Strengthening Teaching and Learning of Geological Changes - Classroom Materials

This is a complementary unit from the Department for Education to a suite of continuing professional development (CPD) units covering the five ‘key ideas’ at Key Stage Three (cells, interdependence, particles, forces and energy).

Context
This CPD unit offers background information and practical suggestions to support classroom practice when teaching about geological processes. Geological processes was identified by the Key Stage Three National Strategy team as an area requiring more support for many teachers and so this unit gives considerable detail within each session as well as including many handouts. The first session considers the sedimentary rock cycle as many of the processes are more familiar. The second session further develops the rock cycle to include igneous and metamorphic processes. Each session has good examples of practical work which model geological processes. The final session looks at science enquiry with the focus on enquiries other than fair tests.

Development
This CPD unit is designed to be delivered to teachers wishing to improve their teaching of geological processes. It can be delivered as a single day’s CPD or as three separate CPD sessions of 95 to 120 minutes. It is particularly useful for non-specialist teachers wishing to improve their subject knowledge and pedagogy. It is also useful for subject specialists to clarify their thinking about teaching geology.

Components
The materials consist of separate tutor notes, participants’ notes and a presentation. There are additional resources which support the unit which include colour images, task cards and answers to the tasks.
The three sessions are entitled:
• Session 1: The sedimentary rock cycle
• Session 2: Igneous and metamorphic processes in the rock cycle
• Session 3: The scientific enquiry of geological changes.