Resource #V119081

Précis

This resource is a scientific enquiry where students are guided to observe, record and ask questions for which they will endeavour to find answers.

Contextual Summary

Ideally there should be two lessons before the visit: one to prepare pictures of imaginary animals which will then be used for the main pre-visit lesson which introduces asking appropriate questions. Activities are designed to appeal to students of all abilities in upper and lower key stage 2 (years 3-6).

Curriculum Relevance

Science → Biology → Animals

Implementation

The pre-visit lessons are intended to prepare the students for asking appropriate questions during the on-site task. Whilst on-site students are asked to observe one animal for a period of time. For this reason it is suggested that they should look around the first part of the zoo to start with, before choosing an animal to study. Teachers may decide to select an area specifically for this task. This would work well if it is used as part of a carousel, with one group at a time.

Key Skills Practised

• Observation
• Recording
• Questioning
• Research
• Reasoning
• Identifying and Classifying

Learning Opportunities

Pre-Visit

Ideally there should be two lessons before the visit: one to prepare pictures of imaginary animals which will then be used for the main pre-visit lesson which introduces asking appropriate questions. Lesson plans are provided

On Site

Students will learn to make observations and are encouraged to note what they see rather than what they think they see or expect. They will ask questions in a sequenced order based on Bloom?s Taxonomy, and realize that there are different ways to find answers and some questions require different sorts of answers. A lesson plan is provided.

Post-Visit

Although the task is mainly presented as an on site task, there are plenty of opportunities to follow it up afterwards at school. There is also a suggested lesson to practise asking relevant questions for before the visit. The task can be used as part of a carousel with other resources.

Learning Outcomes

Students will have studied an animal or bird through careful observation with recorded drawings and written notes.

They will also have come up with a number of questions most of which they will have answered from observation, reasoning or from the information boards.

There should be discussion about any ?unanswerable? questions.