Animals and Nature

Aims:  These tasks are designed to be done with your child. Blue coloured tasks are aimed at Pathway 1 pupils as well as pupils who prefer more interactive activities and require a higher level of support. These are tasks we hope you will enjoy, please select the ones you feel are most appropriate for your child.

Thinking

Literacy Focus

Link to building descriptive language vocabulary in the
Elmer story set last week.

Expressing a personal
preference

Focus:  Like

Speaking, Listening & Communication:

Watch the trip to the zoo experience:  [non-fiction = facts + information ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smgjxn8hKfk

[Powerpoint version of this video is available to -

Look at and talk about ‘Trip to the Zoo BLUE as’   - it will help
you to talk through some moments from the video and help with the tasks below.]

Reading & Understanding:

• What animals did you see?

• Complete CIP worksheet ‘What animals did you see at the zoo?’

Fine Motor/Creative work:

• Which animal is your favourite? 

        -     Complete  CIP worksheet ‘Your favourite animal at the zoo?’

Expressing a personal preference/Language development:

• Think about and talk about why you like this animal

Writing:

• Can you talk about and write what a parrot looks like?

• Complete CIP worksheet  ‘Describe what a parrot looks like’.

[Note to parents:  CIP = Communicate in Print. A programme designed to create symbol supported, accessible resources to aid communication and learning.] 

Extension Work:   Short Animal Stories   [fiction = made up story]

Billy the Giraffe  [link to last week’s theme of friendship]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zt8K4tXeuc

The Very Hungry Caterpillar [favourite stories, creatures you
 might see in the garden or park and of course food!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-NhjfJ_RZI

The Mixed-Up Cameleon [If you like the style of The Very Hungry Caterpillar - a bit harder but it’s good; it’s about learning to be
happy being who you are.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrmZeXf7ScU

Mr Tumble Something Special We’re All Friends Series 9: 1 Washing Pig

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03qkw87/something-special-were-all-friends-series-9-1-pig-washing    [non-fiction signed children’s programme]

Video title: Learning animal signs
 

Maths Focus

• Click on the link below

https://www.sheppardsoftware.com/preschool/animals
/jungle/animaljunglefindcountgame.htm

Follow the instructions, find and count the animals in the jungle

Can you remember how many gorillas you have seen?

Can you remember how many lions you have counted all
together?

How many gorillas and crocodiles are all together?

What animal was the largest in size?

What animal was the smallest in size?

What animal was the longest in length?

Complete basic additions and subtractions with jungle animals:

Jungle Animal Themed Subtraction Worksheet

Jungle Animal Themed Addition Sheet

Draw various jungle animals and compare their colours, sizes, lengths and heights. 

• Counting in 10’s animal dot to to - free download

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-12468-counting-in-10s-dot-to-dot-sheets-animals

• Sort the animals
  
  https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/547/
  Animal-Sorting-Maths-Game

Science Focus

Task: Taste Testing Without Smell:
Some foods taste better than others but what gives us the ability
to experience all these unique flavours? Carry out this simple experiment to see that there's a lot more to taste than you might have first thought: 
https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/smelltaste.html

Task: Make art with snails:
Have you been wondering what to do with all of those snails in your garden? This project combines science and art!

https://curiodyssey.org/activities/science-experiments-for-kids/how-to-make-art-with-snails/

Task: Habitat online lesson
https://en.e-learningforkids.org/science/lesson/mexico-
animal-habitats/

Task:Matching animals to their habitats interactive game

https://matchthememory.com/animalhabitatsgame

Creativity

Cooking/Technology 

Recommended Recipe: Animal Toast

Why not use up any fruit you may have at home and create an animal inspired toast. You can use any bread, spread (peanut butter/nutella/cream cheese) and any fruit (suggestion: strawberries, banana, blueberries)

Key Skills: Spreading, supported cutting, copy the image above.

Cooking Tasks: Animal Themed Cooking ideas. Choose a recipe and enjoy!

https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/animal-theme-food.html

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1654/holidays-and-events/events-and-gatherings/special-themes/animals/

Technology Task: Animal craft ideas to choose from.

https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/animal-crafts-for-kids/

Drama / Arts / Music

Task Focus: Making a 3D Elmer from recycled materials

Key Information:

In art  we like to make props to inspire imagination and
 interacting with each other

Have a go making an Elmer from recycled materials

Then try to act out what Elmer would be like, Where would
Elmer go or live?

You could even research where real animals live.

Task helpful clip to watch:

Make an Elmer

Basic Task-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
eub7Pe6DZIc

Materials Needed:

Scissors, Milk bottle Scissors Glue Tape Tissue paper
 (could also use coloured paper or Post it Notes).

Keywords:

Elmer,  Animals,  Materials

Sheet - Making Elmer instructions (second page of this
relates to the task below)

Other Options:

Colouring sheet-Art outline the animals and lettering and colour
the picture- See attached booklet (second page)

Health & Wellbeing 

Physical Activity

During your daily exercise - count how many animals you
spotted in your garden/ during your walk, etc.

Cosmic Kids Yoga ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAT5NiWHFIU

Animal exercise for kids with real animals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26guG6wr5so

Pupils to draw ‘a map’ of their garden/ home. Obj:
Parents/ carers/ siblings to hide objects around the set area
 for the students to find. Students are required to mark on
he map the location of each item.

Minibeast Orienteering worksheet: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/T-T-019-Minibeast-hunt-sheet

Cosmic Kids Yoga: ‘Jungle Safari’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4CaR0syf1g

Go Noodle I Get Moving: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoNoodleGames

Animal Athletics Team

Can you make an Athletics Team out of animals?

Think about each event individually and show your understanding of the events and animals by picking the right ones!

Think of watching films for ideas: Madagascar, Lion King, Jungle Book.

Examples

100m - Quick.
Shot Putt – Strong.
Long Jump – Jumps a lot

Cross Curricular

PHSE

1)Create a ‘how to care for …….’ (pet/animal of your choice) profile. (All about a pet worksheet on Twinkl)

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/event/national-pet-month-202ve 
If you don’t have a pet or are struggling to pick an animal, why not draw and create an animal profile of Nala or Arlo? They would love to see what you create!

2) Caring for animals is so important! Many of the students have been able to spend time with school bunnies Gunner and Teddy, and dogs Nala, Arlo and Max and would be able to tell you lots about them. If you have seen the films Peter Rabbit, Chicken Run or Shaun the Sheep Movie there are wonderful powerpoints https://www.intofilm.org/resources/1468 with activities all film and animal care related!

Nala and Arlo would love to see any pet profiles and pictures you draw of animals so please email pictures over to petsastherapy@meadowhighschool.org for us to collate and create a collage.

Animals and Nature

Aims: These tasks are designed to be done with your child. Green coloured tasks are aimed at
pupils in the main body of the school. Tasks are a mixture of interactive tasks  and tasks which
build core skills. These are tasks we hope you will enjoy, please select the ones you feel are most
appropriate. 

Thinking

Literacy Focus

.​​​​​​Identifying and recording
key information in texts.

Writing a detailed
paragraph explaining why.

Key Terms to try and learn: 

non-fiction = facts and
 information

fact = a true piece of
information

fiction = made up/story

key information = the most important information

brief notes = are to help you
remember key information.
Notes should be just words/short phrases -
not full sentences. 
Notes can be quick drawings
too if that works best for you.

You should be able to quickly
scan and re-read to help you
remember.

paragraph = a short section
 of writing

leaflet = a piece of paper
giving information on a
particular subject.  

 First:   Speaking, Listening & Communication AND Writing: 

                         Wildlife Documentaries    [non-fiction texts]

Watch, discuss and make brief notes on TWO different animals.

Key skills to develop - listening carefully, identifying and recording
key information in note form. 

Resources: Yellow workbook. For this task you will need to watch a
section of a nature documentary.  This might be on the internet or a
 T.V. programme OR it could be information from a book or leaflet..

Here are some suggestions [but use any animal programme you like]

The Really Wild Show - Mountain Gorillas  (4 min. clip)

Presenter Steve Backshall

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mk75w

The Animal’s Guide to Britain - Seal’s Secret Weapons  [3 mins. clip]

Presenter Chris Packham

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00gvfpp

No internet, no problem!  There are TWO in leaflets about mountain
gorillas for you to print out.  Choose the right one for you.

Information Leaflet on Gorillas Higher

Information Leaflet on  Gorillas Middle

Next Step: Make and then use your notes in a short writing task - 

       Life in the Zoo -  If I was a zookeeper...

1. Watch one of the clips below.
    
2. Pick ONE animal -  re-watch making notes.
    
3. Write a paragraph.  If you were a zoo keeper at this zoo, what
   animal would you like to look after.  Use your notes to help you
   explain which animal and why.

If you don’t want to be a zoo keeper write about which animal
you would least like to look after and why!

Resources: Your yellow workbook, either Learn Zoo Animals with Blippi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBr5-fceV3k

OR A Day in the Life of Zoo Keeper at Paradise Wildlife Park
[one of the zoos we visit from school sometimes - two video clips to watch!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIjQ4tAi49M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMmErFORdJ

Maths Focus

• ​​​​​​Tangram activity booklet (can you try and draw your own animal?)

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-13166-tangram-animals-activity-booklet

• Beetle game

• Hen laying eggs riddle

If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs will half a dozen hens lay in half a dozen days?

• Create your own animal using different cut out shapes

• Farmer riddle

In reply to an inquiry about the animals on his farm, the farmer says:
"I only ever keep sheep, goats, and horses. In fact, at the moment
they are all sheep bar three, all goats bar four, and all horses bar five." How many does he have of each animal?

Science Focus

Task: Carry out the Invisible Ink with Lemon Juice experiment.

Making invisible ink is a lot of fun, you can pretend you are a secret agent as you keep all your secret codes and messages hidden from others. https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/invisibleink.html

Task: Create art from  natural objects: https://curiodyssey.org/activities/science-experiments-for-kids/how-to-create-art-from-natural-objects/

Animals and their habitats:

Task: Choose one habitat and create a fact file on it- include information about the climate, nature and animals within that habitat.

Task: Find out as much information about one of the animals (ie. what sort of animal it is, where it lives, what it looks like, some interesting facts about it, and whether it eats animals, plants, or both).

Task: Habitat fact file ideas: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-2547618-ks1-animal-habitat-differentiated-fact-file-activity-sheets

Task:Habitat interactive work: http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2science.html

Task: Habitat interactive quiz- https://www.cserc.org/sierra-fun/games/match-habitat/

Task: Build your own habitat- https://switchzoo.com/games/habitatgame.htm

Creativity

Cooking/Technology 

Recommended Recipe: Caterpillar Bananas

If you have spare bananas, why not turn a snack into a fun caterpillar. All you need is a banana, some pretzels and 2 chocolate chips.

Key Skills: Chop (use a table knife) place the pretzels on either side of the chopped banana slice and add 2 eyes.  

Cooking Tasks

Cooking Task: Animal Themed recipes ( differentiated)

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/cooking-with-kids-fun-and-easy-animal-themed-recipes

Cooking Task: Why not make an animal inspired snack.

https://www.mommynearest.com/article/10-easy-animal-themed-snacks-for-your-preschooler
 

Technology Tasks 
4 Animal Cutout Activities 

You can print off the images and stick on cardboard. You can cut around the image and colour in.

PDF document attached - 4 Animal Cutout Activities

Drama / Arts

Task Focus: Making Animals props using recycled materials

Key Information:

In art and  we like to make props to inspire imagination and interacting with each other. Have a go making an animal from recycled materials.

Then try to act out what your animal is like, try to make sounds and voices like the animal or discuss what it might eat or where it might live?

Task helpful clip to watch:

Art: Zoo animal crafts for kids

https://iheartcraftythings.com/50-zoo-animal-crafts-kids.html

Materials Needed:

Scissors, a range of  the following (not all needed) :recycled packaging, glue, stapler or cellotape, string or wool, Cardboard, any old wrapping paper , doyles, kitchen roll or tissue paper.

Ready Mix paint if possible but not necessary  water pot, Paint brush apron etc..)

Keywords:

Sounds, Animals, Puppet, Prop

Other Options:

Work sheet-Art Make an animal out of shapes can be down to help give ideas for how to break down the shapes in an animals face.

Use a separate piece of paper to try drawing the monkey using the step by step diagrams  provided in the Arts booklet.

Arts Booklet - Week 3 or Green Sheets  attached.

Health & Wellbeing 

Physical Activity

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=thisisPE
During your “once a day” walk, why not gather some leaves and
make some patterns/collages
 

https://www.google.com/search?q=collage+making+with+dry+leaves&rlz=1C1GGRV_enGB751GB751
&oq=making+dry+leav&aqs=chrome.5.69i57j0l7.13364j0j8&
sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Lots of gardening ideas for all the family, with or without a garden! https://kidsgardening.org/garden-activities/

Pupils to draw ‘a map’ of their garden/ home. Obj: Parents/ carers/ siblings to hide objects around the set area for the students to find. Students are required to mark on the map the location of each item.

Minibeast Orienteering worksheet: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/T-T-019-Minibeast-hunt-sheet

ThisIsPE: Lots of easy games to be played at home.

Nike Move Crew: Fun dance and exercise ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nike+move+crew

Animal Athletics Team

Can you make an Athletics Team out of animals?

Think about each event individually and show your understanding of the events and animals by picking the right ones!

Think of/ watch films for ideas: Madagascar, Lion King, Jungle book.

Examples

100m - Quick.
Shot Putt – Strong.
Long Jump – Jumps a lot

Cross Curricular

PHSE

1)Create a ‘how to care for …….’ (pet/animal of your choice) profile. (All about a pet worksheet on Twinkl)

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/event/national-pet-month-202ve 
If you don’t have a pet or are struggling to pick an animal, why not draw and create an animal profile of Nala or Arlo? They would love to see what you create!

2) Caring for animals is so important! Many of the students have been able to spend time with school bunnies Gunner and Teddy, and dogs Nala, Arlo and Max and would be able to tell you lots about them. If you have seen the films Peter Rabbit, Chicken Run or Shaun the Sheep Movie there are wonderful powerpoints https://www.intofilm.org/resources/1468 with activities all film and animal care related!

Nala and Arlo would love to see any pet profiles and pictures you draw of animals so please email pictures over to petsastherapy@meadowhighschool.org for us to collate and create a collage.

Animals and Nature

Aims:  These tasks are designed to be done with your child. Purple coloured tasks are aimed at pupils who would enjoy more of a challenge .  These are tasks where pupils should be working with greater independence, however  please take time to support pupils in starting the tasks and build communication skills. 

Thinking

Literacy Focus

Completing extended research
over a range of texts.
Identifying and recording
key information in texts.
Writing an information leaflet.

Key Terms to try and learn: 

non-fiction = facts and information

fact = a true piece of information

fiction = made up/story

key information = the most important information

brief notes = are to help you remember key information. Notes should be just words/short phrases - not full sentences.  NB. You should be able to quickly scan and re-read.

paragraph = a short section of writing.

heading =  what the text is about.

sub-heading = what that section of text is about.

leaflet = a piece of paper giving information on a particular subject.

format = to organise or arrange a particular way for a particular type of text eg letter, newspaper article

structure = the way that the text is organised to help the reader.

style = the writer’s choice of words, sentence structure.

images =photos or illustrations

audience = is a person or group of people listening to or reading a text

First:   Speaking, Listening & Communication AND Writing: 

                         Wildlife Extended Research    [non-fiction texts]

Watch, discuss and make brief notes on TWO different animals.

Key skills to develop - listening carefully, identifying and recording key information in note form. 

Resources: Yellow workbook. For this task you will need to watch a section of a nature documentary.

Here are some suggestions but use any animal programme you like

Deadly and Dangerous Steve Backshall

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00kf6jh

Deadly 60 Steve Backshall  Click here for a wide range of animal video clips.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/deadly-60

Planet Earth II David Attenborough  This is a longer documentary but really good!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p048sflc/planet-earth-ii-1-islands

Next:  Read through the TWO example information leaflets

Gorilla Information Leaflet middle as

Gorilla Information Leaflet higher as

Focus:  Think about who the audience for these leaflets is; how does the writer change the format, content, style and use of  images?  Who do you think the audience for each text is?  Why?

Finally:  Use your notes to create your own information leaflet about ONE of the animals you researched.

Focus:  Who is your audience?  How will you edit your notes - what information will you include?  How will you structure the text and adjust the style to communicate the information you have learnt clearly?                    

Extra Study:     Writing a  letter [formal] to Paradise Wildlife Park to apply for a job as a keeper at their zoo.

1.  Watch the videos below to learn more about the job of a zookeeper.

A Day in the Life of Zoo Keeper at Paradise Wildlife Park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIjQ4tAi49M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMmErFORdJ

2.  Write a letter using the correct format,structure and style.                 

 Include your address so that they can write back, today’s date, why you are writing, why you would be good at the job, sign your name clearly

Maths Focus

• GCSE Maths revision topics

https://mathsmadeeasy.co.uk/gcse-maths-revision/

• Increasing and decreasing numbers by a percentage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjratsnlap8

• Calculating area

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiwGstMGdPs

• Calculating perimeter
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6Txi1zq8CM

Science Focus

Task: Make sun prints:

https://curiodyssey.org/activities/science-experiments-for-kids/
how-to-make-sun-prints/

Task: Make an invertebrate hotel:

https://curiodyssey.org/activities/science-experiments-for-kids
/how-to-make-an-invertebrate-hotel/

Predator and Prey:

Task: Research what a predator and what a prey is

Task: Create a list of animals and write down whether they are
predators or preys

Task: Using your list of animals create a food chain

Task: Interactive food chains:

Creativity

Cooking/Technology 

 ​​​​​Recommended Recipe: Wholly Cute Wholesome Oats

Making breakfast fun! Why not get your child to make their own breakfast. It can be made with porridge or weetabix and add fruit to make an owl (Suggested fruit: bananas, blueberries, raspberries, apples)

Key Skills: Encourage independence, slicing the fruit, arranging fruit to look like an owl.

Cooking Task: Like a bit more challenge? Choose from these animal themed recipes!

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/animal-shaped-foods/

Cooking Task: Why not make an animal inspired snack. Try to get your child to do one of these recipes independently.

https://www.mommynearest.com/article/10-easy-animal-themed-snacks-for-your-preschooler
 

Technology Task:
Zoo Themed STEM challenge! Design and make some of the buildings/ places you would have seen at the zoo.  https://www.sarajcreations.com/2017/03/zoo-themed-stem-activity.html

Drama / Arts

Task Focus: Making an animal kingdom

Key Information:

In art  we like to make props to inspire imagination and interacting with each other. Have a go making an animal from recycled materials

Task helpful clip to watch:

Art: Toilet paper animals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NRBJR7-aGQ

Materials Needed:

Old kitchen rolls or Microwaved toilet roll centres.

Scissors, a range of  the following (not all needed) :recycled packaging, glue, stapler or cellotape, string or wool, Cardboard, any old wrapping paper , tissue paper.

Ready Mix paint if possible but not necessary  water pot, Paint brush apron etc..)

Keywords:

Sounds, Animals,sculpture

Other optional tasks for wider learning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb6rxy_Lpx0

(These may need adult support)

Work Sheet provided in art booklet-

Draw the Rabbit or lion using the step by step shape drawing guide provided or have a go tracing the finished animal.

Health & Wellbeing 

Physical Activity

Fitness Blender: Build your own circuit training session

https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos

Nike Move Crew: Fun games and dance activities led by Nike athletes.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nike+move+crew

ThisIsPE: Updated 3 times a week.
Fun and easy activities to be done at home.
 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=thisisPE

Pupils to draw ‘a map’ of their garden/ home. Obj: Parents/ carers/siblings to hide objects around the set area for the students to find.  Students are required to mark on the map
the location of each item.

During your “once a day” walk, why not gather some leaves and make some patterns/collages

https://www.google.com/search?q=collage+making+with+dry+leaves&rlz=1C1GGRV_
enGB751GB751&oq
=making+dry+leav&aqs=chrome.5.69i57j0l7.13364j0j8&sourceid
=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Cross Curricular

PSHCE:
1)Create a how to care for ……. (pet/animal of your choice) profile.
(All about a pet worksheet on Twinkl)

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/event/national-pet-month-202ve 
If you don’t have a pet or are struggling to pick an animal, why not
draw and create an animal profile of Nala or Arlo? They would love to
 see what you create!

2)Caring for animals is so important which we all know. Many of the
 students were able to spend time with school bunnies Gunner and Teddy and would be able to tell you lots about them. If you have seen the films
 Peter Rabbit, Chicken Run or Shaun the Sheep Movie there are wonderful powerpoints https://www.intofilm.org/resources/1468 with activities all
film and animal care related!

Nala and Arlo would love to see any pet profiles and pictures you
draw of animals so please email pictures over to petsastherapy@meadowhighschool.org for us to collate and create a collage.