YEAR 12 AS LEVEL GEOGRAPHY
AQA SPECIFICATION
COURSE INDUCTION HANDBOOK
Geography is not just a subject but part of our
everyday lives.
It is not only an important and fascinating subject but it also develops a wide range of skills
that support other subjects and are valued by employers.
These skills include for example: data presentation, analysis, literacy, numeracy,
independence and teamwork (through fieldwork), problem solving and evaluation.
Success at A level Geography
How to be successful at A-level Geography:
Step 1: Organisation of your notes and hand-outs
You will need to buy a sturdy arch lever file and a set of plastic wallets.
All the hand outs you receive from both your Geography teachers should be dated and labelled as to which
part of the A level they are relevant to.
The folders will be inspected on a regular basis.
Step 2: Further reading
It is important that you make additional notes to those made in class by doing further reading using both
recommended textbooks, additional books from the library but also newspapers and magazines that cover
stories about the geography you study.
Step 3: Carrying out additional research
It is crucial that you research the topics that you are studying by using the internet to look at related sites
and make notes from. BBC News website is a great starting point to find the latest on events we are
learning about but also to look at other events that are different to those learnt about in class. This is VERY
important to mark out your answers in the exam as being different to those with just the standard text
book information.
Step 4: Meeting Deadlines
It is essential that you hand Independent Learning tasks in on time. Failure to hand ILs in on time will result
in your Geography teacher contacting your achievement tutor, contacting home and possible being placed
Back on track.
Step 5: Attendance
It is essential that you have good attendance to lessons. If you miss any lessons it is your responsibility that
you catch up on any notes that are missed – this is VERY important.
How to get the most from Geography lessons
Geography lessons should be an enjoyable experience and below are a few points which explain how to get
the most out of lessons.
Remember: Lessons provide you with a valuable insight into the subject besides just reading the textbook.
They can provide new information and help to clarify your understanding.
Preparing for lessons
Know your course: Find out how your lessons relate to the unit you are completing and the course as a
whole. Look in your unit handbook, exam board website or wider research for more information or ask
your tutor.
Reading before a lesson: When the lessons are linked in a series, you should review your notes from the
previous lesson.
Taking notes: Make sure your notes are complete but try to avoid taking too many detailed notes or just
copying straight from your textbook. The following techniques will help you make structured, useful notes.
Using structure in your notes: Use headings to order information. Highlight examples and illustrations.
Using your own words: Putting each point in your own words will help you understand and recall the
lesson content.
Using fewer words: Reduce the number of words you use in taking notes: detailed notes are of little use in
remembering facts and ideas.
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Use keywords to represent points or ideas briefly.
Add brief details of any examples or evidence that support a point.
Using hand-outs: Teachers use hand-outs to help you follow the lesson and to highlight
important information. You can maximise the benefits of hand-outs by adding your own
comments.
Highlight keywords.
Add colour to categorise information.
Add notes in the margin.
Organising your notes: A4 paper stored in a ring binder with dividers is the most practical system for
organising notes. Begin each lesson with a clear heading, date etc Number the pages clearly so they can be
easily kept in order later on.
Following up lessons: Don't be afraid to ask your Geography teacher for clarification either in the lesson or
afterwards. Review your notes as soon as possible after a lesson. Make the most of your review by:
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highlighting points which seem particularly important or central;
adding any details which you can remember from the lesson;
adding questions to highlight areas you don't understand or need further information on.
Overcoming problems
Failing concentration: You are much less likely to find your concentration straying when you use an active
approach to note taking. Putting points into your own words, using space, colour and image, will make
note taking a busy but interesting activity.
Being left behind: You may find that the information is being delivered too fast for you to write down. If
points pass you by, then leave a space and compare your notes with another student's. Doing some
background reading for the lesson will help you to keep up as the information will not be entirely
unfamiliar to you.
Most importantly.....
Engage in the lesson: You must play a full and active part in the lesson, whether it is through contributing
answers or working in pairs or groups. You need to be responsible for ensuring that you complete the tasks
set, especially when you are given independence to do so. By being engaged you are helping go over your
learning which means you will commit it to memory better.
Exam Board: AQA Specification
At AS, all candidates will study human and physical geography.
In each area of study candidates will consider the values and attitudes to the issues being studied and
support their learning of ideas through the study of case studies.
Candidates will also develop a variety of geographical skills, which broaden and deepen existing knowledge
and be employed with a greater degree of independence.
The AS specification has 2 units:
Unit 1: Physical and Human Geography
Topic list
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Rivers, floods and management
Coastal environment
Population change
Health issues.
Unit 2: Geographical Skills
Topic list
 Basic, investigative, ICT, graphical,
cartographical and statistical skills
 Research skills and the assessment of AS
fieldwork
Assessment
Assessment
Externally assessed
Written Paper 2 hours
Weighting:
70% of total AS / 35% A Level marks
Structured short and extended questions.
Externally assessed
Written Paper 1 hour
Weighting:
30% of total AS / 15% A Level marks
Geography Fieldwork:
Where Geography comes to life!
The year 12 students do two evenings and two days of fieldwork in February. This is a residential visit to
the Cranedale fieldstudy centre in North Yorkshire
One full day of the residential focusses on the Rivers topic with the second looking at the Coastal
environment of East Yorkshire. Both days bring to life the work done inside the classroom and always have
excellent levels of feedback from students. There is a charge related to the fieldwork which will be
identified early on in the Autumn term.
The fieldwork relates to the Geographical skills exam.
Y12 TRANSITION/INDUCTION
ACTIVITY –
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
One of the key skills that you will need to develop
through AS level Geography is the ability to read
articles and texts from various sources, such as
newspapers, the internet and magazines.
You will need to be able to make notes on these as well as comprehend (understand) what
it is about.
This task helps you get practice on looking at things that may be unfamiliar to you – but on
a topic that is covered in the first Population Change topic.
TASKS:
1. Read the article on Internal migration in the UK
2. Make notes on this article (think about how you can do this without copying out large
chunks of text)
3. Look at the Response section – answer the 7 questions in the Assimilation section –
your answers must be in full written answers
4. Use the article, but also use your own research (news websites are a good starting
point) to see if you can find answers to Q2 of the Evaluation section ‘What are the
costs and benefits of retirement migration?’
5. Look at the Pause for thought section – the second bullet point asks about Migration
in the UK for 16-24 year olds – answer this question based upon what you think and
believe. Make sure that you give reasons why you think this – remember there are no
definitive right answers – if your reasons are fair and justified then they will be
appropriate.
Y12 TRANSITION/INDUCTION ACTIVITY –
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
One of the key skills that you will need to develop through AS level Geography is the ability
to research real life case studies and modern management techniques.
TASKS:
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List 5 floods in the past 15 years that have had the largest economic impact on the
UK.
Locate the 5 ‘most likely’ flood regions of the UK.
Gain 2 quotes from the insurance businesses and 2 quotes from flood victims with
regards to compensation after a flood. (Try BBC, SKY news websites)
Find 5 examples of flood management techniques.
Can you find an example of flooding in an LEDC. Identify 5 challenges that an LEDC
may face compared to an MEDC when trying to plan an appropriate response.