing armies activity Sequence of events actvity with questions Video clip Key Factors activity Hope this helps. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer

Key Stage 3 lesson for a scheme of work on The Rise of The Dictators. In this lesson we look at the Russian Revolution of 1917 and its causes. We begin by looking at Tsar Nicholas II, we then watch a video clip on the reasons for the Revolution. We use info cards and visual hexagons to examine the causes in more detail. We then look at the rise of the Bolsheviks and the pupils create a scroll through history to explain the events of the rise of Bolshevism. We look at a source featuring Lenin and finish on a “to what extent” question. I hope this proves useful and saves you some 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 1A: In this lesson we look at the causes, effects of and responses to the Somerset Levels floods of 2014. The lesson has a multiple choice retrieval practice starter. We firstly introduce the location of the Somerset Levels and the pupils consider why the area may be prone to flooding, this could be just a discussion or they could annotate the map. They use sentence fragments to write a description of the location. We then look at the causes of the floods, for this the students complete a cloze exercise and highlight long and short term causes. There is a video clip to watch on what happened during the floods. The students then create a map to show the extent of the floods by colouring by numbers on a worksheet. They then look at the impacts and categorise them into social, economic and environmental. We then briefly look at dredging with an optional video clip before the students sort the responses out into immediate and long-term responses on a worksheet. We finish with a GCSE-style practice question with some guidance and structure provided for the students, there is also marking guidance provided. 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 2016 specification Unit 1C: In this lesson we look at the physical and human factors affecting flood risk and storm hydrographs and what factors affect their shape. We start with a retrieval practice quiz with ten questions. We begin by looking at the definition of flooding and a brief example by considering the floods around Doncaster in 2019 and 2020. There is a video clip for this. We then look at the physical and human factors that affect flooding. The students have a diagram to annotate and locate an appropriate example on the diagram, they then colour code the annotations into physical and human factors. We then explore the components of a hydrograph. The students have a blank graph to label on the various component parts of the graph. We then look at what factors are likely to affect the storm hydrograph. Here the students have a grid to fill in with annotations from the board. They have to locate where the annotation would logically go on their grid. 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 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 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 1A: In this sixth lesson in the section we look at how we can adapt to climate change. We start with a simple retrieval practice quiz on international agreements from last lesson, We then look at 3 ways in which we may have to adapt in the future to cope with climate change, in agriculture, water supply and sea-level rise. We look at specific examples for water supply (the artificial glaciers in the Himalayas) and sea-level rise (the Maldives). We finish the lesson with a GCSE-style question post-it plenary. In a nutshell lesson includes: Retrieval prctice starter Photograph annotation task for agriculture Video notes task for artificial glaciers in the Himalayas Hexagon task for sea level rise in the Maldives Video clips where appropriate GCSE-style question 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 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 2A: For this section we use London as our case study. In this lesson we introduce London, it’s location and site factors and its population. We start with a simple quiz about London to test the pupils general knowledge of the capital. We then look at the location of London and the pupils describe London’s location based on the C.L.O.C.K formula. But you could use any method. We then have a look at the history of London before the pupils undertake an ‘art attack’ activity where they are creating an annotated sketch map of the location of London and it’s settlement site factors. We then look at London’s population, looking at general facts, population structure and ethnicity. We finish with a simple GCSE-style question plenary. In a nutshell lesson includes: Quiz on general knowledge of London. Locating London activity ‘Art attack’ activity with guidance on producing an annotated sketch map Video clips where appropriate Population pyramid activity Graph interpretation task on ethnicity in London GCSE-style question with guidance on how to respond 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 1A: In this first lesson in the section we look at what the evidence is for climate change. We start with a picture interpretation around frost fairs on the River Thames and how this might be evidence for climate change. We then look at the graphs that scientists have composed that show how our climate has fluctuated over the years. The pupils will have a large A3 activity sheet to fill in as the lesson progresses. The second section looks at ice cores and how they have helped the scientists formulate records of past climates. We then look at the impacts of global climate change and how they might also be evidence for climate change too. The pupils will write down their own ideas then elaborate with the help of the slides and some video clips. We finish with GCSE-style question with some suggested content if they need help. In a nutshell lesson includes: Picture interpretation starter A3 activity sheet on the evidence for climate change Video clips where appropriate GCSE-style question with guidance on suggested content. Hope this saves you some valuable planning time. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/markthegeographer