Holdenby - Key Stage 2 - Nature

Key Stage 2 - Nature Detectives

Aims of the day (with NC links):

To identify the different plants and animals found at Holdenby and assign them to groups (Science Sc2 4b)
To explore the animals found in two different habitats - a woodland and a wetland and how they are suited to their environment (Science Sc2 5b, c)
To learn new fieldwork skills (Geography 2b, c, 7c)
To enjoy being out in the countryside and to learn to care for it.

Welcome and introduction to the day - An introduction to Holdenby, what the children might expect to find, homes and habitats, animal groupings and the 'careful collectors code'.
Countryside Treasure Trail - Children go out with special treasure bags and follow the clues to discover the different plants and animals at Holdenby. This includes looking for animal signs such as animal tracks, food, bones and homes. Children play a game to help them classify the items they have found.
Woodland detective - Children explore the woodland to find the different mini-beasts that live there. Different habitats in the woodland are looked at - under logs, on trees and special bug traps. Children use identification keys to record their findings of creatures and group them in various habitats. Children choose one creature and explore how it is suited to its habitat using simple experiments.
Lunch
Pond detective - Students explore the Elizabethan pond habitat to find different creatures that live there. Identification keys are used to help children sort and classify their findings. Back in the classroom, children can find out how their creature is suited to its habitat and its adaptations.
Round up/question time - The last session to look at the findings from the day. Animals found in the different habitats can be compared. We finish with a game of 'Animal Consequences'.

Holdenby Countryside Education Centre, Holdenby, Northants. Tel: 01604 771279