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Minibeasts

This hands-on day explores the world of minibeasts at Skelton, through lots of outside activities. We start by spending the morning outside and looking closely at real minibeasts in our wildlife area. In the afternoon we make mud models of our favourite minibeasts and finish the day with a class game.

National Curriculum Summary

Sc2

Sc2 Life Processes and Living Things:
Living things in their environment - we find out about living things in the local environment, thinking about why different things live in different places and how we can contribute to looking after them.
Humans and other animals - we learn that minibeasts need to be treated with care and sensitivity.

Main National Curriculum Links

Sc2 2e, 5a, 5b, 5c

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the day children will be able to:

  • identify differences between some local habitats and the minibeasts that live there
  • talk about a range of minibeasts and where they found them
  • say how creatures are the same in some ways and different in others eg. some have legs and some don't
  • talk about one minibeast in detail, including where it lives, how it grows and changes and what it eats
  • understand the importance of looking after our natural environment, and the plants and animals that live there

Availability

March to October

Day Summary

The day begins with an introduction by the day leader, welcoming the group to the centre, followed by a whole-class game or activity.

The children then split into groups (normally 3) for the remaining activities activities: Minibeast Hunting and Minibeast Modelling.

Minibeast Hunting

We go outside into the wildlife garden and look for minibeasts in several different habitats, including the pond, woodland and meadow.  We show the children how to collect the creatures gently and safely,  and look at them using bug jars and magnifying glasses, thinking about their colour, shape, number of legs, how they move and other easily observable characteristics.

Minibeast Modelling

Back down in the woods, we make mud models of our favourite minibeasts from the morning!  And find a suitable place for them to live.  We then make a sticky postcard to remind us of the minibeast's habitat. 

At the End of the Day

We get back together as one big group and play some minibeast-themed games as we evalute the day.

 

Visit our Links page to find some fun ideas for pre-visit or follow-up activities! 

:: last modified 17 May 2011 ::