Introducing our first book in our new topic

Jeanne Willis is another of my favourite Authors. In previous years I have done a lot of work with her story of The Bog Baby. This is my first adventure with this story, however it is quite fitting for the start of our topic. I only hope that soon we will be able to experience this all in the classroom.

Share the cover together. Ask your child what they think the story may be about. Who do they think the character is on the front cover. What else can they see on the cover. What do they think the story may be about? (Record their answers if possible).

Look at the blurb together

Check out my first venture into YouTube and watch a video of The King of Tiny Things – read by Mrs Ryan

Which minibeasts can we find in our garden or out on a walk?

Introduction (This is how I would introduce topic to children) 

Start by asking children what they think an insect is, focusing on any accurate facts that come up to help explain the facts, that insects have three parts to their body – head, thorax and abdomen, six legs, antennae to smell and feel their way around and wings to fly with. Show pictures of bugs throughout the world in books, magazines or the Poster ‘Minibeasts’, below and invite children to bring in any pictures or books on bugs they may have at home. Ask child if they have ever had an itchy insect bite, giving children the opportunity to share their stories, and prompt child by asking questions like; who has seen a spider in their house? Have they ever seen ants in their house, and why do you think they came in? Read a selection of bug-related picture books, talking about the pictures and what they think might happen next. (W30-50a, b; 40-60a; ELGi, iii)

UtW/PSED

Go on a minibeast walk

WALT: Develop an awareness of which minibeasts can be found in the garden.

Divide the walk into distinct stages which focus on a different type of habitat e.g. grassy area, hedgerow, stone pile, rotting logs and old wall. At each place stop and encourage child to look for minibeasts, using the magnifiers (if you have one) to help them see tiny detail. Talk about searching at different levels, looking behind and under objects. Explain that many minibeasts prefer dark, damp environments and are camouflage. Encourage your child to lift bark away from old logs and to explore beneath leaves as well as on their surfaces. Discourage touching or collecting the minibeasts and explain that small animals can be easily damaged by handling and some, especially woodlice will quickly die if they are removed from their damp habitats.

Record the findings using photographs or draw pictures which can later be uploaded for your child to label and add captions to.

Key vocab: Insect, worm, slug, snail, woodlouse, spider, wings, leg, minibeast, habitat.

Maths

Have a go at these activities and write down your answers and email me. I have included a PDf version that you can either open up and look at or print out and use.