Peppered Moth
Lesson 1 – Lower Key Stage 2
Starter Activity
• Here are three definitions of what
camouflage is – in pairs discuss
which one you think is correct?
1
2
3
To make smaller or less or to cause
to appear so.
The natural colouring or form of an
animal which helps it to blend in
with its surroundings.
To stop being visible, to vanish
Starter activity
1 To make smaller or less or to
cause to appear so. (diminish)
2 The natural colouring or form of
an animal which helps it to
blend in with its surroundings.
3 To stop being visible, to vanish
(disappear)
The Peppered Moth
• Today, we are going to
find out about a very
special animal, that used
camouflage to help it
survive where there were
changes in the quality of
local air
• But first, let’s see if you
can spot the camouflaged
animals
Camouflaged animals
• Here are some examples of animals that use
camouflage to not be seen clearly
• Can you see them on the following pages?
Cheetah (look closely to find the spots)
Camouflaged Lizard
Flat fish
Deer (Kudu)
Chameleon
ZEBRAS
OCTOPUS
RATTLESNAKE
Camouflaged animals
• In pairs think about “Why might these animals
need camouflage?”
Peppered Moth story
• Read the Peppered Moth
story
• Fill in the blanks
• When everyone has
finished
– Read out the sentences
– Why do you think
camouflage is so
important to the
Peppered Moth?
Peppered Moth results
Hopefully you will have seen the following:
Simulation questions
• What did the simulations show
you?
• If you were a light-coloured
Peppered moth which forest or
places would be better for you to
live in?
• If you were a dark-coloured
Peppered moth which forest or
places would be better for you to
live in?
Peppered Moth classroom experiment
(non-ICT)
• We are going to carry out an
experiment to show you
why the Peppered Moth
changed colour
• What we need:
– Black, Grey and White sugar
paper (A2)
– Lots of hole punched circles
in black, grey and white
– Volunteers (all of you)!
What do we need to do?
• Lay the three A2 sheets on tables
next to each other with cups
next to them
• Put an equal mix of the punched
out discs on the sheets
• Line up in a row
• Each child goes to each sheet
and picks up a disc and places in
the cup next to it
• Go to the back of the row
Results
• In your tables count
how many discs of
each colour were
found in your cups
• How many are there?
• In pairs, discuss why
you got the results
you did?
Peppered Moth experiment results
• Are the results what
you expected?
• Why are the results
different for each
background?
Why is the Peppered Moth important?
• The Peppered Moth is called an
indicator species, because it
indicates if somewhere is
polluted
• We can all help to keep the air
clean
• In pairs, discuss with your
partner what you think you can
do to reduce pollution in the
air
Films about dirty air
• Walking, cycling or scooting are good for
the air as they do not create dirty air,
which is also called air pollution, whereas
cars do make air pollution!
Here are a couple of short films which talk
about dirty air – also known as air pollution
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/airpollution-in-london/6010.html (vehicles
and air pollution) - 01:12
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/airpollution-in-london/6049.html (air
pollution in London) - 01:51
Peppered Moth activity
• We’re going to measure how we travel to
school using the Peppered Moth
Peppered Moth outline
• We will be using
different coloured
stickers for different
ways of getting to
school
• You’ll stick your sticker
to the moth each day to
show how you travelled
to school
Transport sticker codes
Discussion Questions
• Ask the children in pairs or in
tables to discuss some or all of
the following questions:
– How do you think animals like
zebras or tigers became
camouflaged in their
environment?
– If you had a Peppered Moth from
before the factories were built and
one from now, which one would
be lighter, and which one darker in
colour? Why?
Plenary
• BIG QUESTION – What is
the link between
animals camouflaging
themselves and air
pollution?
– What information do you
need to recall and explain
to answer this question?