Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating soil data
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse and reflect on my soil data to create meaningful conclusions and an evaluation.
Key learning points
- Analyses of data can sometimes reveal data that does not seem to fit with the general pattern.
- Geographers should try to find explanations for anomalous data.
- Geographers look for evidence that their data is both valid and reliable.
Keywords
Anomaly - a piece of data that does not seem to fit the trend shown by all the other pieces of data
Valid (data) - data that is able to answer or partially answer an enquiry question
Reliable (data) - data that could be replicated if the data collection were to be repeated
Common misconception
Anomalous data can be ignored in the data analysis stage as it is due to human error in the data collection stage.
Geographers will always try to find explanations for data that does not fit the general trend before they dismiss it as being caused by human error during the data collection stage.
Teacher tip
Listing the geographical variables that were not measured in the data collection stage can be a good way of helping students to formulate sensible reasons for anomalies.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why does soil matter to humans?
Q2.What is humus?
Q3.What can fossils tell us about?
Q4.Match the type of soil to its key characteristic:
Sticky, holds water well
Drains quickly, feels gritty
Mix of textures, good for plants
Q5.What causes biological weathering?
Q6.Which rock type usually contains fossils?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is an anomaly in data?
Q2.What does it mean for data to be valid?
Q3.Which of these is an example of unreliable data?
Q4.Why should anomalies not be ignored completely?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating soil data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating soil data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Rocks, weathering and soil: Why is geology important? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.