Hi, my name is Lorraine and I’ve been teaching for 16 years in a boys school. I currently teach in an MGLD class. I love teaching science in my class as despite all of the children in my class being at different levels and having different needs, it is the one subject that interests them all. My favourite space fact is that one million Earths could fit inside the Sun – and the Sun is considered an average-size star, puts things into perspective!
One lesson I have completed in my class this year was learning about penguins and how they keep warm
Living Things> Plants and Animals
Know the characteristics of animals living in a cold environment
The original lesson came about after penguins came up in discussion in class from a boy who had watched a movie in which there was a penguin. We first brainstormed what we already knew about penguins and recorded as a class. We then completed the lesson, learning facts about penguins and watching a short video about penguins. I ensured that all the language in the video was pitched an appropriate level for my class. The children then were given the opportunity to share their favourite fact.
As an extension of this lesson we investigated how animals in colder environments keep warm. Our first activity was to examine photos of penguins and polar bears and list the physical things that could keep these creatures warm. Their fur and feathers act like a coat.
We then discussed the layer of fat some animals have to keep them warm. In order to demonstrate this I asked the pupils to dip their fingers into a bowl of iced water, covering one finger with fat and one without and describing the results. This is a fun way for the children to get involved and they really enjoyed it.