Student guide for_river_alyn_controlled_assessment_(oct_2010)
- 1. GCSE fieldwork for Controlled assessment – Fieldwork Focus Title: How and why do natural features vary along the River Alyn? Learning outcomes: All students will- • List and describe different features • Observe and describe a range of river landforms • Complete location maps for the “setting the scene” scene section. • Describe the different methods used on the trip • State a hypothesis that will be investigated Most students will- • Label photo’s and sketches with explanations of how landforms have been created (referring to the processes at work) • Describe and explain different data collection methods • Create location maps for the “setting the scene” scene section. • Comment on the different methods of presenting data and suggest trends in the data Some students will- • Explain the reasons why different landforms are located in specific places along the river • Suggest limitations of the study and possible solutions So…….. What features are we expecting to see? Which features are made by erosion? What different methods of erosion and Which features are made by deposition? transportation can be observed? How and why do natural features vary along the River Alyn? Some questions for you What is the landscape like at What causes deposition? to consider and think different points along the river about What causes erosion? What types of erosion are there? How does the river channel change as you move downstream? How does the material in the river change as you move downstream? Why do some areas have features caused by erosion and other areas have features caused by deposition?
- 2. Key Questions to answer: 1. How does the river channel change along its course? 2. What features of erosion are found along the River Alyn? 3. What has caused this erosion and led to these landforms? 4. What features of deposition are found along the River Alyn? 5. How does the material in the river change as you move downstream? Writing your answer – 1200 words Section 1: Setting the scene (200 words) • What is the question you are trying to answer? • What is your hypothesis (what do you expect the answer to the title to be) • Where is Colomendy? (Remember, when describing location you use distance, direction, other nearby places that people may have heard of). • What relevant information can you provide about Colomendy and the region (keep it brief, not a long history of the place) Section 2: Method (in a table so not included in word count) • Describe the fieldwork techniques that you will be using (fieldsketching, pebble analysis, width and depth measurements, velocity of water measurement) • Explain why these techniques are useful (what will they show us?) • Explain what problems there may be of these techniques (try to think as many problems as you can about each technique) Section 3: Data presentation and analysis (the most important bit) (800 words) • Present your findings using annotated photographs, annotated fieldsketches, cross sections of the river, pebble analysis graphs and so on for each method used • Describe the findings of your fieldwork • Explain the findings (basically answer the key questions) Section 4: Evaluation and conclusion (200 words) • Go back to the original question and sum up what you have found out – don’t say new things though • Say what the strengths of your work are • Say what the weaknesses of your work are • Say how you would improve the work (again, this can be done in a table with three columns – strengths, weaknesses and improvements – remember, recognising weaknesses in your work is a good thing as it shows you are thinking about what you are doing)
- 3. LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 Question or Simple description, Sound description, Good description, A02 hypothesis in the context of considers wider considers range & the enquiry context variety of contexts Applic Evidence Simple description Adequate description Thorough description & & explanation & explanation; stops explanation of short K&U /12 Location & Done simply Done ok Done well description of Limited use of Selects & uses a Effectively selects & study area techniques variety of techniques uses a variety of techniques Methodology Suggests a limited Suggests a variety of Suggests an number of techniques & appropriate variety of techniques & technologies techniques & technologies technologies Data A limited selection A varied selection of A varied selection of Collection of evidence appropriate accurate and (results) is evidence (results) is appropriate evidence presented, mainly presented, mainly (results) is presented, A03 fieldwork fieldwork, but other using a wide range of sources sources Analysis Data A few simple maps, A range of maps, An appropriate range of representation graphs or diagrams graphs or diagrams maps, graphs or & diagrams Analysis, The limited Evidence has been Evidence has been Evaluation Interpretation & evidence has been analysed/interpreted analysed/interpreted; a Conclusion commented upon; a ; a plausible substantiated simplistic conclusion conclusion has been conclusion has been has been made made made /24 Evaluation Attempted – odd Overall evaluation Critical evaluation; basic comment made; some considers limitations of suggestions for methodology/data; improvements suggests how to put these right & extend the enquiry SPAG Contains errors Mostly accurate; Almost no errors; Hinders easily understood meaning communicated communication, clearly Written Writes too little/too Writes with some Writes precisely & to style much; not focused precision; meets the point; word limit word limit not exceeded SCORE 0 - 12 13 - 24 25 - 36