Globalisation

We have been looking at some of the positive effects of the globalisation of industry in year 7 and 8. We looked at how globalisation means cheaper prices for us and how it offers some people the chance to earn a good wage in the poorest counties of the world. Of course its not always like that. We have already discussed the environmental cost of globalisation, but what about the exploitation of workers. What makes a fair wage and what are good working conditions. of course we can never get a good feel for what its like to work in a factory for long hours and low wages without trying it for ourselves however this game may help us to understand a little bit.

Globalisation

In year 7 and 8 we are looking at Globalisation. Part of this has involved a look at Leicester's fashion trade and how in order to survive companies like JAK are having to source fabric from Bangladesh, design the garment and cut the fabric in Leicester then stitch the garment in countries like Latvia before selling the product in countries like Germany. It is all about reducing input and process costs (especially cheap workers) while selling the finished product where it will get the best price. All the transport involved may make sense moneywise but does it make environmental sense? For another example of the effects of globalisation take a look at this video on the banana trade.

If you are still confused by some of the terms we have been using then some of them are explained in this short video (yes I know its a bit outdated mentioning minidisks!)

Weather: Thundersnow!

It's always exciting having a storm, though of course they can cause great damage. Tonight a storm is forecast that could include something called thundersnow! You can read about this here. This is the kind of thing those of you studying the weather in year 8 need to keep an eye on as you could include it in your project work.

Weather

Just to remind those of you in Year 8 who are studying the weather about the helpful sites out there. The Met office is a good place to start and of course the BBC's new weather pages (select the Beta link) are a great place to catch up on what's going on with our weather now. More weather links are available here. Also for some weather webcams you can look here.

Google Earth Update Leicester

After the improvement to Leicester's coverage in Google Earth we were still left with imagery that was seven years old. Now this has been updated with images that are just a couple of years old. You can now clearly see the blue roof of the school(still under construction) and Bradgate Park in the distance. Notice the sky now has clouds, this is because Google Earth has a new weather layer which is updated in near real time, but much more detailed than the overlay we have used in class. Could be useful for the year 8 weather benefits and hazards project.

The first Eco club tree is planted.

For those who followed the disasterous adventures of Mr Notleys tree "Twiggy" and the slightly less dire tales of "Twiggy II" will be pleased to hear that "Twiggy III" is now safely growing in our grounds. Twiggy III - like its predecessors is an Oak tree and was kindly donated by the family of a Year 6 student.

Weather Hazards

Warnings of a big storm surge in the North Sea tonight. Those of you in year 8 doing your weather benefits and hazards projects will want to keep an eye on this. Notice the causes. Lets just hope we don't now see the effects. For more details the BBC website reports on this here.

Make your own planet.

Lots of you have asked for the file to make a larger version of the Blue Marble globe from lessons. Click here to open the PDF file ready for printing.

Alternatively try a model of the Ozone layer (click here) , or the continents (click here). If you want a further challenge why not create an origami globe (a good chance to brush up on your paper folding skills if you are in year 9!)

Floods

Now that the floodwater is going down in the North it is a good time to reflect on what has happened and look at the effects of our wet June. Ajp on the sln geography forum has posted an excellent presentation on slideshare, have a look and see what you think. It feels like a good time to live in the Midlands even if the weather outlook is for more rain. Those of you in year 7 bear in mind that this will make a great study for your weather benefits and hazards project in year 8.

Etna blows its top!

As if on cue Mount Etna, Europes largest and most active volcano, has begun to erupt again. This should be of interest to year 8 in preparation for their "Mount Etna newspaper" coursework assessment. For new video footage follow this link.

How about collecting and/or recording any news about this event in a file ready to use.

Fair Trade Fortnight

I meant to mention this last week. Just a few more days left of Fair Trade Fortnight. Look at the screens around school for more details.

Geography and reading week.

Thanks to all the groups who have been involved in doing "Horrible Geography" book reviews this week. The results have been amazing and it's been hard to choose the winners in each class.

Those who have been selected will be given the chance to process their reviews next lesson and then get them published on the geography website under pupils work.

Once again thanks for supporting Reading week with such enthusiasm.

Tornado rips apart Alabama High school

Tornadoes have killed at least 17 people in the southern US states of Alabama, Georgia and Missouri.

Victims included at least five people killed when a tornado ripped through an Alabama school building, and two dead when a hospital was hit in Georgia.

For those of you in Year 8 who have recently completed your
"Weather benefits and hazards" project this story may be of particular interest.

For an animated guide to how Tornadoes happen click on this picture link.

Napoli update.

Salvage experts in charge of the recovery of the MSC Napoli, grounded off Lyme Bay in Devon, are planning to remove the ship from the coast.

Mr Middleton, the secretary of state's representative in maritime salvage and intervention said "It will be a case of trying to work out the best methodology, whether we cut her in two or whether we refloat her as she is. But she will be removed."

Follow this story with the BBC here

Geography Photos update

Thanks for the early returns of geography photographs to add to our online collection with flickr. The quality is great but we need more please. Remember if you have been somewhere interesting or seen something geographical e-mail it into school with a short message explaining where, when and what it is!!

Snow Joke!

Some of you may have heard about the forecasts of severe weather for Thursday and the weekend. To find out the real story keep in touch using this link.

Latest UK Weather and Flood Warnings thanks to the BBC

Thursday 8 February WEATHER WARNING Wales, Midlands, southern and southeast England: Snow will become heavy during the early morning and may fall for as long as 6 hours at any one location. Typically 5cm of lying snow can be expected with as much as 15cm possible in some areas. Snow will move further north during the morning and afternoon. Valid until 1100GMT
Click here to check out weather web cams from around the UK, can you see any snow yet?

Geography images, be a school photographer.

Are you a top photographer? The great thing about Geography is that pictures tell a thousand words. As the holiday season approaches and you get to travel far and wide, how about bringing us back some of your digital images of weather, landscapes or other interesting features! Just not your dad buried up to his neck with the tide coming in Ehh!! Best ones will be included online in our Flicker collection

Year 8: Shires Redevelopment Webcam

As you already know the Shires Shopping Centre in the centre of Leicester is being redeveloped and extended into the new Highcross Quarter. It is one of many new developments taking place throughout the city at the moment and is due to be finished in 2008 at a cost of £350 million (or the price of around 27 Bushloe's). As they build the structure you can watch it on their webcam by clicking here. Apart from the Shires what other developments are taking place in the city at the moment, perhaps you could leave a comment.

Stricken cargo ship run aground

The MSC Napoli cargo ship has been run aground in Lyme bay in Devon after being damaged in last weeks storms. Coastguards and anti-pollution teams are on alert after the ship carrying potentially dangerous chemicals was beached off the "World Heritage site" Jurassic coast.
The ship is carrying almost 2,400 containers, about 150 of which are said to hold hazardous chemical substances.
For Year 8 this may be particularly significant as it is very close to the site for the Exmouth Camp.

For further updates link here to the BBC News