SLN Geography Forum

In my college, in line with new no notice inspections, we get notice an observation will take place, but not when in a whole week. Is that usual? We used to be told which lesson it would be.

I think it is unnecessary stress. We are still graded on paperwork etc, even though the new Ofsted obs do not. As a one person department, I never have time to do full typed up LPs for every lesson but that it what they expect -of course I plan my lessons but in a personal short hand in my planner and within my SOW. With my students I often have to adapt lessons when i find they haven't done something in KS3 or 4. Having been off on sick leave for 3 weeks, I am totally stressing out! I have got the new visual LPs which I love - but doubt our SLT will accept them.

Hello

I am apparently shortly to take over the EPQ, and no one has really run it properly at my college before. Just wondering if you have it timetabled and if so, how much student time you have or non-contact hours to run it, for how many students. Do you have one main person or do you have an appointed supervisor and co-ordinator? We'll be doing AQA, and I have only just started looking into it, but not sure how I'll find the time. 

Hello

I found out today that I MAY be teaching GCSE in one year with 3 hours a week, mostly to school leavers. This is for those that may continue to A-levels (whatever subjects). My choice is basically GCSE Geography or Humanities. I'm loath to do the latter. Is anyone already doing this, and how do you find it? Despite teaching some GCSE before I have somehow never run CA (temp contracts till now), and can't see how this would fit in. I'm thinking of doing the iGCSE, but really don't know much about it. Any advice most welcome at this stage!! Thanks.

Hello

I just got the go-ahead to start A-level Geology next year - a bit too excited! I have been trawling the internet looking for resources and ideas. I was a geologist years ago so I shouldn't feel so nervous about revising the topics but I am. For any who do teach it, I would love any advice, resources, ideas, surplus supplies that you may have and will do my best to help in return!

I have already looked at joining ESTA, contacted WJEC to run their spec, looked at Geopix, http://geology.com/, and http://www.ukge.co.uk/. The college seems to have maps, fossils (but no rocks or minerals strangely), and I think some slides already, and whatever I can scrounge from Science, but not sure how to get everything else I need without much budget! Any ideas? Working on getting the dedicated classroom for Geol/Geog - why do so many managers not like this nowadays - it makes so much difference to your teaching (And students learning).

Thanks so much for any and all help, especially swhitch who I have already been pestering for info!

Hello
I am desperately trying to find some already written that I can adapt so I don't have to start from scratch, but have trawled the web to no avail. Is anyone teaching this unit at all and wouldn't mind sharing?! We still have this year group finishing the legacy spec (teacher last year took everything), and so obviously I'll have to rewrite it all again for next year, so hoping not to this year. It would save me so much work over Easter if you could share?! My 4 year old is already cross with me for working too much, so this won't help! I do already have lots of resources I think...
Thanks so much!

Arghh bit late asking as we go on Thurs but does anyone happen to have a blank site plan for the Olympic park please? Desperately needed! I've searched online and can't find one. Thanks so much!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17081573