There is often a need to find contemporary stories in geography.
I am always keen to find a story which 'updates' an existing theme...
This Guardian article has a lead in to an interesting story on a place which I visited over 30 years ago, and have always wanted to return to: Mont St. Michel.
Start by finding the location of Mont St Michel, and using the aerial images on Google Earth to identify a potential problem... Use this map before you read the article, or allow students to see the article, and let them list the potential issues for people who live in this place.
What is this place like ?
Notice that the Google Street View doesn't extend into the streets of Mont St. Michel - why is that ? Use some FLICKR searches to find out what the place is like.
Next, create a brief Fact File using the official site of MSM
You can also listen to this Mike Oldfield track while you work if you have SPOTIFY
View Larger Map
Mont St. Michel has a causeway to connect it to the mainland.
This has tended to be clogged with cars, and there are now plans to change the way that the surrounding area is managed. These include the tidal area surrounding the Mount.
Do some reading to find about the problems facing this interesting place, and the implications of changing things.
There are new shuttle buses to take visitors to the mount. These are currently being tested.
It is also a World Heritage Site. What does this mean ?
Check this site too for more details.
Produce a summary of the issues facing the mount. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourists for people living on the Mount. How many people actually live there ?
Finish by visiting our own 'version' of this place: St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall....
Image of Mont St. Michel by Paul Stephenson and shared on Flickr under CC Attribution license.
I am always keen to find a story which 'updates' an existing theme...
This Guardian article has a lead in to an interesting story on a place which I visited over 30 years ago, and have always wanted to return to: Mont St. Michel.
Start by finding the location of Mont St Michel, and using the aerial images on Google Earth to identify a potential problem... Use this map before you read the article, or allow students to see the article, and let them list the potential issues for people who live in this place.
What is this place like ?
Notice that the Google Street View doesn't extend into the streets of Mont St. Michel - why is that ? Use some FLICKR searches to find out what the place is like.
Next, create a brief Fact File using the official site of MSM
You can also listen to this Mike Oldfield track while you work if you have SPOTIFY
View Larger Map
Mont St. Michel has a causeway to connect it to the mainland.
This has tended to be clogged with cars, and there are now plans to change the way that the surrounding area is managed. These include the tidal area surrounding the Mount.
Do some reading to find about the problems facing this interesting place, and the implications of changing things.
There are new shuttle buses to take visitors to the mount. These are currently being tested.
It is also a World Heritage Site. What does this mean ?
Check this site too for more details.
Produce a summary of the issues facing the mount. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourists for people living on the Mount. How many people actually live there ?
Finish by visiting our own 'version' of this place: St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall....
Image of Mont St. Michel by Paul Stephenson and shared on Flickr under CC Attribution license.
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