Global learning examples E: Using enquiry and critical thinking

to consider development issuesThe samples of work in this presentation were submitted by these schools as part of their applications for the Geography Quality Mark:•John Gibbard School, Sharnbrook, Bedford.•Malmsbury School, Malmsbury, Wiltshire.•Newton Farm Junior School, South Harrow. •Sir John Lawes School, Harpenden.

Global learning skills: enquiry KS1’s trip to Woburn Safari Park. They attended a talk on endangered animals. The children were able to answer question about animals under threat and asked thoughtful question showing their growing understanding of the issue.

The children in Y2 holding a mock council debate at the end of a two week unit on “Should a supermarket be built in Sharnbrook.” After considering all the evidence the children voted that a supermarket should not be built. The reasons they gave were:• Causes too much pollution• The Co-op would have to close• The increased traffic would be dangerous and may make them late for school!!

Why do they kill the elephant to get its tusks?

Why do people buy the medicines if they know it is made out of tigers?

Year 2 also have an election week where the children create their own political parties and choose the issues they think are important in creating a good and safe place to live. The children write a manifesto, write a campaign leaflet and record a party political broadcast. A representative from each party then debates their ideas at a hustings and on the last day the children have a vote. The winning party gets to share their ideas with the head teacher to see if we can act on any of them. There is the potential here to make links to places that are struggling for the right to vote.

A display of the children’s political leaflets and manifestos

The children receiving their voting papers and

having their names crossed off

The children taking part in a

secret ballot

Creative and critical thinking

Y4 child’s work showing the application of issues learned in their Rainforest project to the local issue of the school’s wildlife area.

Y2 work showing the ability to think about geographical dilemmas from different points of view.

Positive reason for a

supermarket such as more

jobs

Negative reasons such as

lots of traffic

An example of how the global dimension comes into our philosophy lessons. In one particularly memorable discussion children in Year 6 discussed the rights of children using a picture of a child solider as a stimulus. All children from Reception to Year 6 have regular philosophy lessons.

Philosophy for children

Image of child soldier

Who is responsible for the deaths of the workers? Key elements of our best lessons: global learning, enquiry, literacy, use of imagery, analysis and evaluation.

Rana Plaza mystery

Rana Plaza mystery cards

Rana Plaza who is to blame? Year 9

Rana Plaza who is to blame?

A reading log was created through a TLDW undertaken by a member of the department in order to encourage A-level students to read around the subject, used with great success for both Year 12 and 13. One student each week reads an article of their choosing about the topics we are studying and presents this to the class.