GEO:Screen - Teaching through Geographical Documentaries

for KS3 and GCSE Geography geoscreen-image

Motivate your students with a passion for global geographical issues and encourage a high uptake of geography at GCSE and beyond. The GEO:Screen resource series teaches a wide range of geographical skills through the screening (and analysis) of a geographical documentary.

Each resource includes:

  • A preparation lesson outlining the fundamentals of the topic.
  • A structured screening using a timed question grid to get students thinking critically as they watch the film.
  • Follow-on lessons to think beyond the documentary and really get to know the issue at stake!

Excellent as a KS3 resource, with a foundation for some KS4 concepts. [on Population] C. Cottam, HoD & Independent Reviewer

  • Great for KS3 – GCSE
  • Suitable for every specification
  • Flexible structure (3–6 lessons, optional homework, and option for flipped classroom!)

Targets specification focussed geographical key skills helping all students to…

  • understand and interpret bias.
  • research and analyse using primary and secondary sources.
  • use enquiry, analytical thought, critical appraisal, and balanced argument.
  • make well-evidenced and informed decisions about geographical themes and global issues.

POPULATION
For Don’t Panic: The Facts About Population (2013)
Explores how the world’s population has changed over time and the projected changes for the future. Hans Rosling (Gapminder Foundation) uses statistics in an innovative way to demonstrate that although future population change present challenges we can be hopeful that we’ll cope with these challenges.

CLIMATE CHANGE
For Before the Flood (2016)
A look at how climate change affects our environment and what society can do to prevent the demise of endangered species, ecosystems and native communities across the planet. From melting glaciers, to rainforest deforestation Leonardo DiCaprio examines the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

What do teachers say about this resource? (9435)

I like the concept and this is certainly an excellent video to use - with appeal across the full secondary age range. I particularly like the range and variety of classroom activities - great for geography, including graph drawing and interpretation, annotation, analysis, debate, writing and problem solving. I really like all the teachers notes for each of the lessons and for the screening lessons and the suggestions for prompts to stimulate discussion are really useful. It raises questions, getting students thinking and challenges commonly held views and opinions. It links with numeracy through graph interpretation and the use of statistics to draw conclusions about world development. It links with literacy through extended writing, question interpretation and comprehension of video source material. I love this concept!

J Fuller, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Accessible, good variety of tasks, user-friendly and teacher friendly.

C. Cottam, HoD & Peer Reviewer

I liked that the resource used dual coding and imagery to help develop the accessibility of the documentary. It has fleshed out some of the more simple knowledge based concepts.

L Green, HoD & Peer Reviewer

Very good because it helps students to understand the concepts of population ... in a simple yet comprehensive way, with the help of the screening. The resource created by the author is very thorough and helps the students to keep their concentration by answering questions as Rosling explains. It is really eye catching and memorable for students. It is very well thought out as the pauses marked on the resource give all students the chance to discuss in small groups or pairs and then write their own notes as an extension task.

C. Tarantino-Hind, Teacher & Peer Reviewer