Number 1010355
It's a Bugs Life
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Children and staff wait with anticipation for the official opening of the bug hotel |
The school aimed to develop the children's curiosity, knowledge and confidence about mini-beasts, enabling children in Year 2 to understand how mini-beasts are an important part of the local environment. This was the first time that the school has taught this area of the science curriculum to this age group and the project provided an opportunity to pilot creative teaching approaches. Pupils, staff and the practitioner created a wildlife garden in the school grounds - featuring a ‘mini-beast hotel' made from recycled wood, a water feature and sculptures.
The project included a visit to Townley Hall Museum and grounds in Burnley as inspiration for their work from which the children then made paintings, sculptures, models and costumes of insects. Each classroom had a mini beast zoo with stick insects, tadpoles, silkworms butterflies and a giant African land snail called Leila. The teachers also went out on a fact-finding visit to Blackpool Zoo to the Creepy Crawley Experience to learn how to set up, sustain and maintain their classroom mini-beast zoo.
Pupils said about the project:
"I can talk about where mini-beasts live and the different places around the world where they live."
"It's different - like a little treat every week."
The teachers said:
"The children have been creative every single week. The hands-on learning has been excellent. Children need to learn in a practical and creative way."
