Year 1

Dinosaur Poo a Science and Geography linked lesson

This idea was for a Year 1 class working on the topic of dinosaurs. The Science unit for the term was:- Working Scientifically, Observing and identifying and Plants: Identifying some common evergreen plants. Also Animals:- looking at herbivores 

The lesson also covered Geography:- using maps to locate places. 

We looked at what evergreen bushes grow on the school grounds. We then got a map of the grounds off Google Earth.

We made ‘dinosaur poo’ using salt dough with oats and small seeds in and a bit of coffee colouring. We then collected leaves from the bushes and mixed them into lumps of the dough.

We had taken photos of the leaves and created an identification sheet. The children then explored the poo and took out the leaves. They used magnifying glasses to match the leaves to the identification pictures.

The children then recorded the leaves they had matched.  Finally they took the map and as a group we       directed each other to the locations and then used the identification key again to identify the bush the leaves had come from.    

Year 2

Year 2 used compass direction as part of their pirate theme day work, looking for hidden treasure around the school

This then helped them to follow route maps when they went on a Trust event day to Trentham Gardens.

As a cross curricular link, Year 2 produced art work based on skylines. They compared the skyline in London to one of Longton.

The children also enjoy studying islands and locating the UK and the seas and oceans around it. They are always surprised to learn that the Uk is made up of several countries who all have their own identities.

Year 3

As part of their topic on Anglo Saxons, Year 3 visit Stoke Minster. They look at the landscape and discuss why the Anglo Saxons moved there. They then use maps and plans to look for grave stones linked to key historical people of Stoke.

The field trip for Year 3 is to Llandudno. The children look at what a coastal town is like and compare it to Stoke. They look at things like the types of businesses, the environment and the physical and human features.  

The children in Year 3 also look at the local environment and industry. They research our local coal mines and why Stoke On Trent had so many. They look at the human impact the mines had on the environment and why they were so important in developing the Potteries.

Year 5

Year 5 take part in a field trip to Lud’s church. This is a natural hollow in the rocks in the peak district. It is linked to the medieval myth, The Green Knight. The children look at how the hollow was formed, the rocks it is made from and what a countryside environment is like. 

Year 6

Year 6 take part in their residential trip to Sandon Bowers. Whilst there they take part in orienteering courses, where they use maps and compass points to locate points around the site.

They also take part in a mine tour and walk around the Alderley Edge. Here they build on their previous work from Y3 and Y5 work as they look at the manmade mine and the impacts human have had on a natural environment.