As you may know, two major reviews of the primary curriculum are currently underway; The Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum, as led by Sir Jim Rose and The Cambridge Primary Review, an independent review directed by Professor Robin Alexander. Both have recently brought out interim reports and are due to produce final reports this year. Visit our Curriculum Review page for the latest updates, including the GA's responses to the latest reports, and to find out how to make your voice heard.
(20.03.09)
Google's 'Street View' service has launched today in the UK, available via Google Earth and Google Maps. The services offers detailed imagery of 25 British cities allowing users to go on virtual tours around city centres and suburbs. With Sheffield being one of the 25 cities, you can visit GA HQ from anywhere in the world. To see GA HQ, visit Google Maps, type S1 4BF and click 'street view' in the pop up box.
(19.03.09)
ActionAid and Spanner Films have teamed up to create Think Global: The Age of Stupid, a toolkit for schools and community groups to think and act on the issues raised in The Age of Stupid. Normally priced £25, ActionAid are offering the toolkit free to the first 1000 schools to apply. The pack will be published in September and includes:
Find out more about the pack and register for your free copy on the ActionAid website.
The Age of Stupid stars Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at 'archive' footage from 2008, asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance? Visit the official Age of Stupid website to find out more about the film.
(19.03.09)
This March, teachers and students took part in a day of fun activities at Northumbria University aimed at promoting geography in higher education. The workshop, 'Where will Geography lead me? Why does Geography need me?', was organised by the Tyne and Wear branch of the Geographical Association in conjunction with staff at the Disciplines of Geography and Environmental Management at Northumbria University. The first event of its kind in the country, it aimed to give teachers new and exciting ideas to use in the classroom and to encourage children to have an interest in the subject.
The day saw teachers discussing exam marking, fieldwork and geophotography, while the children took part in a range of activities, including analysing pollen and looking at the texture of rocks by comparing the textures of different chocolate biscuits. Steve Rawlinson, Principal Lecturer and Deputy Programme Leader in PGCE Primary at Northumbria University, said: "We feel that events like this will open young people's eyes to the many opportunities and interesting careers that exist in the field of geography."
For a full report see the Northumbria University website.
(17.03.09)
At 8:30pm on 28 March, join a billion people around the world and turn off your lights for one hour. Some 934 cities from 80 countries have already signed up to WWF's Earth Hour. Sign up to register your school and help champion climate change.
Free schools resources are available to download, including a film, background information about climate change, and a toolkit containing ideas for assemblies, activities, challenges and games.
To find out more about Earth Hour, what other schools are doing and to sign up, visit the Earth Hour schools section of the WWF website.
(17.03.09)
Applications are now being accepted for educators wishing to take part in this summer's Earthwatch Educator Expeditions.
Wildlife Enhancement on a Working Farm
Dates: 27 - 31 July 2009
Climate Change in Fragmented Forests
Dates: 2 - 8 August and 9 - 15 August 2009
Deadline for applications: Thursday 9 April 2009
Participation in an Earthwatch Educator Expedition provides a unique, experiential learning opportunity, putting teachers in touch with current conservation research and environmental science happening in the field. For more information and application material visit the Earthwatch Institute website.
(05.03.09)
Are you aware of the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge scheme? The badge aims to become the kite mark for good practice, identifying providers that offer high-quality teaching and learning experiences outside the classroom and that manage risk effectively. Over 70 organisations have already been awarded the badge. Look out for the Quality Badge the next time you are planning an out of school visit. See the LOTC website to find out more.
(03.03.09)
Every year the GA's International Working Group organises an overseas study tour to introduce teachers to key aspects of the contemporary geography of the destination country. The 2009 tour will take place in Southern India from 26 July - 9 August, and participants will visit Kochi, Sangam, Mysore and Bangalore. The trip costs £1750 and this year two bursaries of £500 are available for one primary and one secondary teacher. Further information and booking forms are available on the India 2009 page.
(23.02.09)
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