How can we make complex issues accessible to all?
Start by reading the following introduction to a strategy called 'Mysteries'.
This is a powerful strategy. It is an alternative to providing pupils with a page of text to be tackled through comprehension questions. Pupils are usually posed one big open question. The data is provided on small slips of paper, which allow pupils to move it around on the table as they develop, share and evaluate ideas. The data usually has a story-line, some characters, important topic-related subject knowledge and, possibly, some red herrings. As in most thinking skills activities, pupils work collaboratively in groups.
(DfES, 2002, p. 262)
Consider for a moment what the advantages and disadvantages of this strategy might be. What difficulties might it present in terms of organisation?
For further information about using the 'Mysteries' strategy click on the Text icon and look at 'Mysteries' (Leat, 2001, pp. 51-7). To see an example stimulus click on the Text icon and look at 'Trekking in Nepal'.
You may wish to create a mystery of your own to engage pupils with the global dimension. Look now at the activity opposite.
Activity Resources:
- Images
- Interactive
- Sound
- Text
- Video
Activity
- Reconsider one of the units of work you have recently taught. Use one of the tools or scaffolds focused on in the first two activities in this unit to enhance an activity within this unit with a geography-based spiritual, moral, cultural or social dimension.
- Deliver your enhanced activity. Then reflect on the pupils' reaction to it and the standard of work that they produce.
