Geography as a G.C.S.E. option.

G.C.S.E. options are now chosen in March of Year 8 to begin in the Spetember of Year 9.

The Geography syllabus which we follow is centred upon understanding the interaction between the human and physical environment, and the consequences of any decisions.

Specification - EDEXCEL B.

Examinations.

Year 9. (2 or 3 year G.C.S.E.)

There is an exam week immediately before the easter holidays. It can be quite a shock to suddenly do exams in a large hall with 200 others and to be doing all your subject exams so close together. Do not waste this chance to get used to this way of working, so that the real things do not come as a surprise.

Year 10. (2 or 3 year G.C.S.E.)

Mock exams. These happen just before Christmas. A final chance to fine tune your skills & nerves.

At least this time you get some study leave. However, you cannot revise everything thoroughly in the time available, so start early.

G.C.S.E. papers.

* Decision Making Paper (D.M.E.). This is a tiered (2 levels) paper. We have a few lessons just before study leave to look at the pre-seen information. Of course you see the questions on the day.

* Main paper. This is a tiered (2 levels) data response and case study question paper.

* Course work. We will do our field work in the summer term and start to write our 2000 word report before the holidays. Do this work to the best of your ability and 25% of the exam is already finished.

FINAL DEADLINES for coursework to be marked are in the end term 4 (March year 10).

Year 11. (2 year G.C.S.E.) Summer 2007 will be the examinations for the last year group who started G.C.S.E. in Year 10. See paragraphs above for your final year.

Summer 2008 will be the first exams for the 2 or 3 year G.C.S.E. candidates who started in Year 9. If you decide that you need a bit more time to be able to do your best in G.C.S.E.s then you will be able to reinforce your understanding in Year 11.

Year 9 Syllabus.

Autumn term.

Tourism. Including British National Parks and ecotourism.

Population change. Including poipulation graphs, demographic transition model and how countries can control population growth.

Resources. The impact of changing populations upon the use and impact of resource consumption around the world.

Spring Term.

Coastal processes, landforms and management.

Environmental hazards of flooding and tectonic activity. Finding your Year 9 notes will help here.

Summer Term.

Study of a local coastline to examine the impact of erosion on the sea defences in a country park.

We need to answer 3 key questions: a) What processes are occuring? b) Why should we protect this site? c) Are the defecnes effective?

Depending upon the time available we may start the unit on the world of work.

Summer Holidays.

An opportunity to make progress with your coursework. Don't forget to keep an eye on the news for Geography related events, especially if they occur in places we have used as case studies.

Year 10 Syllabus.

Autumn term.

World of work. Includes the roles and responsibilites of Multi National Companies. The impact of new employment & development in a region.

Issues of fresh water availability, environmental consequences, and sustainability. Case study of fresh water pollution. Case study of the impact of dams and reservoirs on the environment.

Spring term.

Sustainable environments. The sustainability of urban areas in M.E.D.C.'s. With issues such as urban structure, transport problems, greenfield and greenbelt development, urban renewal and brownfield sites.

The sustainability of urban areas in L.E.D.C.'s. With issues such as migration rates, infrastructure development, shanty towns, lifestyles and self-help development.

Summer term.

Revision.

Practicing for the D.M.E.

Year 11 Syllabus.

For exams in 2007. Year 11 - see the section above. There will be slight differences as we have changed the order of teaching the units, but you will still cover all parts of the syllabus.

For exams in 2008. Candidated using 3 years to prpepare for G.C.S.E. you should speak to your teacher about your Year 11 syllabus.

*** *** Help! *** ***

* Remember to do your own revision. What we do in class is NOT enough without extra effort from you. If you have not started by Easter, you are running out of time.

Yes, this means YOU as well!

* D.M.E. paper. We are allowed to open the Resources Booklets just before you leave. We don't know the questions!

You take the Advanced Information booklets with you, but you will receive a new copy in the exam.

Exam hints.

* Learn your basic vocabulary.

* Learn the basic facts about your case studies.

* Don't forget to learn some labels for simple diagrams and maps of common physical features. For example; labelling a picture of an eroding coastline is an old favourite of examiners.

If you cannot finish your diagram in less than 5 minutes it is too complicated.

* Don't waffle or repeat the question. It wastes time and space.

* Reread your answers at the end if you have any time left.

* The examiners think you need 2 hours so USE it ALL!

* The final D.M.E. question is worth lots of marks so leave enough time (paper is 1.25 hours). You know what it will be! Which project will you choose and why? Which project will you NOT choose and why? So you should have an answer organised in your head.

* If your mock grade was below your target, what are YOU doing about it? REVISION CLASSES are on offer. You will be given PAST PAPERS, have you tried any of these questions; has your teacher marked them for you? Have you used the revision or glossary pages on the geography web site or BBC bitesize to support your revision.