Will skiing be a thing of the past?

As a keen skier myself, having spent one year out as a ski host in Vallandry, Les Arcs in France I know how important it is to have real powder snow. The web address below is a link to an awesome short film that has won many awards at various film festivals. It highlights the issues of current global warming on the likelihood of skiing being a future sport. Some of the filmography is immense and the skiing tricks aren't too bad either. Check it out. 

http://vimeo.com/16442800

Year 10 Battle for the Biosphere

As part of the year 10 geography course we study biomes, which are World scale ecosystems. The year 10s focus their study on the Tropical Rainforests around the World as well as looking at the Tundra biome later in the course.

This website gives fantastic details of what the climates are like around the World in the low, mid and high latitudes.

Please take a look year 10 for further information.

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm

Year 7 Landscape in a Box

The year 7s have been busy doing their ILTs which was to produce a 'landscape in a box'.  There were some fantastic entries and I decided to photograph three of my favourites and post them onto Twitter to collaborate with the teacher that gave me the idea.

That teacher has since published the photographs onto his blog - take a look! Well done year 7, some superb work.

http://livinggeography.blogspot.com/2011/12/inside-box.html

Climate Change episode of 'Frozen Planet' not to be shown in the USA

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2061663/Frozen-Planet-Climate-change-episode-wont-shown-US.html

Read the article above about the fantastic BBC production 'Frozen Planet'

I find it rather disturbing and frustrating that the USA have decided not to broadcast the final episode.

What are your opinions on this?

What do you need to know about climate change?

Read this resource from the Guardian which should give you a really comprehensive view on climate change and the issues that it brings with it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2011/aug/15/everything-know-climate-change

Writing lyrics about Population theories!

This was an example of a fantastic piece of group work last week where a year 11 group changed the lyrics of 'Humpty Dumpty' to help with revising population theories.

Thomas Malthus sat on a wall

He said the population was going to fall

All the kings horses and all the kings men

Had a big war and it led to famine

Thomas Malthus said to the world

At population check there will be a war

Because the population goes up and there is not enough food

And leaves the entire world in a mood

Esther Boserup thought it was good

If the population went up and we ate all the food

Because we will make it using other ways

To stop our hunger so the human race stays

Esther Boserup’s theory wasn’t all true

The LEDC’s would still feel blue

Because they don’t have the tech to make these break throughs

And they’ll probably end up eating their shoes.

World Population to reach 7 Billion on Halloween - some kind of warning?

The population of the world is increasing, experts believe that the population will reach 7 billion on Halloween (31st October) this year.


What does this mean?
Where is the population growing fastest and why?
Are there some countries where the population is decreasing and why?
What will happen if the population continues to increase?
Will Malthusian and Boserupian theory continue to be argued?


All of these questions have very detailed and complex answers that we look at in year 11 geography lessons. Read some of the articles below and the answers to these questions will become much clearer.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8830738/Worlds-population-to-reach-7-billion-this-month.html
http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2049451/World-population-reach-7-BILLION-days.html#
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/malthus_thomas.shtml




Watch the videos below to assess the issues with 7 billion people living on our planet and to see what the typical person looks like and what they have access to.

Want to know what the differences between Matlhusian and Boserupian theory are in terms or population growth and resources? Then take a look at the video below.

Turkey Earthquake 23rd October 2011

As I often say to year 9 pupils, geography is a subject that is constantly changing and the earthquake in Turkey that unfortunately has led to loss of life is another example of the World evolving and the constant fight between the human race and the natural world. 


In the recent geography lessons year 10 have been analysing the effects of earthquakes around the World to see how they differ. The factors include;


- depth of focus
- distance of nearest urban population to epicentre
- urban v rural
- MEDC v LEDC - linked to responses, drills, building design and aid. 


Have a read of the following article on the Turkey earthquake that occurred yesterday. (see link below). What factors made this earthquake a deadly one?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15425268

BTEC Trip to Ham, London to do a spot of coppicing

Follow the link below to read a short report on the year 10 BTEC pupils recent trip out to Ham in London to coppice some elm trees. 


http://www.fhes.org.uk/index.phtml?d=237307


Coppicing is when you cut the tree down right to the floor to allow it to grow again but in more branches. The coppicing also allows more light to get to the forest flow and therefore this increases competition and biodiversity in the area and stops one species from dominating. 

The Little Ice Age - What was it?

A lot of geographers at FHES always ask about ice ages.


Are we about to go into an ice age Sir?
Should we be in an ice age now Sir?
What would happen if we went into an ice age Sir?


Read the article below which outlines what the 'Little Ice Age' was and when it occurred. If you take Geography for GCSE we have a look at the 'Little Ice Age' in more detail in year 10 in the climate and change section.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/sep/29/little-ice-age?CMP=twt_fd&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The Little Ice Age - Did it shrink people?

According to the following article from the National Geographic the 'Little Ice Age' not only caused chaos in terms of poor crop yields and lack of land available to be farming, it may have led to humans getting shorter due to malnutrition. 


Please read on


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/10/111003-science-climate-change-little-ice-age/#.To5SJASkhpc.twitter

Cost Benefit Analysis: Tar-Sand Oil

In year 11 we look at the costs and the benefits of using alternative resources to the resources we are currently using. Most of them are alternative fuels such as biofuels, solar and wind energy, but in Canada there is an alternative that could cause extreme environmental issues. 


Take a read of this article and see whether you think the use of tar sand oil from the boreal forests of Canada is sustainable or not.


http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1PuXwb/www.treehugger.com/files/2011/08/32-facts-about-the-canadian-tar-sands.php

Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Eruption by numbers - Year 10 Case Study - Restless Earth

This fantastic article shows the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption by numbers. It is a superb article which really highlights the effects of volcanic eruption in 2010.


Year 10: In the June exam you may need to look at the short and long term responses to a named volcanic eruption or the primary and secondary effects of a named volcanic eruption. Use this article to help you with the VLE question coming up.

http://11bohuntgeog.posterous.com/the-eyjafjallajokull-eruption-iceland

Amount of people over 100 in the UK on the rise

Year 11s have currently been studying the issues associated with an ageing population, looking at Japan as a case study. In Japan they have over 30,000 people over the age of 100. You can see from the graph in the article below that the number in the UK isn't quite as high but is getting higher year on year. 


Try and think about some of the effects that the UK will face with having a greater percentage of the population over the age of 100. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15106577

SAM Learning Years 10 and 11

Please follow the instructions below to access SAM learning. 

You will need to use this website before revising for assessments. I may also use it to set homework and also to check learning. 


I will also use the data that it provides to look at foundation v higher tier entry levels for students. 


It has been proven that with 10 hours actively engaging with the website could improve your level by at least a grade. Remember, in life, you normally always get out what you put in!

For students, your username and initial password is your date of birth followed by your initials.

So if a student  called John Smith had the 1/3/99 as their birthday the username and password would be

010399JS


You also need the Centre ID which is GU9FH

The website is www.samlearning.com

Once there you can navigate to the GCSE Geography section and pick the Edexcel B Geography specification page. Year 10 need to focus on unit 1, year 11 need to focus on unit 2. 

The best thing about it is that I can monitor how much time you spend on each task. 

11D & X Geography Homework VLE Question

'Using a named example, explain the causes and effects of an ageing population.' (4 marks)

Date due: 29th September

Year 11 Geography: Changes needed to help Japan's ageing population

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/mar/20/japan-ageing-population-technology

Use the web link above to see some of the ways the Japan is adapting to having an ageing population. With there being 3 old aged pensioners for every 1 child under 15 solutions to an ageing population are rapidly needed. The World is watch how Japan deals with a population whereby just over 20% of the population are over 65 years old. With over 30,000 aged over 100 years old, Japan faces a strain on not only its economy but also its society. 

Key Phrases;

Dependency Ratio

Ageing Population

What are the layers of the Earth and how can I remember plate boundaries?

Use these two videos below to make sure that your knowledge on plate tectonics is where you want it to be.


Layers of the Earth rap to Wiz Khalifa (Black and Yellow)

Make sure that you remember what happens at the different plate boundaries by perfecting your dance moves!!

Enjoy!

10D Homework

VLE Question: What processes happen at a destructive plate boundary and why? (4 marks)

Due 20th September

Year 10 BTEC Trip to Nower Wood

On Thursday 15th September 18 year 10 pupils doing Countryside and Environment embarked on a field trip to Nower Wood in Leatherhead as part of their course. 

The day:


Morning- short walk through the beech woodland talking through the variety of species of plants and animals. There were several discussion points through the walk focusing on what the plant species are competing for and discussing the biotic and abiotic factors that affect habitats. 


The students then took part in field work surveying the different number of species between the woodland that hasn't been affected by man and woodland that has been coppiced. The results were interesting. In the coppiced section of the woodland there were many more species and in greater abundance. 


Afternoon:  the students took part in two pond dips. There were two separate ponds, one in a shady area of the woodland and one in a really light area. All students took part in the pond dip and then had to identify the animals that they found. Among the creatures caught were great crested newts which are on the endangered species list in the UK.


The students then got the chance to see the animals underneath the microscopes in the classroom at Nower Wood. 


All in all a really educational day. Look out for photographs in the geography area of the school.


Well done to all students involved. 

Year 11 Homework

11D - How might the infant mortality rate differ between developing and developed countries? (4 marks) - due by 15th September.


11D and 11X - Using China as an example, explain whether you think the anti-natalist 'One Child Policy' has been a success? (4 marks) - due by 19th September. 


You may find that reading the article below on the effects of the OCP will give you a little bit of motivation. Make sure you plan your answer in bullet points before you start writing. 

The Surui people of the Amazon rainforest - using Google Earth to educate?

At first it would seem that the indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest would be the last people on Earth to use new technologies such as geo-tagging on Google Earth. This article looks at how with Google's help the Surui people lead by Chief Almir, have taken the battle against illegal logging and destruction of the rainforest to a global level using GIS. There is something very weird and quite emotive about seeing an indigenous tribesman holding and using a laptop. However, a clear example that westernization can lead to education for all. 

http://www.weareyouneak.com/2011/09/05/undiscovered-possibilities/

Oil - the difference between the rich and the poor?

This article shows that some people will risk their lives to get oil/gas from pipelines that flow above the ground in many LEDCs. It is clear that when it comes to natural resources around the world there are clearly the haves and the have nots. In the case of that 'have nots' in most cases it is not that the country in question has a lack of resources, it is the fact that those resources are sold off to benefit people in other parts of the World. A fair system?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/12/kenya-pipeline-explosion-deaths-analysis

Year 11 Geography: China's One Child Policy

This article below looks at the effects of the One Child Policy on subsistence farmers in rural China. 


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/02/china-village-of-bachelors


What are the issues that rural China will face in the future?


Have a think about this for when we look at the One Child Policy in detail later this month. 

Year 8 Geography: Flooding in an LEDC?

Pakistan and other countries in Asia suffer from monsoon rains each year. Have a look at the video clip in the link below to see how flooding in these countries not only occurs annually but also can have a devastating effect on the economy. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14869746

If the flooding happens annually why do you think that there isn't more being done to prevent the floods from occurring. In 2010, Pakistan suffered from some of the worst floods the country has ever experienced and still people are leaving in camps a year on when new flooding is only going to make the situation worse. Over 4 million people have been displaced. 

Would this happen in the UK? Have a think about your reasons and be prepared to look at this case study in your ILT. 

Why don't we get hurricanes in the UK?

It is a common myth that hurricanes can hit the UK. Indeed even Mr Phillips when visiting a recent year 9 geography lesson mentioned the 1987 'hurricane'. He was right in one way, in that the wind speeds in the 1987 were severe, but hurricanes form in between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer as this article below demonstrates.  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/23degrees/2011/09/whats_in_a_name.html

The Boscastle floods were caused by the remnants of hurricane Alex, and on Monday there will be rather high winds affecting the northern parts of the UK as the remnants of hurricane Katia pass over. We get the 'leftovers' due to wind patterns around the Northern Hemisphere. 


You can follow any potential hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean that may hit the USA and the Caribbean islands using the link below.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Change of Twitter Usernames

Over this weekend, I have changed some of the usernames of the Geography twitter accounts. 


@GeogMarsh is now my account that I will use to share resources and discuss learning with other geography teachers and educators. 


@FHESGeog is now a new account - purely for homework, controlled assessment and ILT updates. Articles of geographical interest and information will also be tweeted using this account.


@GeoHayley is the account for the new Geography teacher in the department - Miss Brown. 


Therefore if you were following the old @FHESGeog account it will now come up as @GeogMarsh so please search the new @FHESGeog to access that account. Thanks.


Mr. Marsh

10D Homework

VLE Question - Due in on the 14th September please;

'Why did you choose Geography GCSE?

How fast do forest fires move?

Forest fires are a natural hazard due to an extreme lack of rainfall and high temperatures, but they can also be man-made through arson or an electrical fault. The video on the link below shows just how quickly a forest fire can spread. It is quite astonishing! The forest fire in the clip happened in Texas, USA. 

http://gizmodo.com/5838133/this-is-how-insanely-fast-the-texas-wildfires-are-spreading

How do climate and landscape affect conflict?

The conflicts that have been taking place in several North African countries over the past months have been well documented by the media.  In Libya's case Colonel Gaddafi seems to have managed to get away under the noses of the rebel forces.


According to the link below he could be in one of the conveys that headed for Niger, a country to the South West of Libya, potentially via Algeria to the West of Libya. In the article it talks about how the desert poses problems for this migration, including the height of sand dunes within the Sahara desert. The heat during the day and the cold temperatures at night must of also caused an issue, and the gangs that could be potentially waiting to ambush. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14825169

Knowing about the climate of deserts and the harsh landscape that they produce:

• What would have been on your packing list if you were part of the convey?
• Which country would you head for and why? (Look at where Libya is in Africa and where the Sahara desert is found)
• What potential issues could the extreme climate cause for the convey?
• How cold can it get in deserts at night and what is the maximum temperature during the day?

Although the convey seems planned, it is clear that geography would have to be at the forefront of their thinking if they were to make it happen. 

How do Hurricanes work?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/hurricane.htm

Hurricane Irene that affected several states along the East coast of the USA is just one of the hurricanes that will affect humans across the World this year. Hurricanes have different names around the World. They can be known as hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones and willy-willies (that's Australia for you)

We always here about hurricanes that hit the USA and the Caribbean, but what may be more interesting is if you were to look at the number of storms that hit other parts of the World that are less well documented by the media. Last week Typhoon 12 dumped 1800mm of rainfall on Japan - did you here about that?

You may want to track hurricanes affecting the USA and the Caribbean at;

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hurricanes are another reminder that nature rules the World.



Population and dating problems in Serbia

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14735105

The above article raises some important issues regarding population issues in Serbia. 

• Why is Serbia so keen to increase its rate of population growth?
• What problems could Serbia face in the future? What are the issues of having an ageing population?
• What are your opinions of Serbia's idea to increase the likelihood of couples forming?

Is geography relevant?

I love geography, it is a subject that is constantly changing. I find that you can be very creative when teaching it and pupils enjoy learning through discussion, opinion and enthusiasm. 


I sometimes struggle to put how important I feel geography is to a pupil's education into words or anything that is remotely coherent. However, I feel that this video clip from David Lambert sums up how I feel. The future is in the hands of our young people.

Let me know how this video makes you feel about how insignificant, yet so important, humans are to our planet.