Disciplinary Literacy

• Students are given extracts from a range of geographical texts and academic articles. Students are exposed to this throughout all key stages.
• Students are introduced to strategies that allow them to comprehend, analyse and evaluate a variety of geographical texts.
• All classrooms have a literacy display, with commonly used geographical vocabulary.

Targeted Vocabulary Instruction

• KS3 lessons regularly start with a Frayer model, introducing students to key geographical vocabulary.
• Students complete their own glossaries of the key vocabulary as it is introduced and write a definition for each in their topic booklets.

Reading Comprehension

• ‘Guided reading’ extracts are embedded throughout KS3 and KS4. Students will read, analyse and extract key information from texts. A series of comprehension questions will be answered and marked, checking for understanding.

Academic Talk

• ‘Chalk it and talk it’ activities are embedded throughout KS3. Students need to select the correct terminology to complete sentences. Students will then turn and talk to their peers to rehearse oracy skills and suggest alternative sentences.
• Students practice presenting information orally in front of the group when presenting their ideas on stereotypes.
• Students are encouraged to ‘say it better’ when giving answers, encouraging frequent use of key vocabulary.
• Teachers model and draw attention to key vocabulary when encountered in texts.

Scaffolded Writing Activities

• Extended writing tasks include sentence starters and scaffolding, this support is reduced as students move through the Key Stages
• Students are presented with WAGOLLs to draw attention to desirable aspects of written work.