What will students be studying in Geography this year?
In Year 7 students will develop the skills important for geographical study including map and data handling as well as descriptive and analytical writing and forming conclusions. Students in Year 7 will begin by looking World Development issues to develop social, economic, environmental and political thinking. Students then move on to develop map related skills using both the local area and the wider world. Students then move on to study Plate Tectonics and Volcanic impacts and management before investigating a wide range of Geography linked to humans uses of the world’s oceans. Towards the end of the year students investigate Weather and the idea of Microclimate through a school grounds based investigation. During the course students undertake geographical enquiry work in a number of ways including projects based on local fieldwork data. The course also offers a number of creative opportunities to really get to grips with geographical concepts and processes.
In Year 8 students will continue to build on the geographical skills they began to develop in Year 7 – including descriptive and analytical writing and the presentation of geographical information. Students in Year 8 will begin by looking at Tourism for a country's economic base, focusing on aspects of sustainable management of problems which arise. Students then move on to investigate the hydrological cycle and river flow leading to an investigation of flooding both in the UK and abroad. They then move on to look at river processes and finally the geography of energy. During the course students undertake geographical enquiry work in a number of ways including a Tourism project based on a location they are familiar with and a testing of hypotheses using river data collected on a fieldtrip. The course also offers a number of creative opportunities to really get to grips with geographical concepts and processes.
In Year 9 students will build upon the skills developed in Years 7 and 8 with an emphasis of more in depth enquiry and independent investigation. Students in Year 9 will begin by looking at World Climate and Biomes, developing depth on an appreciation of the complex interactions associated with Tropical Rainforests, human uses, impacts, implications and management. This topic will then move on to allow students to develop their own investigation into human impact of any global ecosystem of their choice which they will research and present to the class. After this students move on to look at the complexity of World Development issues and preconceptions through a number of interactive classroom activities which bridge onto the study of Population issues, globally, regionally and country-specific, developing social, economic, environmental and political thinking. During the course students undertake geographical enquiry work in a number of ways including projects based on students' own key questions. The course also offers a number of creative opportunities to really get to grips with geographical concepts and processes. This year represents the final year of compulsory geographical education but aims to stimulate a desire to learn more by developing the relevance of Geography in the world and the opportunities it creates in a career path.
What are the major assessments this year?
Students will complete a key assessment in each topic over the course of the year in both lesson time and homework, allowing them opportunities to develop and revisit key geographical skills. Assessments are reviewed yearly and are subject to change as the content is reviewed in an ongoing process.
What will the current performance grade be based on?
The current performance grades are based on assessed work completed over the year. Oral contributions in class will also inform staff about her level of engagement with the subject. All students are issued with passports for every new topic which contain key assessment mark schemes giving students clear criteria for each level in every piece of work.
What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in the subject?
She should talk to her teacher first as it could be a simple matter of misunderstanding a task or a topic. She should try and be specific about what she finds particularly challenging and the support offered may differ depending on the nature of the challenge.
How can I support my daughter?
The best way to support your daughter is by talking to her about what she is studying in Geography and about how she is getting on. Students should be encouraged to complete homework in a timely manner and you might like to encourage your daughter to follow news, current affairs and watch documentaries of interest to her.
What kind of independent work should my daughter be completing?
Students will be asked to undertake research from time to time and this will be part of her homework. A wider appreciation of the world should be encouraged as much as possible.
Who can I contact for further advice and information?
Please feel free to contact the Head of Geography at geography@newsteadwood.co.uk if you have any queries about your daughter’s progress.