Wednesday 11 December 2019

La Florida --- Year 8s TRIP --- Royal Tapestry Factory (Real Fábrica de Tapices)

We are back after a great trip to the Royal Tapestry Factory. We have learnt many things like the Royal Factory maintains its tapestry-making activity in line with the 18th-century handicraft tradition. The hand making of a tapestry is a delicate process that entails between 6 and 12 months of dedication for each square metre as we saw with four workers trying hard with a nice tapestry for a German palace. 

They explained to us that works begin with the elaboration of a ``cartoon``, a life-size model that guides the weaver during the making of the tapestry. Once the design is approved, yarns of wool and silk are dyed one after another for each project. The Royal Tapestry Factory favours the use of very high density weaving to achieve the highest level of quality and detail.The weaver uses ``bobbins`` with fine threads of wool and silk to convert the pictorial details and nuances of the cartoon into tapestry.

Each work adapts to the taste and needs of the client, who can actively participate in the selection of the design, materials and colours. This process ends in the production of a personalized piece of craft whose quality is unbeatable.

We all enjoyed and learnt a little bit more about something new for us but an old tradition in this country,














Wednesday 4 December 2019

Climate Change / COP25 - El Prado Museum and WWF


Madrid is hosting the 25th United Nations Climate Change summit (COP25) from December 2 to 13 after Chile’s resignation. The Spanish capital had four weeks to face the logistical challenge of the most important event of the year to provide solutions to the global climate crisis.

People from all over the world are comming to talk about different issues as we normally do in geography. For example, issues such as population growth, resources, development, natural disasters such as earthquakes, rivers, floods and many other topics that we cover in our geography lessons every year from year 7 to 11. Climate change matters and "El museo del Prado" and "WWF" are trying to show through art the consequencies of climate change to us all. Have a look to the following video and links.....
















Monday 2 December 2019

Year 11s IGCSE MOCKS 2020 (REMINDER)

Year 11s........Just a quick reminder to let you know the dates of the IGCSE mocks for GEOGRAPHY after the Christmas holiday. Remember, do not forget to study and revise and bring all you need for the tests (eg: rules, protractor, calculator, a piece of string, pens, pencil, ruber, etc)




- TESTS (IGCSE MOCKS EXAMS 2020) 



TUESDAY (14/01/20) 
Paper 1  (1hour and 45 mins) (PM) >>> 14:50


FRIDAY (17/01/20) 
Paper 2  (1hour and 30 mins) (PM) >>> 14:50


THURSDAY (23/01/20) 
Paper 4 (1hour and 30 mins) (AM) >>> 12:05



And remember ...





Friday 13th Christmas Concert in Mataespesa

The Christmas Concert is after school on Friday 13th , Mataespesa site.  Tickets could be bought in advance or the day of the event at the venue. If you can not attend but you want to make a donation, you might even buy a "fila cero" ticket. Remember, all the money will be for projects of "Médicos sin Fronteras". Let's help this important NGO and all the projects!





Wednesday 13 November 2019

Geography in Key Stage 4 (year 10 & 11)

Dear parents and students of year 9,

I have received some requests about information a little bit more in detail about Geography in year 10 and 11. So, I have decided to make a brief summary of the important information to pay attention about this subject and posted on here. You may find this information and other, in the "portal de comunicación".


_____________________________________________________ 


KEY STAGE 4 – YEARS 10-11 


 

1.Aims 
In Key Stage 4, students in Montessori Mataespesa/Fresnos will be prepared for the International General Certificate of Education exam of the University of Cambridge Examinations Board (IGCSE), Syllabus number 0460. The aims are therefore the same as those specified by the exam board and are summarised as follows: - 
1. To develop a sense of place and an understanding of relative location on a local, regional and global scale; 
2. To develop an awareness of the characteristics and distribution of a selection of contrasting physical and human environments; 
3. To develop an understanding of some of the processes affecting the development of such environments; 
4. To develop an understanding of the spatial effects of the ways in which people interact with each other and with their environments; 
5. To develop an understanding of different communities and cultures throughout the world and an awareness of the contrasting opportunities and constraints presented by different environments.

 

2. Syllabus outline 
All students will follow the same teaching syllabus, based on the exam syllabus.

YEAR 10 (Physical Geography)
1. Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, volcanoes, fold mountains, rift valleys, natural hazards and human response. 
2. Weathering and mass movement 
3. Fluvial processes and associated landforms, flooding, river pollution, water resources – uses, competition and conflict 
4. Marine processes and associated landforms, coastal flooding, coastal pollution, and coastal management 
5. The collection of meteorological data and factors affecting climate 
6. Tropical rainforests – climate and vegetation, plantation farming, small-scale subsistence agriculture, deforestation and global warming 
7. Deserts – climate and vegetation 

YEAR 11 (Human Geography)
1. World population distribution and density. World population growth, the concepts of overpopulation and carrying capacity. The demographic transition and variations in world population growth. Pro- and anti-natalist policies. Population structure, population pyramids. Population migration – causes and consequences
2. Settlement site, situation, pattern, morphology, function and growth. Settlement hierarchies and spheres of influence – shopping patterns. Urbanisation and associated problems. Urban land use models and comparisons between MEDCs and LEDCs. Inner cities and their redevelopment, ribbon development, dormitory suburbs/villages, green belts. Rural-urban migration in the LEDCs and shanty towns 
3. Employment structure 
4. Farming – changes in commercial and cash-crop farming 
5. Energy – significance of different energy sources, acid rain, the siting of power stations 
6. Industrial systems - motor vehicle assembly, high technology industries 
7. Leisure & tourism 
8. Revision 

3. Time allocation 


Students will have 3 x 55 minute periods of Geography and some homework per week. 

4. Resources 


Each student will have a copy of The New Wider World (Third Edition) by David Waugh (ISBN ). Each student will have access to the Oxford Practical Atlas (ISBN 0 19 831836 7). The textbook and atlas are supplemented by many teacher-prepared resources and by past examination questions. 

5. Assessment 


No assessment will be made of the students’ notes but assessment will be based on IGCSE style questions and the grades awarded will be equivalent to those that would have been obtained by the student under examination conditions bearing in mind the stage in the course. There will be tests at the end of most teaching units and formal examinations in June of Year 10 and in January of Year 11. All students will enter for Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework).









Tuesday 29 October 2019

Los Fresnos --- Year 8s --- Sorolla Museum

Last Friday year 8B spent a wonderful day out visiting an increadible museum in Madrid. We learnt a little bit more about "Sorolla" and his art. We need to send a BIG thank you to our guides around the museum. A couple of weeks ago, year 8A enjoyed this incredible place too, and here you have some pictures of this fantastic place and excursion. 












Thursday 24 October 2019

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 and teachers in the "Options Meeting" on Wednesday 13th of 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 some videos. The first one is 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 them to your parents so you make the right choice!!!
























Thursday 17 October 2019

Revision of BOOKS and half term ORALS

Just a quick reminder to my groups of teaching and all my students of Geography 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 11, in Fresnos and Mataespesa and Geography 7, 8A, 8B and History 7 in La Florida. Check the information about the revision of books and quick oral tests that we are doing this week and some other groups will do the following one too. REMEMBER ...We will use these results to help you to understand your subject knowledge until now and to give you feedback to improve it. 





Friday 13 September 2019

Welcome...back! 2019-2020

Dear parents and students,

As I do every September, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back for the start of the 2019 – 2020 school year. Although I’m sure everyone hates to see their summer vacation come to an end, there is always a certain air of excitement about the start of a new school year. 
We did have our first week together and here you have some information about our academic year (all the school terms). Hope you find it useful, it is just a reminder of all the information I have been explaining to you this first week of term. When you visit my webpage, do not forget to click on upper tags to know more. But anyway... most of you are more or less familiar with new timetables, rooms, books, and teachers.

It is going to be a challenging year for us all (students, parents, and teachers), with many different issues to deal with academically or not, in and out the school. As you know already, I am going to be very busy between three different sites, - Montessori School Los Fresnos, Mataespesa and La Florida, so please be patient and I will try my best as usual. And 
for that reason we all must make an extra effort in our own responsibilities, being supportive of each other.

- Students, I expect you to work hard, study a lot, following school rules as you know them already.

- Parents, I know and appreciate your support and understanding of the hard work of teachers and special conditions we are going through at work. So, I give you all my biggest thank you in advance.
- Teachers (myself) As a teacher I understand the effort all of you (parents) are making to bring your kids here and I will do my job as professional as ever to get outstanding and best academic results with every single student I am responsible in every subject, group and lessons I teach.

Ok, enough is enough... time to say bye for now.


I just wish you the best of luck to you all this year.


Mr. Legaz

Thursday 8 August 2019

August and the IGCSE results!!!

Cambridge learners around the world are receiving the results of their Cambridge examinations this month and I just want to say one thing to my year 11s ...... 


KEEP CALM AND GOOD LUCK!!!





Monday 22 July 2019

Summer time!

Empty school, corridors in silence and lonely lockers. Some of you are still waiting for the IGCSE, AS or A level results but it is time to relax now. Do not forget to revise and read during the summer to keep ourselves busy and active.







Wednesday 19 June 2019

Some interesting figures .... 2018 / 2019

Every june I try to make a summary about my academic year. After many days, weeks, months, terms of hard work .... here we have the well deserved rest & holidays!... and some numbers.

Mr. Legaz' academic year 2018-2019 in quick figures...

- I have been teaching 170 students
-11 groups of teaching. Geography: Key Stage 3  -  7A, 7B, 7C 
                                                                                  8A, 8B, 8C  
                                                                                  9A, 9B
                                                         Key Stage 4  -  10, 11
                             PSHE / TUTOR:  Key Stage 3  -  7B                                     
                                                                               
- More than 1200 teaching hours (not included substitutions, duties, etc)
- More than 20 different test, it means around 490 marked tests and 168 exercise books marked 672 times!!!
- Around 672 grades and comments on reports.
- 102 projects in geography.
- Countless notes in diaries and some phone calls to parents
- Many parents evenings, tutorial appointments and teacher meetings 
- And millions of SILENCE please and behave properly! Thank you!

SEE YOU AFTER THE SUMMER WITH NEW STRENGHT AND ENERGY!!!









Monday 10 June 2019

Summer letter 2019

Estimados padres y alumnos de “Geography” en year 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, 10, y 11 :

Como cada año cuando llegan estas fechas, me gusta comunicarme con vosotros para agradecer vuestro apoyo y trabajo desde casa. Este ha sido otro año intenso, y no sólo en lo académico. Agradezco vuestro reconocimiento y apoyo durante todos estos meses.

Espero disfrutéis de un buen verano y merecido descanso. Como cada año, recomiendo se siga en contacto con actividades relacionadas con la lectura y repaso de conceptos aprendidos durante el año. Algunos estudiantes de “year 7, 8 y 9” han recibido en estos dias un “summer-pack”. En los comentarios de las notas he puesto quien debe hacer el trabajo de verano. Son actividades de repaso para aquellos que han suspendido o han aprobado pero creo que necesitan reforzar la asignatura de cara al curso que viene. No olvidéis traerlo hecho a la vuelta de vacaciones y entregarlo en la primera semana como “year 8, 9 ó 10”.

Aquí tenéis un enlace con las instrucciones por si han perdido la documentación que he entregado o voy a entregar aún a alguno de los alumnos.

https://mrlegaz.blogspot.com/2019/06/summer-work-2019-geography-mrlegaz.html

Para mis estudiantes de year 10 espero reviséis algo durante estos meses y para los de year 11, espero tengáis buenos resultados en los IGCSE y disfrutéis de un gran verano.

También espero que durante esta pausa veraniega, descansemos y el sol nos recargue a todos de energía para así empezar el nuevo curso con fuerza y energía renovada.

Un abrazo y gracias una vez más.

Félix Legaz



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Dear parents and students of "Geography" in year 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, 10 and 11,

Let me take the opportunity to communicate with you to thank you for the support and help provided from home. It has been another long hard year in many ways, not just academically. I really appreciate your support and understanding during all these months.

I encourage you to work with your child over the summer with just the right mix of fun in the sun, family time, new experiences and friends and studying to reinforce the skills learned this year- reading every day, writing, discussion and review of concepts. Some students in "year 7, 8 and 9" have received a "summer-pack" already (or they will do in the following days). There is a reminder on the reports anyway. The "summer work" are just activities for those who have failed or they are at the edge and/or I think they need to strengthen their knowledge in my subject for next year. Please, do not forget to bring it done in September and hand it in the first week you are back to school again, as year 8, 9 or 10. 

There is a link here, just in case the students have lost the hand out with all the information.

https://mrlegaz.blogspot.com/2019/06/summer-work-2019-geography-mrlegaz.html

For my year 10 do not forget to revise a little bit and for my year 11s students, I just hope you have a great summer and nice IGCSE results as well.

I also hope that this summer break will bring us lots of sun and rest, so we will be back to work with renewed strength and energy.

Regards and thank you very much one more time.

Félix Legaz


Graduation YEAR 13 .... 2019


Dear year 13 (students of 2001),
Congratulations for your graduation this Thursday. 
Wishing the BEST for the future to you all! 









Thursday 6 June 2019

Year 9s Trip to Valencia.... some tips

Get ready for the exiciting trip to VALENCIA. Do not forget to do your packing list in advance. If you do not know how to do one, here you have an example.... CLICK HEREEnjoy Valencia !!








Wednesday 5 June 2019

SUMMER WORK 2019 (GEOGRAPHY - MR.LEGAZ)

Important Information for some Year 7s, 8s and 9s


Who? Failed students, students graded as C-, maybe C or with other academic circumstances that the teacher thinks they must do this work during the summer holiday. I gave you a hard copy already but I will remind you in your report if you need to do it.

What? You should read the instructions below (click on them) and use information from your exercise book and text book to answer the questions.

How?. You must give your answer using paper (DIN A4)
For some answers, you may write, use pictures, spider maps and drawings (if it is necessary) 


When? The deadline, when this "summer work" must be handed in, it will be the week you are back to school as year 8, 9 or 10.


CLICK down here or on the tags above (GEOG 7, 8 or 9)



Wednesday 8 May 2019

Well done.....

CONGRATULATIONS and thank you to all the people involved in all the stalls of the Spring Fair. 
The final figure obtained in the whole Spring Fair for this year´s NGOs was 1.204,06 €
Enach and AECC are going to be very happy and proud of you all for your effort,help and support. Thank you all!!!




 ENACH

 AECC