Friday 30 October 2009

Finding high quality images for geography

I prepared this PowerPoint for my seminar at the TES Education Show in London (02/10/09) and then decided that I didn't have time to share it - so I've chosen to share it here instead.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Flip Flotsom - exploring the idea of sustainability through the journey of the humble flip-flop in Kenya


I've just come across this poem and video on YouTube (though you may know it as it's been around since at least 2003). I think both are wonderful - the poem and video are lyrical explorations of what happens to a `flip-flop' from the time it is manufactured to the time it is recycled.

Flip Flotsam

This is the beach
where the flip flops come
at the end of their
flip flop trip.

And where does a
flip flop trip begin?

the floor of a flip flop factory;
on the shelf of a flip flop shop;
or the foot of a flip flop fan?

See Elspeth Murrays website for a full version of the poem (and lots more too!) She sounds really great and has done lots of work in schools.

You will find the video on You Tube

This video is also available from Jouneyman Pictures who have lots of documentary videos available to support geography though not all are suitable for primary children.)

Wednesday 21 October 2009

50 plus Creatively Simple Ways to Teach Primary Geography

Following in the footsteps of Tom Barrett and Tony Cassidy I've started a collaborative Google Presentation. The idea behind this is that people with an interest in sharing ideas for Primary Geography work together to pool ideas. SO I NEED YOU TO SHARE TOO! There are two ways you can do this - preferably you send me your e-mail contact address and I add you as a collaborator so that you can edit the Google Doc. If you don't feel very confident about this then please send me your idea and I will add it myself. I'd like this to be a collaborative endeavour - please contribute. e-mail: wnorth@geography.org.uk

Friday 9 October 2009

Primary Geography Champions


Visit Geography Champions


Why not join us on the site - we're trying to establish this network to support teachers in the UK and beyond.

Saturday 3 October 2009

Map IT Picture IT Write IT - Course Handouts


Course handouts and the City of the Week powerpoint that were shared at my seminar (see next post below) can be accessed via the following links:

Download Course Handouts below:


1. MapIt PictureIt WriteIt - website guide

2. A Guide to creating maps using Quikmaps

3. Conversations between characters `At the skatepark'

4. A Different View:Images and Activities

5. Four senses frame (see, hear, smell, feel or touch)

6. What's in the square (Nine Number Grid)

7. City of the week PowerPoint Presentation You will need to download this presentation from the Slideshare website in order for the links to work.

`MapIT Picture IT Write IT' seminar at the 2009 TES Education Show in London


It was really good to meet everyone at my seminar session at Olympia yesterday and absolutely fantastic to meet so many people who are enthusiastic about geography. I've updated the PowerPoint and credited photographers & schools where appropriate. I'll send everyone who left me their e-mail address a copy of the PowerPoint (probably later this week) and I'll also be sending you an invitation to join the Primary Geography Champions NING - though if you don't want to wait you can click on the link above and register today. If you'd like to contact me directly my contact details are on the Geographical Association website.

The PowerPoint has been split into two halves to make the download size more manageable: