Geogra3: Three geographical documentaries to use in the classroom today!

Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of Geogra3!  I’m sharing three geography-themed documentaries to help keep students engaged, while also lightening the load for you in the classroom.   

1. The Climate Planet

This video is on the Waterbear platform that showcases environmental and inspirational programmes for free.  Through a vibrant mix of pictures, visuals and animations, the Climate Planet film breaks down the basic principles of climate science. The film illustrates the interconnectedness between rising temperatures from human activities and the resulting knock-on effects on climate, nature and human well-being. Going back to the very beginnings of the creation of our planet, the film shows how our climate relies on a complex balance. A balance that humans are now effectively upsetting.  

Video link: https://www.waterbear.com/watch/the-climate-planet-film (36 mins)

2. The 5 most dangerous jobs in the world

This programme explores 5 jobs in the primary sector including sulphur mining in Indonesia, limestone quarrying in Egypt and bird nest harvesting in the Philippines.  It highlights the risks people take in their daily work while attempting to provide for their family. It offers a useful starting point to discuss the inequalities experienced in global trade.   

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh9t3pEUCes (25 mins)

3. Down to Earth: Iceland

A few years old now, but this Netflix programme featuring Zac Efron and his friend Darin Olien is popular and entertaining (if you can get past the similarities between the presenters and the ‘90s tv show Beavis and Butthead!).  Having said that, they do explore renewable energy and tourist attractions in Iceland and would therefore be an excellent video to share with students if you’re planning a field trip to the location. 

Video link: Only available on Neflix.

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 other documentary resources, which is added to every month. 

This is what is currently available alongside 6 fully-prepped classroom-ready KS3 units of work:

Join today, and let's keep teaching firmly in its job box, allowing you to reclaim your evenings!