Geography

GEOGRAPHY

REPORT WORDS BY Miss Emma Goodman, Head of Geography

YEAR 5 TREASURE MAP MAKING WITH GRID-REFERENCING, SYMBOLS AND SCALE

Our intrepid Y5 geographers enjoyed a problem-solving afternoon in the sun on Tuesday as they followed some brilliantly designed treasure maps towards an appealing and tasty reward.

In groups, boys from Miss Goodman’s and Mr Loader’s geography classes put their mapmaking skills to good use to create some highly detailed treasure maps. The classes then challenged each other to follow the trails laid out on the maps. Using their map reading skills, the boys worked together to decipher four-digit grid references, work out directions from compass roses and identify symbols to hunt around the playground for hidden coloured markers. And when they were found—and some were hidden extremely well—the boys received their treasure: doughnuts!

It was wonderful to see the boys putting their geography skills into action, both in creating the maps and following them to their destinations. There was a great friendly rivalry between the two classes, which made the activity all the more fun for everyone. Miss Goodman YEAR 6 ROCK IDENTIFICATION TASK by Max Midgley 6JL

During the Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaurs topic we learned about the three rock families (sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous) and how they are formed. To help us learn we were given rocks to feel and study. We had to see how crumbly or smooth the rocks felt, if they had fossils, layers within the rock and crystals. We used a flow diagram to help identify which rock family it belonged to and the name of the rock.

Geography

YEAR 7 MONTSERRAT In 1997, pyroclastic flows from the Soufriere Hills Volcano caused devastation to the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean. VR HEADSETS: EXAMINING COASTLINES AROUND THE WORLD by David Shirley

Y7 boys were challenged to re-enact the volcanic eruption. Their classroom became the incident room for the disaster as the boys, working together in teams as geologists, information coordinators and crisis managers, made crucial decisions to protect the inhabitants of the island. As in the real disaster, teamwork, strong communication, analysis and logical reasoning were all key as the boys assessed and responded to the changing data and ‘live’ reports coming in through their walkie-talkies from the Ten News helicopter pilots in the air. At every stage, the boys had tough decisions to make to protect residents. Using the virtual reality headsets is always fun, especially in Geography. They move you from the classroom to anywhere in the world, from the Bora Bora Islands to the Cliffs of Dover. As well as being entertaining, the VRs are also a brilliant learning platform. Instead of staring at an image in a textbook, you are there, in the moment, immersed into the place of your choosing. In one of our recent geography lessons, we visited different coasts from all around the world, we could easily explore the headlands, identifying many different geographical features, such as bays, wave-cut notches, and stacks. I am excited to see what the future holds for the integration of teaching and technology.

YEAR 8 GLACIATION: BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION REACHING THE SOUTHERN POINT OF THE GLOBE by Abuturab Turrabi 8D

1907. My name is Ronald and I have a huge task ahead of me. I live in London and I am 30 years old. For the past three decades, I felt my life has been one of utter boredom. I am seeking a challenge, a chance to earn the honour and recognition from my fellow countrymen. My luck has finally struck. I have been given the opportunity to go on a 1 year (possibly more) expedition to find the South Pole. As humans, we believe that the South Pole exists and we can find it.

As part of my quest, I have £2 and 81 pennies to my name. With this I can buy the equipment, essentials and animals I will need to achieve this dangerous mission.

During my shopping trip, some items are labelled as farthings (1p = 4 farthings), so in order to buy items such as crampons, reindeer skin sleeping bag, rope, snow shoes and suitable clothing I will need to convert my money. I feel the most useful items I have bought are a sledge (30 pennies), a set of 8 dogs (80 pennies) and a stove for (20 pennies).

The journey is for 12 months (approximately) and the method of communication will be using a radio. I have been told (by telegram) that Amundsen, a Norweigian explorer, has a team and they are on the hunt to reach the South Pole first, in order to conquer the land themselves. Wish me luck!