Learn how to develop your skills here
Learn how to develop your skills here
HOW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY WRITING
Highlighters, if used properly can have a huge impact on a student in terms of developing their extended writing skills. They should be used to highlight the connectives needed when addressing a specific command term.
For example, if you are asked to compare and contrast, once you have finished your answer, highlight the connectives you have used to answer the question properly. If you only highlight one/two connectives, then you most likely haven't answered the question properly which means your answer can be improved. If on the other hand, you have 4/5 connectives highlighted, then you know you are answering the question right in terms of skill requirements.
Top tips for students:
Use a different colour highlighter to address a different skill
For example - orange - effect (as a result/therefore/this could lead to)
Green - evaluation - to conclude, my most important reason, short term/long term, however, even though
Blue - application/linking - data/facts/figures/stats/ key information from a case study
Yellow - compare and contrast - connectives that either compare or contrast
Watch the examples below.
Revision videos
These model answer revision videos explain how to address exam questions in different subjects. They mostly focus on questions that have higher marks for being able to explain/analyse/evaluate. They can be used in the classroom by teachers, at home by students and even in departments as part of CPD.
It is also worth noting that the main purpose of these videos is to focus on structure. For any issues regarding content/depth, teachers (who are the subject experts) can clarify this with their students. This section will be updated over time and I will include as many exam boards as I can as sometimes they can differ from what they look for. For example, Business Studies Edexcel/AQA have different approaches as to how to structure an answer for some questions.
Collaboration
I strongly advise different departments in the school to collaborate together in terms of teaching students how to write in their subjects. For example, Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers could take the same approach so that the students receive consistency when it comes to developing those crucial literacy skills that will help improve their grades. The same applies to other areas of the school where, for example, History and Geography can work together as well as Business Studies and Economics.
AQA GCSE Biology - Specimen Paper 2H
Question: Explain how the carbon is recycled into the growth of new leaves (6m)
AQA GCSE Physics - Specimen paper Paper 1H
Question: Explain what led to the plum pudding model of the atom being replaced by the nuclear model of the atom (6m)
AQA GCSE Chemistry - Specimen Paper 2H
Question: Explain, in terms of particles, how and why the rate of reaction changes during the reaction of calcium carbonate with hydrochloric acid (4m)
AQA GCSE History
America: 1920-1973
Question: Which of the following was the more important reason why there were more opportunities in America during the 1920s?
Economic growth or Social changes (12m)
AQA GCSE History
Germany 1890-1945
Question: The war at sea was the main reason for Germany’s defeat in the First World War. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer
(12m)
AQA GCSE Geography
Challenges in the Human Environment
Question: Evaluate the effectiveness of an urban transport system you have studied (9m)
AQA GCSE Geography
Challenges in the Human Environment
Question: ‘Transnational corporations (TNCs) only bring advantages to the host country.’ Do you agree with this statement? (9m)
AQA GCSE Business Studies
Spec paper 2 - Bambino Parties
Question: Sonia wants to have a website designed to promote her business, this will cost 4,800. She is considering the following options:
A bank loan to be repaid over 2 years
Take on her friend as a partner
Recommend which option Sonia should take (9m)
AQA GCSE Business Studies
Spec paper 1
Questions:
Explain one objective which a business may set (2m)
Explain why Apple would choose to spend millions of dollars to promote the Apple watch (4m)
Explain two benefits of developing new products for a business (4m)
AQA GCSE Business Studies
June 2017 - Charlie`s Art
Question: Charlie wants to research how he can sell more paintings and how much he should charge for them. Advise him on the best way to carry out this research.
Give reasons for your advice.
(9m)