Research key features of dinosaurs and how they are adapted to their environment; design your own dinosaur perfectly adapted to either the Triassic, Jurassic or Cretaceous period; create the structure, cover and paint your dinosaur model; finally, contribute to an ‘I Spy Dinosaurs’ class book and share your knowledge with other children.
Block G: Dinosaur DIY [4 sessions]
By the end of this block you will have achieved the following outcomes:
Session 1: Science and D&T
Dino DIY – Planning
Research key features of dinosaurs and then design a dinosaur perfectly adapted to either the Triassic, Jurassic or
Cretaceous period.
Session 2: Science and D&T
Dino DIY - Making
Working from a design plan, create the structure of your dinosaur.
Session 3: Science and D&T
Dino DIY - Painting
Research skin colours and textures of modern living things and apply your knowledge to create the most suitable surface for your dinosaur model.
Main outcome: Science
Other outcomes: D&T and English

Compare key features of dinosaurs from either the Triassic, Jurassic or
Cretaceous period (size, defence, diet, teeth, movement and skin colour).

Collate information about habitat, eating habits and ecosystem of dinosaurs from their chosen period.

Use their research knowledge to design a dinosaur perfectly adapted to suit the period and plan the dinosaur on paper, with labelled features.

Create a structure of a dinosaur, drawing on design plans, and knowledge of dinosaurs from the chosen period of the Mesozoic era.

Discuss their dinosaur’s adaptation to suit its environment.

Use their knowledge of skin colours and textures of modern living things and understand the role skin colour plays in the natural world.

Choose from a selection of materials to create and cover a dinosaur structure.

Apply this knowledge of skin colour to dinosaur design.

Act as palaeoartists and create a skin colour and texture fitting for their dinosaur’s behaviours (camouflage, warning).

Consider the characteristics and behaviours of their DIY dinosaur

Consider its place in the chosen landscape of the Mesozoic era
 Imagine their DIY dinosaur’s characteristics, including a ‘photograph’ and image of possible ‘footprint’ and list of characteristics, by writing a page of a class ‘I spy’ book
Children will

Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose.

Recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution.
Children will

Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose.

Recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution.
Children will

Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose.

Recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’) have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links, changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.

Session 4: Science and English
‘I spy’ a DIY Dino
Contribute to a class ‘ I Spy’ dinosaur book with photographs, list of characteristics and possible
‘footprints’.
Children will

To be able to identify the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting the appropriate form and using similar writing as models for their own.
 Recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution.
Session 1
Provided: Planning your dinosaur.
You will need:
Session 2
Provided: How to make a dinosaur resource.
You will need: Your dinosaur design; Pipe-cleaners; Scissors; Card; Tape; Air-drying clay; Modroc, or tissue paper and PVA glue.
Session 3
Provided: How to paint dinosaur skin.
You will need: Your dinosaur design; Paint; Thin paint brushes; Cotton wool buds.
Session 4
Provided: I spy sheets.
You will need: Video camera for the more able challenge.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’) have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links, changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.