London 2012!

Good afternoon!

Its the end of the first week back after half term and everyone is tired!!!!! I must say thought that all my classes have been fab this week!

Yr 8 and 9 have both been studying the Olympics that are happening in 2012 in Stratford. I will be loading up power points and sheets later on today/over the weekend!

Homework for all year 8's and 9's taught by Miss Udy:
Write a 200 word news report for Newsround. How will the Olympics affect young people in Britain? You can use arguments for and against.

Have a look at:
http://getset.london2012.com
www.london2012.com ..... if you are getting stuck!!!!!!!

Year 9 have also been writing radio broadcasts imagining they are at the Olympic Opening ceremony! Some fantastic work!!!!!

We are using a scheme of work that was written by the Royal Geographical Society and the Geographical Association (http://www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk/ks3-resources/resource/london-2012/). Awesome schemes of work and interactive resources!!!!!!


Be back soon with more links and powerpoints etc!

Miss Udy

Teens capture images of space!

Teenagers armed with only a £56 camera and latex balloon have managed to take stunning pictures of space from 20-miles above Earth.

For more details click here!http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5005022/Teens-capture-images-of-space-with-56-camera-and-balloon.html

See what you can do with a little enthusiasm and time!!!!!!!!!

Miss Udy

REVISION

Good afternoon - third post of the day ..... you are lucky!

As year 11 are well aware (!) it is coming up to that time of year. I posted once before with some revision techniques..... here is a fabulous website that gives lots of good general advice

http://www.nwlg.org/pages/resources/knowitall/index.htm

During the holidays there are revision sessions being run by most subjects between the 6-9th April. Different subjects will be using different techniques but it's important to find ways you enjoy and like. We will give you different ideas to trial out - Geography will be including making up songs, (i did this at university and will never forget my community based management song!) mind maps, maps with colour coded information and bullet point cards!

I think most importantly try to find things you enjoy doing - revision is hard at the best of times and it is about finding a way that works for you!

Fingers crossed for you all, make sure you check out the link above!


Miss Udy

South Downs Park agreed!

Finally, nearly exactly 60 years after it was first suggested, the South Downs has been made into a National Park.

It will become England's 9th national park and covers part of Sussex and Hampshire.

It means that the area is going to have a high level of protection, and it means that the area (which is beautiful!) will be protected for ever so that future generations can visit the wonderful rolling chalk hills and views that I grew up with.

It will boost the local economy bringing in tourists and businesses to the area. There will be more economic help for landowners and farmers, along with policies to encourage jobs and affordable housing have been promised. There are lots of poeple who agree with it, lots of people who don't for various reasons.

It is going to cover 630 sq miles, and it already attractions millions of visitors a year to sites such as the Seven Sisters, Arundel and the Chalk Downland hills like Butser.

Among the important wildlife species that can be seen are Barbastelle and Bechtein Bats in the Westrern Weald, Rare woodland butterflies, in the rich areas of heathland we see Woodlarks and Dartford Warbler. Woolmer Forest is one of the few sites in Britain that is home to UK reptile species including the sand lizard and smooth snake. The tracts of chalk downland are home to important butterfly species and plants such as the musk orchid, rock rose, rild thyme, harebell, common-spotted orchid, early purple orchid and juniper.

I think it's great news, and having done research into this at university and at a-level I am very pleased it finally happend!

Miss Udy

Forest Fires burning in Nepal

The forest fires that burned unusually viciously in many of Nepal's national parks and conserved areas this dry season have left conservationists (people who look after the environment) worrying if climate change played a role.

In the Himalayan region, hardly anything could be done because of the difficult geography - i.e. relief of the land! Forest fires in Nepal's jungles and protected areas are not uncommon during the dry season between October and January.
Most of the fires come about as a consequence of the "slash and burn" practice that farmers employ for better vegetation and agricultural yields.

But this time the fires remained out of control even in the national parks in the Himalayan region where the slash and burn practice is uncommon.

In some of the protected areas, the fires flared up even after locals and officials tried to put them out for several days.

Winters have become drier and drier, so severe that pine trees in the Himalayan region are thoroughly dry even on the top, which means even a spark is enough to set them on fire. (When I was at summer camp in America we had a song for the pine trees - I'll try and find it!)

Some of the forest fires have stopped, some are still going. It has been the driest winter on record and who is to say what will happen. Keep your eyes peeled for news on global warming and climate change..... perhaps in lessons we can look in to whether or not events like hurricanes and tornadoes have happened more and if there is a link with global warming! (Like in the day after tomorrow!)

Miss Udy