PR-0552UK Primary Science - Book 2

Minibeast hunt
Caring for my locality ~ Activity 2
Objective
• observe and develop an
awareness of living things in a
range of habitats in local and
wider environments
Working scientifically
• Questioning
• Observing
• Predicting
• Investigating and experimenting
• Recording and communicating
Designing and making
• Exploring
• Making
Background information
The purpose of this topic is to
use a small animal or insect
to develop observation and
experimenting skills in the pupils.
The animal selected is secondary in
importance; however, the following
guidelines should be adhered to
and made clear to pupils.
(i) All care should be taken when
observing and collecting
minibeasts.
(ii) If minibeasts are to be collected,
suitable storage should be used
and the minibeasts released as
soon as activities are complete.
(iii) Collect only enough minibeasts
as required.
(iv) Some insects can sting. Avoid
direct contact at all times.
Minibeasts suitable for this topic
include worms, slugs, snails,
woodlice, grasshoppers, beetles,
flies, caterpillars, butterflies.
Before the lesson
Materials needed
• Jars with lids, nets, clipboards, notepaper, reference materials for use in
identifying minibeasts.
Preparation
• Identify suitable locations in the school environment to collect and observe a
variety of minibeasts.
• Organise pupils in groups.
The lesson
Stimulus
• Explain to pupils that the lesson will entail going on a ‘hunt’ to observe and
collect a variety of minibeasts. Discuss with the pupils the definition of minibeasts
and explain clearly their correct treatment.
What to do
• Review the worksheet so pupils are aware of the recording needed. During the
hunt, notes and diagrams should be recorded on notepaper.
• Have pupils go to an allocated area and observe and collect two different
minibeasts.
• Each group returns to class and completes the worksheet, transferring notes
and drawing a picture.
• Discuss the findings and observations of each group. Identify minibeasts collected
and decide if it is possible to keep the insects for further observation or whether
they should be returned to the environment.
After the lesson
Answers
• Teacher check
Additional activities
• Classify the different minibeasts into categories based on shape, size, movement,
colour etc.
• Build adequate shelters for selected minibeasts.
Viewing Sample
Display ideas
• Take photographs of pupils ‘hunting’ and observing minibeasts. Display the
completed worksheets with the photographs and a caption written by the
pupils.
102 PRIMARY SCIENCE ~ Prim-Ed Publishing ~ www.prim-ed.com