Not your average desert...

From flickr user iva_1

Categories: s1 and s2, Advanced Higher, Atmosphere

As s2 have been doing their homework via the web for the last couple of weeks, I thought it would be nice to do something which required a more old fashioned approach tomorrow. I thought about adapting a webquest from sln into a classroom resources based exercise for groups. I like the idea of comparing what you thought about deserts (visuwords has an interesting use here, but not for obvious reasons) with things that you did not know until after your research, but I also want to bring in other skills. For instance, I'd like all of your posters to include a climate graph with comments about the range etc. I want labelled landscape features and sketches and generally better use of your own words than some web based exercises return (although the quality of your homework has been outstanding in many cases). I'm thinking of using a clip from either 'Long Way Round' or 'Cars' as a stimulus for the landscape- no difference! Although we have embraced a lot of technology, it's important to develop key geographical skills too.

With s1 tomorrow, we are going to have an ongoing documentary as you complete your favelas. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to film the construction or whether to involve a student. We'll also film a final comment about your design etc. We won't be filming people, just the favelas and the voices in the background, so we should be able to post it here later in the week.

Higher are starting atmosphere and I normally try to introduce the global heat budget to you by mapping from memory. This usually works well, and is a nice way to start a topic which many find a bit overwhelming.

A bit unsure of what to do with Advanced Higher as we are being decanted due to building work. This could be a good opportunity to look at the type of mapwork question that you will be presented with in the prelim and the final exam.