Good morning Robins. I hope you have enjoyed your weekend and taken part in some fun activities with your family at home. The weather has been a little mixed, but there have been plenty of dry spells in between a few showers. Yesterday we managed to have a long walk across some fields around our village. While out, we saw and heard plenty of birds and enjoyed looking in the hedgerows at all the wild flowers, May blossom and tiny insects on the leaves.
This week, we are starting a short topic on minibeasts, which is called Really Looking at Minibeasts! After initially finding out about minibeasts and their habitats, I want you to look for them in your garden, or when having a walk in the countryside, before moving on in subsequent days to read and write poems about minibeasts. To begin this work, I would like you to look at the following PowerPoint and read the insect information cards.
There are minibeasts all around us. When we look for minibeasts, we should remember that they are small animals. The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have advice on developing a minibeast code when looking for tiny creatures in our gardens. These are the points that could be included in a code:
- Show respect for animals and the places where they live.
- Never handle animals – draw pictures instead.
- Move slowly and quietly so you do not disturb the animals.
- Leave animals’ homes exactly as you found them. If you turn over rocks and logs put them back the way you found them
- Do not drop litter.
- Keep to marked paths and trails.
- Stay safe at all times.
Can you consider the above points and write your own code on the following sheet, which you can then follow when looking for minibeasts in your garden, or when visiting the countryside in your local area.
Can you now go on a minibeast hunt in your garden and see how many different tiny creatures you can find. Complete the following tally sheet.
Perhaps you can draw some of the minibeasts you have seen in your garden. Remember, to look really carefully, noticing the colour of the minibeasts and any delicate features. You may also fancy creating a block graph with the information on your tally sheet. Here are some sheets of squared paper, which you can use for a block graph. Remember how we structured block graphs in maths and science lessons – you need a title and to label the vertical and horizontal axes.
I now have a minibeast comprehension activity for you. There are three different versions, so decide with your adult which one you wish to tackle.
There is one final minibeast activity today. Can you make a Fingerprint Minibeast Garden? Here are the instructions.
The ‘White Rose Maths’ lessons continue this week with addition and subtraction bonds to 20.
I hope you enjoy working through these activities, but remember to have some fun time when you relax and play, or read a book.
