While finishing the KS3 curriculum, I decided to try something a bit different, which can be slipped into any part of the curriculum as the idea is that it's synoptic, decision making and sort of skills based. I also wanted to focus on literacy and the love of reading, as I read so much myself, I know that it can help students with their imagination, empathy and learning new vocabulary.
For this, I thought it might be a good idea to focus around GIS, by using ArcGIS storymap and one of my books, received as a birthday present (Gerald Durrell - the Aye-Aye and I). With this GIS software, you can create stories based around maps, but there's loads of other features that you can add to it, to make it more immersive. I have used every feature available within this, so you can see what it can offer you.
Gerald became the expedition leader for the story and the end goal is for the students to complete this expedition and then recreate a short GIS storymap about somewhere that means something to them. However, at the same time as exploring the GIS software and practicing skills, they also learn about a place that doesn't usually get much focus in the Africa scheme of work, as there's so many cultures, countries and languages that are usually a much larger focus.
Here is my attempt at re-creating Gerald Durrell's expedition to Madagascar, to find the Aye-Aye: Here
Hopefully it can be of use to some of you - after 4 solid days of research, creativity and frustration!
If not, just have a look and let me know what you think. All feedback is welcome - this is currently being completed by some students i'm helping (and beta reader Diane), to see what kind of support needs to be made in the form of a powerpoint to supplement this, so that will follow when the results come in.
Kind Regards,
Miss Cox
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