Headland Features

This year's Form 4s have just finished their module on coasts, a major unit of the Cambridge IGCSE Geography syllabus. This is their last unit of work before they pick up the rest of the two year course with their new teacher next year. 

However, before I go, I would like to share some of the excellent diagrams the students created of a headland using Playdoh and modelling clay. This was the same task that I had challenged the previous year to do in 2017. (See here for their efforts.) 

Qistina

I have shared Qistina's diagram because it was very clear and showed real attention to detail. I liked the touch of using the computer to type up her labels, meaning it was very easy to follow. Overall it was an excellent diagram that deserved to be shared with the wider world. However, like all Geographers there are ways she could have improved. For example she could have talked more about wave refraction. 

Wave refraction is so important to mention when explaining coastal erosion as it helps to shape the unique features shown in a headland. As waves approach a coast they are refracted (bent) due to the different depths of the seabed. This means that wave energy is focused around headlands not around bays. As a result the retreat of a headland is not uniform as the sides of the headland are attacked, creating features like faults, caves and arches.

Jenny

Jenny also created a visually impressive diagram of a headland, showing real ingenuity in her display. She had plenty of detail on the types of erosion breaking down the headland. However, a way to make this even better would have been to give detail about weathering. Weathering is where rocks are broken down where they are by weather, plants and animals. Weathering plays a really important role in the initial weakening of the rock and the eventual collapse of the arch. Stronger answers at IGCSE would include specific reference to types of erosion such as hydraulic action as well as types of weathering like freeze-thaw when explaining how headland features are formed.

Other notable diagrams from the class. Zan (left) and Adele (right).

A final note from me...
Over the year the students have grown in confidence and are now beginning to show mastery of Geographical knowledge and skills. If they continue to work as hard as they have this academic year, I have no doubts that they will fare well in June 2019. I wish them all well as I head for my new school in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It has been a pleasure teaching them as they typify the core values of most students at KTJ; a strong work ethic, a desire to achieve and a friendly and supportive approach to their fellow learners and teachers.