Merry Christmas!

 

Important information for YEAR 7s!!!

If you have failed HISTORY this 1st term..... (or you have got a C-)
Who? Failed students must do a little essay/project about 1066.   
What? You must explain the importance of that year in the history of Britain. Name of battles, people involved, kings, etc.  You may use pictures and drawings too.   
How? It must be done in paper as a little project of at least 5 to 10 pages or as a poster.
 When? The deadline when this must be handed in will be the 1st week in the school after the Christmas holidays. 

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If you have failed GEOGRAPHY this 1st term..... (or you have got a C-)
Who?
Failed students must do a little essay/project about an earthquake, volcano and tsunami (3 of them). 
What?
You must choose a real case study for each of the natural disasters and explain all about it as you did in the project (Remember that in that project you just used one example, this time you need to work more and do 3 in total). 
You may use pictures and drawings too. 
How?
It must be done in paper as a little project of at least 5 to 10 pages or as a poster. 
When?
The deadline when this must be handed in will be the 1st week in the school after the Christmas holidays. 

Toledo with year 9s

Toledo is one of Spain's jewels. Embraced by the River Tajo, within its walls it offers visitors a spectacular example of the history of Spanish art. Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Jews and Christians...all of the peoples that have played a part in the history of Spain left their mark in Toledo, assuring its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the twentieth century. We are back home after a nice day out in there. I just hope you had fun and learnt a lot visiting the cathedral and Tránsito Synagogue. Here you have some pictures to summarise your day out. 

Christmas Concert and News about donations

Just a couple of messages & reminders.

As we all know the Cristmas Concert will be this Friday (13/12/13) most of you are working hard to participate or to attend, do not forget to invite family and friends and buy the tickets in advance. This year all the money will go as a donation to "Fundación Agua de Coco".

My second important message of today is about the money it was collected to the "Philippines", we must be all very proud of the effort we just did in one day and the outcome. The final figure was 1624 Euros!!!

Well done everybody!

Geography in Key Stage 4 (year 10 & 11)

Dear parents and students of year 9,

I have got 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 my 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).


 

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

Dear parents and students of 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, you could ask again and get details from other IGCSE students that you met in the Options Meeting last Thursday 28th 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!!!

Updated information about the 2nd TERM

Most of the information about the second term is ready on the web page. Have a look on your "year tag" and you will get the information in advance about test, books, projects, etc (Year 8A History and 11 GEOG will be updated soon)

Philippines

Remember... next Thursday (21/11/13) we have a special day in the school to support the people of Philippines. Do not forget to bring your donations ... every little helps!

Year 7s,8s & 9s Geography & History (7s & 8A)

A quick reminder...
 
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.

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

 

More than 20000 visitors!!!

Dear all,

As I did last year... I want to send you the biggest THANK YOU as we have reached more than 20000 visitors in the webpage in the last 22 months (an average of 1000 per month). 
If you are curious about the webpage data, these are some of the countries we have got visitors from:

España / Spain  12233

Estados Unidos / USA  1592

Reino Unido / UK  719

Alemania / Germany  518

Rusia / Russia 508

Francia / France  242

Letonia / Latvia 211

Polonia / Poland  137

Países Bajos /Netherlands  131

India  123

Otros / Others 3586

Year 8s ...on the NEWS!!!

We are about to finish our unit about "Weather & climate" .... and we saw on the news one of the most dangerous natural disasters related with our topic. Haiyan (Yolanda) slammed into six central Philippine islands on Friday as the strongest typhoon of the year. It appears to be the deadliest storm - and natural disaster - on record to hit the Philippines, with officials saying that as many as 10,000 people are believed dead.

Here you have more information about it.... have a look! CLICK HERE or in the PICTURE

Year 7s...Latest NEWS!!!

You do not need to go far to get an earthquake!! Click on HERE and read....

Year 7s Our new unit on the NEWS

We just have started a new topic about "Plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes" and as usual nature could not wait to show how important is to know about all these geography issues. Click on the link below to read more. We will explain all about it in following lessons. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24677578

Revision of BOOKS and half term ORALS

Just a quick reminder to my 13 groups of teaching and all my students of Geography 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, 11 and History 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A..... Have a look to the updated information about revision of books and quick oral tests that we will do the following week. We will use these results as grade for the half term report.

Race / Carrera "Milla solidaria del mayor"

Just a quick reminder, they will be talking about this on PSHE and many other subjects. María just sent me the link with information about "Primera milla solidaria del mayor" you may get more information clicking on these webpages and you can enroll and sign it too.

http://www.losllanosvital.es

http://www.deporbox.com/eventov2/milla/portada

Welcome....back!

We did not even start yet... and  here you have some information about our 1st term. Hope you find it useful and it will be all explained the first week we see all each other. Click on upper tags to know more   ;-)

IGCSE results in GEOGRAPHY

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

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Well done and thanks for all your efforts. I just hope you are enjoying the summer and what is left.  I am very proud of you all :-)

A reminder about the summer postcards

Just a reminder.... Below you have the address if you want to send us a postcard about the place you are visiting on holidays.  We will create our first display after the summer with all of them.

The address will be Mataespesa, as it will be open most of the summer.
You can write the address with my name on your postcard so I could collect them properly after the summer.

I just hope you are enjoying the sun, and free time.

Mr. Legaz

____________________________________________________________________

                                                       Félix Legaz

                                                       Montessori School Mataespesa

                                                       Avenida Mataespesa, 45

                                                       28430 Alpedrete

                                                       Madrid      SPAIN

____________________________________________________________________

Summer & Summary of 2012 / 2013

After many days, weeks, months, terms of hard work .... here we have the well deserved rest & holidays!

Mr. Legaz academic year 2012-2013 in quick figures...
- I have been teaching 270 students
- 12 groups of teaching.  Geography: 7a, 7b, 7c , 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 11. 
                                        History: 7a, 7b, 7c. 
                                        Complementary hours of English (concertado site): 1º ESO 
- More than 1200 teaching hours (not included substitutions, duties, etc)
- More than 60 test, it means more than 1300 tests and exercise books marked!!!
- 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!!!

Summer Postcards 2013

Dear students,

Another year is coming to an end. Summer holidays are here and I have got an idea. Some lucky people will go far away and some other maybe they do not travel very far but they will enjoy themselves visiting new places around here. No matter where you go, it could be nice if we all send a postcard to the school talking briefly about the place we are visiting during the summer. We will use all of them to create our first display of the year when we are back to work after the summer holiday. This is voluntary, you do not need to do it if you do not want to... but it could be a good begining in September and a good way to share our summer experiences when we are back.

The address we will use is down here. It will be Mataespesa, as it will be open most of the summer.
You can write the address with my name on your postcard so I could collect them properly after the summer.

Thanks for being my students in 2012 - 2013.

I Wish You the Happiest Holidays Ever!!

Mr. Legaz

___________________________________________________________________

                                                       Félix Legaz

                                                       Montessori School Mataespesa

                                                       Avenida Mataespesa, 45

                                                       28430 Alpedrete

                                                       Madrid      SPAIN

___________________________________________________________________

Class of 1995... Congratulations!

Dear year 13 (class of 1995),

Congratulations for your graduation today (Friday). 

Wishing the BEST for the future to you all!

Summer time is coming...

Well done!!!

Just a picture to show you the money you have raised with the "spring fair and the race against hunger". The two NGO are going to be very happy with you all. Well done!!!

World Environment Day

Yesterday was the World Environment Day (WED), we should celebrate but thinking about what we do everyday and what we should do to improve our planet a little bit more. Useful information CLICK HERE

GEOGRAPHY!!! Presentations 1st week of June!!!

Just a quick reminder for all geography students of year 7A, 7B, 7C , 8A, 8B, 9A & 9B.

Next week (the first week of June) we will do the presentations of our geography projects. I am posting the dates down here one more time.

Remember ...you have got 20 minutes each group to explain all about your project. Use your time wisely.

The presentations for each group will be as it follows:

7A  Groups 1 & 2 (05/06/13)    Groups 3 & 4 (06/06/13) 

7B  Groups 1 & 2 (03/06/13)    Groups 3 & 4 (06/06/13) 

7C  Groups 1 & 2 (03/06/13)    Groups 3 & 4 (06/06/13)

8A  Groups 1 & 2 (03/06/13)    Groups 3 & 4 (05/06/13) 

8B  Groups 1 & 2 (05/06/13)    Groups 3 & 4 (06/06/13) 

9A  Groups 1 & 2 (04/06/13)    Groups 3 & 4 (07/06/13) 

9B  Groups 1 & 2 (04/06/13)    Groups 3 & 4 (06/06/13)  

Montessori School Mataespesa in the Olympics (Collado Villalba)

Good luck to everybody in the Olympics (Collado Villalba). Year 10s tomorrow....and year 7s on Thursday. I am sure you will give your best and you will enjoy yourselves during this competition. Fair play everybody and enjoy yourselves!

MORE INFORMATION HERE

IGCSE 2013 (GEOGRAPHY)

Dear year 11s,

Just a quick advice as next Tuesday 21st of May you are about to go through the last IGCSE geography paper but you have many other subjects to go through still, so it will be best if you concentrate on one thing at a time. If you have...let's say, an English paper coming up next....then concentrate on that one. Then move on to the next. Don't ever look at the "big picture" because that is when it becomes overwhelming. Just take it one step at a time and then move through each thing as they come. Best wishes and good luck. I am sure you will do all fine in IGCSE Geography and you could always have a second try in November if it is needed ;-)

The Race Against Hunger / Carrera Contra el Hambre 2013

Every year, 2.3 million children die because they don’t get enough of the right food. 

In the UK , the prime minister (David Cameron) has announced that he will lead the way in the Race Against Hunger. He will use his G8 presidency in 2013 to set ambitious plans to tackle hunger and save millions of children's lives.

The world has shown in recent years that it can take dramatic action - millions of children have been saved from preventable diseases. But despite major progress, hunger is still the root cause of a third of all child deaths. 

Right now, rises in global food prices are deepening the crisis. Families in the poorest countries are finding it harder and harder to afford the nutritious food their children need.

On Friday you have the chance to run and rise money with your effort and help to tackle hunger and save millions of lives.

Congratulations in advance and good luck to everybody! You should be proud of yourselves!

MORE INFORMATION HERE

Year 8s Project and Presentation (Global Project)

The last project for this year 8 is here... you must work very hard as this grade is going to be needed for this term. You will work as part of a team and you will follow the instructions I gave you in our last lesson. Everything must be done properly and handed in on time. Be careful with the deadlines. Any project that is not done correctly will be repeated and the whole group could be penalised. 

Remember the basics:

- You must choose a country. (Spain, France, UK are not elegible)
- Flag, map, location must be included.
- Size and population too.
- And the most important part, you should be able to investigate, analise, write and explain four key aspects related to this country.... Coastal erosion, weather & climate, ecosystems, sources of energy.

Deadline and day of presentations

PROJECT (Global Project) .... Presentations.... (20 mins. each group)

8A  Groups 1 & 2 (03/06/13)    Groups 3& 4 (05/06/13) 

8B  Groups 1 & 2 (05/06/13)    Groups 3& 4 (06/06/13)  

If you have any question, do not hesitate to contact me.  

Year 9s Project & Presentation (Welcome to.......)

"Welcome to... " it is the title of the project about tourism this term. You must follow the instructions I gave to you in our last lesson. Here you have a quick reminder.

Basic information to get started

- You will need to decide which place you want to work about.
- Write the names of all members in a paper and write the information they will be working with and bringing into every lesson.
- Individual people on each group could be penalised if they do not bring information, talk loud or/and walk around the classroom.

Basic information to run the project (at least this information MUST be included)

- Location & flag (maps and pictures)

- Physical features (maps and information about physical aspects)

- Ways of transport (roads, airports, ports, railways, metro, etc supported

 with visual information like pictures, transport maps, etc)

- Accomodation (B&B, Hotels, Hostels, Backpackers, Motels, etc)

- Food (typical food, and restaurants)

- Things you could do there (outdoor activities, beach, mountains, shopping etc)

- Flora and fauna (vegetation and animals)

- Type(s) of tourism (sun & beach, cultural, food, relax, etc)

- Why is so important to enjoy a holiday in “your place”? Why is

 it different there? Why should people go and visit?

- Includes as many pictures as you can and create a slogan. Make it catchy!.

Deadline and day of presentations

Presentations.... (20 mins. each group)

9A  Groups 1 & 2 (04/06/13)    Groups 3& 4 (07/06/13) 

9B  Groups 1 & 2 (04/06/13)    Groups 3& 4 (06/06/13)