Science Year 1
Identify and name a variety of common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles birds and mammals
Identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
Describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals
Observe closely
Identify and classify
Organise visit to local pastoral farm (springtime is good because of lambs, etc.). Suitable clothing, footwear
& picnic lunches. Access to internet.
Optional: Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell, ISBN: 978-0744536607, materials for creating collages, glue, scissors
Organise a visit to a local pastoral farm if possible. Send out permission letters in advance and arrange for extra adults to accompany you. Discuss visit with children beforehand. What animals do they think they might see? What do those animals
eat? (Carnivore, herbivore or omnivore?) Have children visited a farm before? What did they see? What are the animals
reared/used for? Wool, eggs, meat, milk, cheese, etc. Perhaps someone in the class lives on a farm and could describe their farm… Talk about being kind to the animals, washing their hands after touching any animals, listening to instructions, etc. Also discuss suitable clothing depending on the weather forecast, e.g. sun hats & sun cream for sunny weather, suitable footwear for rough/muddy ground, wellies & waterproofs for wet weather, warm tops &/or coats for cool weather, etc. If you are taking picnics, ensure that children understand they must not eat anything at the farm except in the designated picnic areas & after they have washed their hands.
A fun interactive site about staying safe on farm visits can be found at http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/farmvisits/ .
Possible farms to visit can be found online at e.g. http://www.farmsforschools.org.uk/ , http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/ , http://www.ukagriculture.com/farms_to_visit/farms_to_visit.cfm
, http://www.soilassociation.org/visitanorganicfarm , http://www.foodforlife.org.uk/Whatyoucando/Visitafarm.aspx
or http://www.growingschools.org.uk/ . These organisations bring the farm to you – see http://www.cuddle-me-do.co.uk/ or http://www.themobilefarmexperience.co.uk/ .
Adult-led activity:
Prepare a few activities for children to undertake at the farm you are visiting (this will be dependent on what is available to see at the farm and the time of year), e.g. drawing one of the animals, listing the sorts of animals they see, noting what the animals are eating (perhaps some cloze sentences with words to be selected and added), if a map/plan of the farm is available – children can mark where they went. Perhaps there will be a farm trail or feeding times to ensure you watch. Various suggestions can be found at: http://www.face-online.org.uk/activities/early-years-and-primary . Afterwards children could write thank you letters (to the farmer & adult helpers), as well as recounts, descriptions, etc.
Independent activity:
Back in the classroom & in small groups children act out some of the activities they found out about on the farm.
If it is not possible for you to visit a farm:
Adult-led activity:
Work through the various sections at http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/Sheet.aspx?siteId=14&sectionId=63&contentId=145 and discuss with children which animals are reared on farms & why. There are activities, photographs, videos, etc. And/or take an online tour of different food sources/farms at http://www.eathappyproject.com/online-field-trips/ .
Adult-led activity:
Various resources and activities are available at http://education.rspca.org.uk/education/teachers/lessonplans/ks1/details/-
/articleName/EDU_KS1_Farmanimals_FarmerDucksdayoff for KS1 children to learn about the needs of farm animals on Farmer
Duck’s day off. Before tackling this read Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell to the class.
Adult-led activity:
Children visit http://www.kbears.com/farm/sunflower/index.html
and explore the farm. Adult help needed to ensure they can find their way around as there are lots of links!
Independent activity:
Children create a collage of their favourite farm animal using a variety of materials (think about textures as well as colours).
Independent activity:
Children tackle Jack’s Games on the ASDA site above.
Discuss some more unusual farm animals, e.g. llamas, deer, ostriches, turkeys, geese. Why are these animals farmed?
1. Understand how to keep safe on a farm.
2. List which animals are commonly found on farms.
3. Explain why particular animals are farmed.
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