How to help your son / daughter revise in History
How the course examined? There are three History exams, all worth 25% of the overall marks so it is 75% exam.
Exam name
Unit 1: Peace and
International relations
1943-91
Date
16th May
length
1 hour 15
minutes
marks
60
Unit 2: Germany 191839
23rd May
1 hour 15
minutes
54 (including
4 marks for
SPaG)
Unit 3: The USA a
divided union? 194570
2nd June
1 hour 15
minutes
57 (including
7 marks for
SPaG)
topics
Section 4: How did the Cold War develop?
1943–56
Section 5: Three Cold War crises: Berlin,
Cuba and Czechoslovakia c1957–69
Section 6: Why did the Cold War end? The
invasion of Afghanistan (1979) to the
collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)
Key Topic 1: The Weimar Republic 1918–33
Key Topic 2: Hitler and the growth of the
Nazi Party 1918–33
Key Topic 3: The Nazi dictatorship 1933–39
Key Topic 4: Nazi domestic policies 1933–39
Key Topic 1: McCarthyism and the Red
Scare
Key Topic 2: The civil rights movement
1945–62
Key Topic 3: Changes in the civil rights
movement 1963–70
Key Topic 4: Other protest movements in
the 1960s
Useful Revision strategies:
-
-
History is not offering explicit revision sessions for content as experience has shown that students regard
these sessions as having ‘done’ their History content from just turning up. All History staff will be marking any
extra exam questions that students complete from now until the exams. We would suggest that students had
in ‘little and often’ so they can make small steps of progress.
Past paper questions set by teacher each week all need to be completed and marked based on the targets set
from the last question done of this type so students make progress on specific personal target areas.
Use the exam guides on the learning gateway (location below) to give explicit question advice, structure and
starter sentences.
Use key cards and mind maps to revise. Condense each topic area into keywords to revise.
Use the revision work guides to complete the fill in the blanks for each topic areas.
Revise key terms – These are all in the revision booklets.
Use the tick sheets at the beginning of each topic in the revision booklet and given out throughout the course
which lists everything that needs to be learnt for the topic. (These are on the shared area below).
Timelines are always an important element in History revision – not only creating them but testing yourself
on them. Keeping them thin on detail makes them more readable and clear. Picture timelines are sometimes
helpful for many students.
Location of past papers and all revision resources: On learning gateway: Subjects—Humanities--History –GCSE
courses –(on right hand side of page “History GCSE revision resources” has folders with all three Units with tasks and
past papers).
Revision booklets: Use the three revision booklets on the learning gateway which allow you to fill in the blanks for
each topic. This is on the learning gateway in the same place as the past papers. Edexcel revision guide ISBN is
9781446905128. This guide covers all the topics and others so please get students to speak to their teacher if unsure
of which sections to cover.
A/A*: Use the exam guides on the learning gateway for each Unit to learn the requirements for each exam question.
Hitting the top marks in each question requires very specific things for example having linked paragraphs and
prioritised factors in conclusions.
How to help your son/daughter revise GCSE Business Studies
GCSE Business Studies – Edexcel Exam Board
Students have already completed Unit 2 – The controlled assessment worth 25% of the final grade.
Students will be sitting 2 exams this summer as detailed below:
Exam
Unit 1 –
Introduction to
Small Business
Unit 3 –
Building a
Business
Date
Wednesday
21st May 2014
(AM)
Monday
2nd June 2014
(AM)
Length Style of questions
45 mins 20 multiple-choice styled
questions worth 40 marks in total
% of grade
Worth 25% of final
GCSE grade
90 mins Mainly short-styled questions
worth either 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 or 10
marks each and 90 marks in total
Worth 50% of final
GCSE grade
Resources/Publications available for students
•
•
•
Students have been issued with textbooks covering both Unit 1 & 3 for home use.
Edexcel Revision Guide (ISBN 9781446903735) & Workbook (ISBN 9781446903766) - both available on parent pay or
Amazon. (Care – DO NOT REVISE ANY UNIT 5 MATERIAL)
Edexcel Exam Skills Practice GCSE Business Extend Student Workbook (ISBN 9781446900512) – very useful for students
to learn how to answer questions for Unit 3. (Care again – DO NOT REVISE ANY OF THE UNIT 5 MATERIAL WITH
ORANGE HEADING).
Resources available on the Gordano Learning Gateway
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To access GLG: Subjects/Social Science/Business Studies/GCSE Courses. There are 3 Main Areas:
1. Key Stage 4 – GCSE: This has power points/resources from the whole course
2. Unit 3 Year 11 Revision resources: This covers all the revision material for Unit 3
3. (scroll the page down to access) Unit 1 Revision Resources.
Within these sections are many useful topics including:
Past Exam Papers, Mark Schemes and Examiner’s Reports
Key Terms and definitions
How to Answer Exam Questions.
What You Need To Know for each chapter
Summary sheets on each chapter
Student Guide on How To Revise for the Business Studies Exams
•
This has been given out to students to help them get started. Ask them to show you it.
Revision Sessions
•
Have been running every Tuesday lunchtime in room BS2 since the start of the year.
Download the Unit 3 Revision App
•
Details of the link is in the Unit 3 Revision section of the GLG
If you require any further information then please contact Gary Williams, Head of Business at gwilliams@gordano.nsomerset.sch.uk
How to help your son / daughter revise in Psychology
How the course examined?
There are two psychology exams, both worth 50% of the overall marks so it is 100% exam.
Exam name
Unit 1 41801:
Making sense
of other
people
Date
3rd
June
length
1 hour
30
minutes
marks
80
Unit 2: 41802: 10th
Understanding June
other people
1 hour
30
minutes
80
topics
1,Non-verbal communication
2,Memory
3, Personality
4, Research methods 1
5, Stereotyping
1, learning
2, Sex and gender
3, Social influence
4, Research methods 2
5, Aggression
Style of questioning
-Short questions
-Multiple choice
-Continuous prose questions (6 marks)
-Implications and applications
- Short questions
-Multiple choice
-Continuous prose questions (6 marks)
-Applications of psychology
Useful Revision strategies:
-
-
Use key cards and mind maps to revise. Condense each study/ theory and revise 2 evaluation points
Use the “key studies” chart given to all students to revise each study with two evaluation points. There is one
for the UNIT 1 studies and one for the UNIT 2 studies. This is also on the learning gateway (see below for
instructions on location)
Evaluation points: Need to be related back to the actual study or theory not general so revise specific ones for
each study/ theory.
Past paper questions set by teacher each week all need to be completed and marked using the mark scheme
(12 sets of past paper questions)
Revise key terms – These are all in the revision booklet
Use the tick sheets at the beginning of each topic in the revision booklet and given out throughout the course
which lists everything that needs to be learnt for the topic.
Ways studies can be condensed and revised: Condensed with key words and picture.
Original key study in revision booklet
Milgram (1963): Obedience – following orders of someone seen as in
authority
Aim: To investigate how far people would go in obeying orders from
someone else.
Method: Participants were assigned to be either the teacher or the
learner. The Psychologist rigged it so that the real participant was
always the teacher and a confederate was always the learner. The
participant was led into a room where there was an electric shock
machine. The psychologist instructed them to give electric shocks if
questions were answered wrong
Results: 65% shocked to 450 volts. 3 participants had seizures and
several did not want to continue.
Conclusion: The study shows how normal everyday people are
obedient. .
Evaluation:
-Only male participants from America – doesn’t apply to female
behaviour
-Unethical – Deception, protection of participants, right to withdraw all
gone against
Key card with key words for each section condensed
Milgram: Obedience – following orders of authority
Aim: Investigated how far people go
Method: Gave electric shocks to people to see how far they would go.
Learner and teacher. Not real. Questions asked and shocked
Results: 65% of participants shocked to 450 volts
Conclusion: Shows normal people obedience
Evaluation: Only male, America, unethical stressed.
Location of past papers and all revision resources: On learning gateway: Subjects-- Social science--Psychology -GCSE Courses –(on right hand side of page “Psychological GCSE revision resources”
Revision booklets: Use the two revision booklets on the learning gateway. This is on the learning gateway in the same
place as the past papers. There are no effective revision guides for GCSE Psychology you can buy and no
recommended website revision pages.
A/A*: implications and applications on unit 1 and implications on unit2 are there to create the A* grade. There is a
“stretch and challenge and aspire” section on the learning gateway- follow instructions above for location.
3rd Feb
GCSE ART EXAM GUIDE 40% of the grade
1. Mind Map with question in the middle and images
10th Feb
HALF
TERM
WEEK
2. AO1 – 2 or 3 ARTIST CRITICAL STUDIES
For each artist research/study, provide visual reference, text, analysis
of style, opinion and inspiration
Completed by 03/03/2014
24th FEB
3rd
March
10th March
17th
March
24th March
3. AO3 - OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES
Complete detailed tone pencil drawings and colour observations in a
variety of media. One must be a pencil.
12 photographs of subject matter original and edited
Completed by the 17/03/2014
4. A02 - IDEA DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
1. Initial ideas on A3 sheet black & white sketches
2. First Idea on A4 explore media & annotate
3. Second Idea on A4 explore media & annotate
Completed by the 24/03/2014
4. Refine best idea on A3 with different colour options, scan images
and manipulate in the computer.
Completed by the 31/03/2014
ALL WORK MUST BE MOUNTED BEFORE EXAM
31st March
EASTER
HOLIDAY
ART EXAM
23TH & 24TH
APRIL
5. A04 - FINAL PIECE
This will be completed in the 10 hour exam. You may decide to work
on paper, canvas, card or in 3D materials.
6. Evaluation Complete a written evaluation of your outcome
from start to finish. Explain what, how and why?
Order of completion of A03 + A02 is at teacher’s discretion
DEADLINE 25TH APRIL 2014
3rd Feb
10th Feb
HALF
TERM
WEEK
24th FEB
3rd
March
10th March
17th
March
24th March
31st March
GCSE PHOTOGRAPHY EXAM GUIDE
40% of the grade
1. Mind Map with question in the middle and images, ideas, subject
matter
2. AO1 – 2 or 3 ARTIST CRITICAL STUDIES
For each artist research/study, provide visual reference, text,
analysis of style, opinion and inspiration with personal responses
(own version) use terminology. Aid is in subject area GCSE and
revision
Completed by 03/03/2014
3. AO3 – 2 PHOTO SHOOTS
Take 2 different photo shoots of subject matter; print all contact
sheets, with ticks and crosses
Enlarge best originals and edit for possible ideas of development
Completed by the 17/03/2014
4. A02 - IDEA DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
1. Initial ideas with selected photographs
2. First idea, explore techniques, effects & annotate
3. Second Idea, explore presentation ideas (montage, series, etc...)
& annotate.
Completed by the 31/03/2014
At this stage you might need another artist to link with your final
piece.
4. Refine best idea and annotate your intentions
Completed by the 24/04/2014
ALL WORK MUST BE MOUNTED BEFORE EXAM
EASTER
HOLIDAY
Photography
EXAM
28TH & 29TH
APRIL
5. A04 - FINAL PIECE
This will be completed in the 10 hour exam. You may decide to bring
your photographs printed on special paper and work on the
presentation or edit and print in school and create your final
outcome during the exam.
6. Evaluation Complete a written evaluation of your
Photography project from start to finish. Explain what, how and
why? Add a small photo of your final piece.
DEADLINE 30TH APRIL 2014
How to help your son/daughter revise for PE
Key Dates:
Tuesday 24th March
Practical Moderation
Day
Friday 16th May
Final Theory Exam
Assessment:
Circuits Performer
Netball Performer
Netball Officiator
Includes:
All units 1-10
Scenario
Useful Revision Resources:
Unit Work Folders
Create mind maps and flash cards for each unit – aim to reduce this work from A3 paper
through to topic top 5 key words.
Use the unit tracker within the scenario to focus on key topics areas to narrow scenario
revision.
Revision Folders
Use the Exam Pro questions to recap and practice answering questions.
Complete any missing questions from the workbook that haven’t been attempted.
Use the mark schemes to help note key points for answers with buzz key words.
Student Share Area on GLG:
Use the following to help support the processes above.
Past revision questions/ mark schemes
Previous Powerpoints from lessons.
Exam Pro Question booklets and mark schemes.
Revision guides.
D-C Students:
Use the question and answer bank of quick fire questions to help develop knowledge.
Create a key word bank of scenario words.
B-A* Students:
Use the mark schemes to help formulate ‘perfect’ answers, working out where previous
marks have been missed from
Start to create possible scenario questions and answers based on the scenario information
pack.
How to help your daughter revise in Health and Social Care
How the course is examined?
There is one Health and Social Care exam in year 11. As this is a double award this mark will go together with the
mark for the coursework completed in year 11, as well as the results gained for the exam and coursework completed
in year 10 to give the double GCSE result. This will be two consecutive grades which will count as two separate
GCSE’s, for example BC or AB.
The exam is very late in the series so it is very important that the girls stay focussed and are continuing to work
hard right up until the exam date.
Exam name
Unit 4
Date
24th
June
Length
1 hour 15
minutes
Marks
70
20% of
the
double
award
total
Topics
Style of questioning
Care needs of the major client
Three compulsory questions based
groups
on case studies and short scenarios
Care values used in practitioner work
Self-concept and personal
relationships
Promoting and supporting health
improvement
The unit is a review of topics previously covered in the course which are taken further and applied for this exam.
Useful Revision Strategies:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use the unit specification which lists everything that needs to be learnt for the exam
Remember – the unit covers and builds on work done previously in units 1,2 and 3 so revise work done
previously on the topics listed above
Look at past papers and mark schemes on the Gateway
Use the textbook which summarises everything you need to know
Find your old books and resources on the computers and revise the relevant work
Make your own revision resources – mind maps, tables, diagrams and colours
Make sure you are completing all homework tasks set – we will do lots of practice questions and case
studies that will help you in your preparation
Location of past papers and all revision resources: On learning gateway: Subjects-- Social science—Health and Social
Care--GCSE revision
There is no revision guide available for Health and Social Care so using the textbook, class revision resources and
previous work completed in the units will be very important.
A/A*: there will be exercise and tasks on the Gateway but the aspects are:
•
•
•
Applying your knowledge not just explaining it
Analysing and evaluating material given, thinking about strengths and weaknesses
You need to be able to come to your own conclusions about information and justify your responses.
How to help your son / daughter revise in Music
How the course examined?
There is one Music exam, worth 20% of the overall marks.
Exam
name
Unit 1
42701
Listening
to and
Appraising
Music
Date
Length Marks Areas of Study
Mon
2nd
June
(am)
1 hour
80
•
•
•
•
•
Texture and Melody
Rhythm and Metre
Harmony and Tonality
Structure and Form
Timbre and Dynamics
Strands
•
•
•
Western Classical Tradition
World Music
Popular Music
Useful Revision strategies:
-
-
Use cards, mind maps to revise
Go through each of the strands and make a list of the topics
Listen to a good range of different styles of music – BBC Radio offers a wide variety for free! Try
Radio 3 for classical music (they also have a regular jazz feature on a Saturday, and world
music/folk have featured programmes), Radio 2 for rock/pop, easy listening and a range of
specialist programmes, Radio 1 for current music, the Asian Network for a good variety of modern
Indian music. BBC4 television often broadcasts programmes about particular styles of music and
individual composers and musicians
Revise key terms – these are on the revision section on the learning gateway and also in the
glossary in your music book
Useful Websites for GCSE Music:
http://www.aqa.org.uk – The AQA website, with full course details.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/learning/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/resources/learnlisteningonline/index.asp - Scottish education system,
but still useful
http://www.classical.net/ - Very detailed, but has some useful resources
http://www.rpfuller.com/gcse/music/index.html - General GCSE level notes
http://www.hypermusic.ca/index.html - Very easy to use
http://www.soundjunction.org/aqagcsemusicresources.aspa - written for the previous specification, but
still useful
http://spotify.com – great way to listen to a huge variety of different music
http://www.good-ear.com – useful listening exercises of the more technical variety, including cadences,
intervals, dictation etc
http://www.philharmonia.co.uk – sound exchange has dictation, examples of instruments and a range of
general information
Location of revision resources: On learning gateway: Subjects – Creative Arts – Music - GCSE Courses –
Year 11 - Revision
Revision guides: As the exam is based entirely on listening skills, the most effective revision is to ensure
a good working knowledge of all the key terms and to listen regularly to a range of different music.
However, it may also be useful to invest in a revision guide – the best one available is the AQA GCSE Music
Revision Guide by Alan Charlton, published by Rhinegold Education
How to help your son / daughter revise in Computing
How the course examined?
There is one exam in computing that is worth 40% of the final grade, the other 60% are based on the controlled
assessments already completed.
Exam name
A451:
Computer
Systems and
Programming
Date
12th
June
length
1 hour
30
minutes
marks topics
80
Computer systems, Computer
Hardware, Software, Binary
Logic, Representing Data in
Computer Systems, Databases,
Communication Technologies,
Programming
Style of questioning
-Short questions (1-2 marks)
-Continuous prose questions (6 – 9
marks)
-Write program code - Algorithm
Useful Revision strategies:
-
-
Use key cards and mind maps to revise. Condense each topic (see below)
Make up phrases – Have a BIT of Cake, Have a NIBBLE, then have a BYTE.
Practise Binary / hexadecimal/ Denary calculations and conversions. Draw the table out.
Past Paper/Practise questions set each week to be completed and marked using marks scheme
Revise Key Terms
Flow Chart and Algorithms - Practise creating them ( How you decide what to eat for breakfast, How to
decide what to wear depending on day and weather, how a chip in matched to a pin on a credit card, how to
work out the size of glass for a window)
Look at real world examples of where YOU use concepts/ideas ( Database – school system of all your details,
doctor with patient details, Networks – School WAN where a STAR is used in each room, how is a word that is
typed turned into binary)
Ways topics can be condensed and revised: Condensed with key words and picture.
Networks
Client Server: Computers connect to a server
Peer-to-Peer: All machines are equal
LAN: Small size (LOCAL)
WAN: Large scale area
Topology 1: BUS:
Hardware: server
Advantages: Very cheap,
as it requires a minimal
amount of cabling
Easy to add or remove
computers
Disadvantages cause
failure of the network
The network can be
significantly slowed by high
network traffic
Topology 2: STAR:
Hardware: Server, switch
Advantages: If one cable
fails, only the device
attached to it is isolated
from the network
Faults are easy to find
It is easy to add extra
devices
The system is secure, as
data is only sent to devices
that need that data
Disadvantages:
Lots of cable, which means
more expensive to install
than other topologies
Topology 3: RING:
Hardware: server
Advantages: No
collisions, as there is
typically only one batch of
data allowed on the
network at any one time
Very high rates of
transmission are possible
Disadvantages:
Failure of a single cable
can bring down the entire
network
Failure of a single device
can bring down the entire
network
Security is not ensured, as
data passes through other
devices en route to its final
destination
Anything else that will help me:
IP address: unique number assigned to a device, 4 sections
each between 0 -255
MAC address: unique, is hard-wired into a device 12 digit hex
Packets/Switches: Data is sent in small packets – packets
DO NOT go the same route
Revision booklets: Students have been provided with two revision guides on the GLG in lessons to use.
How to help your son / daughter revise in Sociology
How the course is examined?
There are two Sociology exams, both worth 50% of the overall marks. The course is 100% exam.
Exam name
Unit 1
Date
14th
May
Unit 2
19th
May
length
1 hour
30
minutes
1 hour
30
minutes
marks
90
90
topics
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Studying Society
Family
Education
Crime and Deviance
Media
Social Inequality
Style of questioning
-Short questions
-Choice of 12 mark essay
-Short questions
-Choice of 12 mark essay
Useful Revision strategies:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use key cards and mind maps to revise
Practise writing mini essay plans
Past paper questions are all available on the Learning Gateway
Revise key terms – These are all in the revision checklists/revision guide
Use the tick sheets at the beginning of each topic the course which lists everything that needs to be
learnt for the topic
Remember that 12 mark essays must answer ‘How far’ include this in your revision
Use pictures, colour, diagrams where possible
Location of past papers and all revision resources: On learning gateway: Subjects-- Social science--Sociology--GCSE
Courses
Revision Guide
Available from Amazon.
A/A*
Make sure you are keeping up with news and current affairs by reading newspapers and websites and
watching/listening to the news. For example:
•
•
•
•
•
Free schools
Official crime statistics
Welfare reform
Immigration policy
Poverty and unemployment stories
How to help your son/daughter revise in Design & Technology
How is the course examined?
There are 2 elements to the course; Controlled assessment worth 60% and the final exam worth 40%. The deadline
for Controlled Assessment was 14th February so the focus in all lessons now is on preparing for the final exam in
May/June.
Exam name
GCSE Hospitality and Catering
GCSE Electronic Products
GCSE Graphic Products
GCSE Product Design
GCSE Resistant Materials
GCSE Textiles Products
Date
Wed 4th
June
09.00
Fri 23rd
May
13.30
Wed
11th Jun
13.30
Fri 13th
Jun
13.30
Tue 10th
Jun
09.00
Fri 23rd
May
13.30
length
1 Hour 15
mins
marks
80
Style of questioning
Short answer questions mixed with others which
require longer, more descriptive answers.
2 Hours
120
2 Hours
120
2 Hours
120
2 Hours
120
2 Hours
120
Design question in Section A. Short answer
questions mixed with others which require longer,
more descriptive answers in Section B.
Design question in Section A. Short answer
questions mixed with others which require longer,
more descriptive answers in Section B.
Design question in Section A. Short answer
questions mixed with others which require longer,
more descriptive answers in Section B.
Design question in Section A. Short answer
questions mixed with others which require longer,
more descriptive answers in Section B.
Design question in Section A. Short answer
questions mixed with others which require longer,
more descriptive answers in Section B.
N.B. on all of the D&T papers you are expected to spend roughly 1 minute per mark. In your revision sessions try to
remember this when practising your sketching and designing.
Useful Revision strategies:
-
Download revision cards from the Learning Gateway
Use key cards and mind maps to revise.
Read the pre-release material and practise sketching ideas based on the design context. The design question
at the start of the exam is worth
Break the subject down into appropriate sections and tackle each section one at a time.
Always ensure you can explain about material properties as well as material uses.
Past paper questions set by teacher each week must be completed on time in order to make the most of the
exercise.
Practise past paper questions from the AQA website, and submit them to your teacher once you have marked
them yourself using the mark scheme.
Use SAM learning, GCSE Pod and BBC Bitesize and BBC Learning Zone Clips;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/ to go through audio and visual information.
Location of past papers and all revision resources: On Learning Gateway: Subjects—DT – Relevant D&T subject GCSE Courses –(on right hand side of page “Revision Resources”
Revision Guides: Every student should hopefully have purchased a revision guide for the D&T subject(s) they are
studying. These will be referred to in lessons but should also be used individually by students when revising. They
include typical exam style questions and activities to go through as well as the complete content of the subject
specification. In addition, most subjects have a revision guide which teachers have prepared and which is available on
the Learning Gateway.
A/A*: there is an Aspire session on 7th March for students who are aiming for the highest grades and resources used
in that session will also be available on the Learning Gateway.
How to help your son / daughter revise in GCSE Dance
How is the course examined? There are two remaining dance exams, equating to 80% of the course remaining to complete.
Exam name
Unit 3 - group
performance
(20%) and
Unit 4 choreography
(25%)
Date
20th
March
length
Practical
exam (off
timetable
most of
the day)
marks
Unit 3
= 30
Unit 4b
= 40
Content
1, performance in a trio.
2, solo/duo or group choreography
Unit 1 - critical
appreciation
of dance(20%)
4th
June
Written
exam –
1 hour
50
1, Ghost Dances
2, Nutcracker!
3, action, space, dynamics, relationships
4, physical/aural setting/costume
5, dance terminology
6, analysis, description, evaluation, interpretation
7, ability to reflect on own work
Style of the exam
This is a practical moderation - students will be performing live to a visiting
moderator who will mark at the same time as their teacher to ensure that
marks are at the right standard. Students will only be given one chance to
perform. If students have agreed to be in others choreographies then they
will perform these as well. A piece of choreography has already been
completed in year 10 – this will be shown to the examiner by video
recording.
- Mixture of short and long questions.
-Continuous prose questions (up to 10 marks)
- Knowledge of basic dance principles will be tested
- choreographic processes, rehearsals, performance skills, technical skills
- The two professional works (Ghost Dance and Nutcracker!) will be the
foundation of most of the questions – their knowledge of all features of
the work may be examined.
Useful revision strategies (UNIT 1):
-
Use key cards and mind maps to revise.
Link the learning in practical sessions to their written understanding – students can often practise the correct techniques and forget that they know them in the written
paper! Useful phrases could be ‘how would you choreograph that in class?’ ‘what was effective about that performance?’
Use the revision booklet (provided paper copy to students before the mock exams in December)
Sign up to ‘mark up’ an online revision tool – letters to be sent out to parents (cost of no more than £10 if all students sign up through the school) students have access
to one question per day (for 3 weeks leading up to the exam) which they electronically answer and email back – the examiner will then email them with detailed and
individual feedback on their answer stating where marks have been awarded/lost. Their teacher will also receive the feedback.
Location of revision resources: On learning gateway: Subjects—Creative Arts—Dance --GCSE Courses – (on right hand side of page “GCSE Dance revision resources”
A/A*: should be using the extended use of vocabulary in the revision booklet/exemplar, A/A* pieces of work available through Miss Lloyd in lessons/revision sessions.
UNIT 3 and 4: ALL students will need to rehearse as much as possible in the few weeks leading up to the exam, they are responsible for organising their music (should it need
editing) and must be handed in by 8th March. They may also need to find/create costumes for their performances/choreographies. All students are expected to perform their
dance in the annual Dance Showcase 13th March – this provides an excellent practise ONE week before their practical moderation.
Revision sessions: ‘drop in’ sessions are now available on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes (1-1.30pm in DR2) it is expected that students will come to as many as possible.
How to help your son / daughter revise in Geography
How the course examined? There are three Geography exams, all worth 25% of the overall marks so
it is 75% exam.
Revision Sessions 2014 – Wednesday 3.30pm-4.15pm
Unit 1: Dynamic Planet – 1hr 15 min exam
•
Restless Earth, Changing Climate, Battle for the Biosphere, Water World, River Processes and
Pressures, Extreme Environments
Unit 2: People and Their Planet – 1hr 15 min exam
•
Population Dynamics, Consuming Resources, Globalisation, Development Dilemmas, Changing
Settlements in the UK, The Challenges of an Urban World
Unit 3 – Making Geographical Decisions - 1 hr 30 exam.
Involves responding to questions on a resource booklet provided in the exam on an unseen issue.
Useful Revision strategies:
• Geography is offering explicit revision sessions for content. These all happen in H10 on
Wednesday afternoons after school from 15:20 to 16:30. These are brilliant for a quick
recapitulation of content and then some exam practice. We would strongly recommend attendance at these as bits of the course changed in 2012 and the updates are
integrated into the revision sessions. I am sure that it goes without saying that these need to be part of a wider revision strategy for students and not the only revision
they complete for Geography.
• All Geography staff will be marking any extra exam questions that students complete from now until the exams. We would suggest that students had in ‘little and often’
so they can make small steps of progress.
• Past paper questions set by teacher each week all need to be completed and marked based on the targets set from the last question done of this type so students make
progress on specific personal target areas.
• Use key cards and mind maps to revise. Only use mind maps with questions as the focus NOT topics (like rivers) as the exam is about application and not recall.
• Use the revision work guides to complete and fill in the blanks for each topic areas.
• Revise key terms – These are all in the revision booklets and on our Talmos page.
• Structure is an important element in Geography exam questions – students need to be really clear on how to write ideas in a structured way (eg intro, main and
conclusions) for any question over 6 marks. Practice of this style of writing is also important.
Location of past papers and all revision resources: On learning gateway: Subjects—Humanities--Geography–GCSE courses - Once on here you have all the units and all the
relevant information (including past papers, mark schemes, case study cards and key word lists)
Revision booklets: Use the revision booklets available to buy on parentpay which allows you to fill in the blanks for each topic. Edexcel revision guide ISBN is “My revision notes
Edexcel B GCSE Geography ISBN 9781444193930”. Please note that this guide covers all the topics and others so please get students to speak to their teacher if unsure of
which sections to cover.
A/A*: Use the exam guides on the learning gateway for each Unit to learn the requirements for each exam question. Hitting the top marks in each question requires very
specific things for example having linked paragraphs and applying case studies even when not asked for in the exam.