Teaching and Activities
Children will:
- Gain geographical knowledge of the Galapagos Islands.
- Search the internet effectively.
- Create a fact-file on the Galapagos Islands.
Oceans and Seas
The Galapagos Islands and Charles Darwin
Enter the world of famous naturalist Darwin and his discoveries. Research the Galapagos Islands and create a fact-file. Meet Darwin, learn about adaptations, create Naturalist’s Notebooks similar to those of Darwin. Collect plant samples, make sketches and notes like a real naturalist. Make a documentary to introduce others to the world of Darwin.
Session 1 Where in the world?
Objectives
Geography
- Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places, both terrestrial and marine.
- Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, globes and aerial photographs.
- Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to key physical features, including ‘volcano’, ‘vegetation’, ‘season’ and ‘weather’.
Computing
- Use search technologies for locating information.
Provided Resources
- We Are Island Explorers presentation
- Research prompts
- Research prompt table
You Will Need
- Magnifying glasses (optional)
- Computers or tablets with internet access
Weblinks
Session 2 Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
Objectives
Geography
- Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places, both terrestrial and marine.
- Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, globes and aerial photographs.
- Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to key physical features, including ‘volcano’, ‘vegetation’, ‘season’ and ‘weather’.
Science
- Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other.
English
- Choose relevant information to create a non-fiction non-chronological report.
Teaching and Activities
Children will:
- Know the animals that are unique to The Galapagos Islands.
- Create a naturalist’s notebook containing information on animal adaptation.
Provided Resources
- Adaptation presentation
- Charles Darwin’s notebook
- Folded book template
- Folded book instructions
- Galapagos animals fact sheet
- The adaptation song
You Will Need
- Computers or tablets with internet access
Weblinks
David Attenborough on marine iguanas − YouTube clip
Information about animals that live on the Galapagos Islands from galapagosconservation.org.uk
Session 3 Meeting Mr Darwin
Objectives
Geography
- Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places, both terrestrial and marine.
History
- Gain knowledge of the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.
English
- Adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in role.
- Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a variety of situations and for a variety of role-play situations.
Science
- Understand the adaptation of plants.
Teaching and Activities
Children will:
- Gain knowledge of an important person from history.
- Understand the work of naturalists and the impact they made on today.
Provided Resources
- Following in Darwin’s footsteps (from RGB Kew)
You Will Need
- Naturalist notebooks (from session 2)
Weblinks
The great plant hunt from greatplanthunt.org
Charles Darwin's visit to the Galapagos Island from sciencechannel.com
Session 4 A naturalist's records
Objectives
Geography
- Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places, both terrestrial and marine.
Art
- Use a range of materials creatively to design
- Use drawing to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
History
- Gain knowledge of the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.
Teaching and Activities
Children will:
- Understand the importance of Darwin’s records.
- Experiment with different sketching techniques.
Provided Resources
- Darwin, naturalist and artist presentation
- Darwin’s tortoises
- Shading and tonal techniques
- Shading and tonal techniques grid
You Will Need
- Drawing pencils
- Sketch paper
Weblinks
There are no weblinks needed for this session.
Session 5 Darwin is the 'new' David Attenborough!
Objectives
History
- Gain knowledge of the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.
Design and Technology
- Design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design.
- Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks.
English
- Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a variety of situations and for a variety of role-play situations.
Teaching and Activities
Children will:
- Use design and making skills to make a theatre and puppets.
- Collaborate in role as characters in a puppet show.
Provided Resources
- Darwin’s story
- Puppet theatre background
- Puppet images
- How to make a shoebox theatre
- How to make stick puppets
You Will Need
- A £10 note
- A globe
- Wooden skewers or craft straws
- Shoeboxes
- White card
- Small wooden beads
- Craft knife
- Cutting mat
Weblinks
David Attenborough's introduction to the Galapagos − YouTube clip
David Attenborough on giant tortoises − YouTube clip