Taking notes... :-)

A video that many of you are going to find familiar...even if it is not happening in one of my geography or history lessons... :-) Press play and enjoy it!

Year 9s OPTIONS TIME!!! Is Geography for me?

Dear year 9s

As you get closer to narrowing down your options, I have received some questions from pupils asking me about next year. Most of you are a bit excited and nervous about what to do and choose for year 10 and 11. Well, it is difficult for me to give an individual answer for each of you, for that reason you should think about a few things, and you can read them all down here. This applies just as well to any subject, not just Geography.

Step 1: Most important - do you enjoy it?
If you enjoy a subject you will work harder and be more attentive. That will lead to a happier couple of years, and a better grade at the end of it. If you enjoy several subjects, go to step 2...

Step 2: Are you good at it?
If you have several subjects you enjoy, think about which ones you are best at. Remember though, that if you haven't done well recently it doesn't mean you won't do better next year, especially as the people in your group will change which may help you concentrate better. If you are still struggling, go to step 3...

Step 3: The Department
If you haven't made your decisions based on Steps 1 and 2 (and even if you have), take a look at the department you will be working in. Every subject has huge strengths, and you need to decide which are appropriate for you. In last year's IGCSE exams, most of our Geography students at Montessori School Mataespesa got a grade C / B - and many A or an A*. Is this something that is important to you? You can also think about the classrooms, access to past papers, and the staff - but see the word of warning in Step 5!

Step 4: What will you study next year - is it interesting?
If you still can't decide, get details from other IGCSE students in the Options Meeting on Thursday 29th November about the course you are going to study. You might find Geography more interesting than you thought - from global issues like climate change and fighting poverty, right down to why you live in your house and why there isn't a cinema nearby, geography is an interesting subject. Remember also that some new subjects that sound fabulously exciting might not turn out the way you think they will. This brings us on to the next point...

Step 5: The teachers
You might want to study with the same teacher for the next two years. Or you might want to get away from one you have at the moment! :,( But don't let this be something that influences your decision to do any particular subject. Remember that teachers are unlikely to teach all the groups in your year for IGCSE, and even if they do, in all subject areas teachers move on from time to time. Mr. Vallely and "myself" Mr. Legaz.... we are very busy every year and last minute subject changes may occur.

Whatever you decide, make sure it is the right subject for you. The Geography Department naturally wants you ALL to do Geography because we think it is the most important subject you could take (where else will you learn about global warming, rainforest destruction, shopping patterns and coastal erosion?) but we also want you to make the right decision. Ask us at any time if you want more advice.

Here you have a couple of videos from a school in UK giving you reasons to choose GEOGRAPHY as IGCSE. I will try to publish some other videos on here to help you with your final decision. Show it to your parents so you make the right choice!!!

Year 7s & 8s Geography

A couple of reminders...

- We will do the global tests next week(term one tests) , so you must revise everything we have been explaining from September until now. Use your book and the exercise book to revise properly. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

- Secondly, as you have noticed during this week before the global tests, we have been watching a documental that is summarising a little bit some of the issues we have been explaining and talking about. Do not forget to do a "report" little summary/essay on your exercise book as I will be marking your books after the exams next week.

Good luck to everybody and do not leave for the last minute the revision for the test!!!

Year 9s TNCs

The TEST is coming, as you know already it has been set up for next week (27/11/12). 
I just wanted to show the importance about all the issues we are explaining in our geography lessons. Here you have a link to a spanish newspaper, they are explaining the problems with TNCs and the tricks they do to pay less. It could be a problem in many european economies and they are going to take some actions against them. 

http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2012/11/20/agencias/1353412104_862384.html

Reminders for Geography year 7s and a change for 7B

Just a quick reminder about dates of global test and a change for date of the exam of 7B.


- TEST (Global test / Term test)

7A (28/11/12) 

7B (26/11/12)   (instead of 29th)

7C (26/11/12)



GOOD LUCK!!! 

Year 9s... TNCs

Last year I posted this video, I think it is very useful because we have explained in detail how TNCs with headquarters based on MEDCs, are taking advantage of LEDCs to produce as much as they want to increase their profits, keeping costs of production very low.
Well, here you have again. It summarises everything and links a little bit with our next topic about China that we will see next  term, as a country which is growing fast because many of the goods that we buy are produced cheaply there. Have a look to the video and be brave to create your own. We could be posting it here. The video on here was created by a year 9 from UK.