SCIENCE

KS1

Pond Dipping

In groups with an adult, the children stand round the pond.   Safety is very important in this activity. 

We talk about the pond and what we might expect to find in it.  The adults come to the front of the platform with one child from their group.  They closely supervise the child dipping and the net contents are put in a bowl.  Then they help the next child in their group.  Having all dipped the pond the group looks at what they have caught.  We look at pictures o the animals and compare the shapes, movement etc.

Minibeasts

A simple worksheet is sometimes used.  We look at the moth trap and see the moths caught in clear boxes. In the woodland we look in the lea litter and under wood to wind living minibeasts.  We can look at previously set pitfall traps.  Using white sheets placed under trees, they are shaken to see what falls out.  We can look at snails and how they move.  The activity takes the children through the different habitats in a given area.

Tracks and Trails

We can look at a selection of stuffed birds and animals.  We look at beaks, their shapes and uses.  We look at animal eyes, fur and feet.  Then we look outside for signs of animals such as tracks, fur, feathers, mole-hills etc.  Plaster casts can be made of tracks found, these are taken back to school.

SENSES

Scavenger Hunt

We have various scavenger hunts depending on the time of year.  Some include writing and some pictures.  The children use the information to spot matching things in the wild.  Sometimes they collect items, or tick them off.

Un-natural Trail

A selection of man made objects are put in a particular area.  the children have to find them without telling others.  These are marked down and results compared with the group.

Feely Bags

12 bags are hung on trees in eh woods a different object in each one.  The children go to them in turn and put a hand inside to feel the object and say what they think it is. 

Smelly Cocktails

The group stands in a circle and pots containing different smells are handed round.  The pots are covered with muslin so the contents are hidden.  When we have identified the smells the children with a partner collect smells they find in our garden, for example small pieces of herbs, they can mix the items to make interesting smells.  They can name their smelly cocktail and everyone can smell the various concoctions.

Listening Beads

Listening beads are passed to each child.  We quietly look at the colours in them and how they can change in the sun.  We close our eyes and mouths and open our ears.  While listening hard for any sound we think about the lovely colours of the beads.  We also use some RSPB song bird toys for the children to identify which bird sings which song.

Terratoriality Game

The children are given the sound of an animal.  They hide and on a signal come forward and make their sound loudly.  Another member of the group has the same sound and they have to find each other.

Sticky Cards

Double sided tape is stuck to cards, the children collect as many small pieces of colours of items such as leaves as possible.

This is a selection of activities available, more are possible, please ring to discuss.

Seasons

A range of activities is put together to look at the relevant seasons

Habitats

We generally compare three different habitats at Thornham, looking at the plants and animals living there.

Freshwater Study

KS2

Making children aware o the habitat surroundings of a pond and how ponds differ.  We survey the pond, looking at the shape, size, depth, soil, water colour, temperature of the air and water, plant growth, shade and the aspect of the pond.  Each child makes their own drawing and notes down the information.  Then we look at what is living in the pond.  The children are given clear safety instructions to be carried out while dipping.  In pairs the children are given a bowl and net.  Water is collected in the bowl and they dip the pond in turns, interesting specimens are taken back to the Centre.  In our lab the children look at the specimens in trays and use identification sheets to find what is in their tray.  Using magnifying glasses they observe and draw a creature, make notes and using reference cards and books, find out more. 

River Dove Study

A walk through the village to the river and water meadows. Following a map, looking at how the stream varies at different points. At the river we discuss the water cycle and carry out a survey, measuring the width o the river, depth, water temperature, water speed and what the river bed is made of.  At the meadows we read an information sheet abut the area and look at plants and how the river changes, then follow the path until we get to a ford crossing.  At his point we discus this feature and dip the river from the ford.

Minibeasts

A trail is followed and worksheets filled in as we look at various habitats.  The moth trap, previously set, will hopefully provide specimens to look at.  We check pitfall traps, use beating sheets and sweep nets and search the woodland floor for minibeasts.

Food Chains

Look at stuffed birds and animals which have been placed in their groups depending on whether they are herbivore, small or large carnivore.  After looking at food chains inside we follow a trail searching for the producers, herbivores, small carnivores, top carnivores and the recyclers.  This includes making "nests" for mice.

Tracks and Trails

 A short introductory quiz introduces the children to animal feet and their nests, eggs, feathers etc.  Then we search for things on a scavenger hunt sheet or using a map, we make plaster casts of tracks on the way.

Habitats

We look at three habitats, woodland, grassland and freshwater.  We look at animal and plant life and how they are suited to their environment.

Life Cycle of the Oak Tree

We look at acorns and oak seedlings.  We look for minibeasts living on a sapling oak and measure a mature oak.  We look at trees with insufficient light and water, thinking about pollards and the uses of wood.  We search for a dead oak to find any wildlife living on it, learning about decay and recyclers.

Hedgerow Study

We study a 30m stretch of hedgerow.  The group will divided up so that each small groups has 5m to look at and record.  We look at the history of hedges, the variety of tree species and count them.  We make leaf rubbings and look at flowers, search for minibeasts and signs of animals and birds.

Woodland Management

Looking at how woodlands have been managed from Victorian times.  We look at pollarding, coppicing and regeneration.  We look at different woods and their uses.

Tree Trail

Following a trail and answering questions on trees on the way

Tree Detective

In pairs the children have a laminated leaf and have to find the matching tree.  When found they do a bark and leaf rubbing, draw any fruit or flowers on the tree and name it.  They swap leaves until they have identified three trees.

Plants

What do plants need to grow?  Identifying plants.  Plants in different habitats.  Seasons.  Nettle survey.  Footpath survey.  Food plants and other uses. Smells