Geogra3: Geographical documentaries on jungles, atmospheric circulation and wildfires

Welcome back to another edition of Geogra3! This week, I'm excited to share three impressive documentaries that are sure to add an extra layer of excitement to your geography classroom. Whether you're delving into the heart of the jungle, unravelling the mysteries of Earth's atmosphere, or examining the devastating impact of wildfires, these documentaries are bound to captivate your students and spark meaningful discussions. Read on to discover more about each documentary and how they can enhance your secondary geography lessons.

1. Congo - Wilderness with Simon Reeve (episode 1)

BBC iPlayerlink: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001tkg5/wilderness-with-simon-reeve-series-1-1-congo

Embark on a visually stunning journey with Simon Reeve as he navigates through one of the world's most challenging rainforests. From peat bogs to encounters with the Baku tribe, Reeve's exploration is both awe-inspiring and educational. The documentary culminates with a rare encounter with bonobos, shedding light on our closest living relatives. I incorporated this documentary into my year 8 curriculum during our Africa unit, and it proved to be an enjoyable experience for students, allowing them to truly engage with the jungle environment.

2. Orbit: Earth’s Extraordinary Journey (episode 1)

Daily Motion link: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7ynkcd (and also available on Clickview)

Join presenters Kate Humble and Dr. Helen Czerski as they embark on a journey, tracing Earth's orbit around the sun. From July to the December solstice, they explore the profound impact of this journey on our planet, experiencing spectacular weather and the largest tides on Earth. Episode 1 provides valuable insights into the atmospheric circulation model and the resulting bands of ecosystems around our planet. This documentary is a useful resource for explaining complex geographical concepts to students in a visually compelling manner.

3. Wildfires: Deadly Disasters

Link on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxFdCrHB4Hs

Explore the causes, consequences, and responses to wildfires in this accessible documentary. It brilliantly covers both human and natural causes before delving into specific case studies, including the Campfire of 2018 in California, Black Saturday 2009 in Australia, and Indonesia in 2019. The discussion on Indonesia raises important concerns about draining peatlands for palm oil farming, making it a thought-provoking addition to your curriculum.

To make your life easier, I've created question and answer sheets linked to each of these documentaries. You can find them in the Geography Teacher Box vault, along with a growing library of 90 other resources, which is added to every month.  Simply click this link to find out more.

Join the GTB vault today, and let's keep teaching firmly in its job box, allowing you to reclaim your evenings. Bring the world into your classroom and inspire the next generation of geographers with these captivating documentaries!