In this unit children explore a variety of ways to identify, sort, group and classify living things. They learn how animals are split into ‘vertebrates’ and ‘invertebrates’ and begin to consider the differences between living things within these classifications. They use and create classification keys to group, identify and name living things from the local habitat and beyond. This unit also introduces children to the idea that environments are subject to man-made and natural changes, and that these changes can have a significant impact on living things. Throughout the unit children work scientifically by gathering, recording and presenting information in different ways.

Wider Learning

 

Go Online: Food Chains and Habitats - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zbnnb9q

 

Watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxrlEajA398

 

Watch it: Animal habitats and adaptation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/z3hxpv4

 

Go Online: Activities and information on habitats - https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/teacher-category/habitats/

 

Visit: The Natural History Museum - https://www.nhm.ac.uk/

 

Explore: Go on a Mini-beast hunt!

 

Visit: Horniman Museum and Gardens - Follow their Animal Walk and you’ll see alpacas, goats, guinea pigs, and more, with the chance to get up close. Inside, their excellent little aquarium plays host to shoals of fishes, along with colourful frogs and jellyfish. To top it all off, you can take a stroll through their butterfly house - https://www.horniman.ac.uk/

 

Go Online: Activities and presentations that can be downloaded to learn about animals, habitats, classification and adaptation - https://www.outstandingscience.co.uk/index.php?action=view_page&page=view_unit&unit=4a

 

Visit: London Wetlands Centre - https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/

 

Visit: Visit a safari park or zoo to learn more about animal habitats at first hand.

London Zoo - https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

Paradise Wildlife Park - https://www.pwpark.com/

SEA LIFE London Aquarium - https://www.visitsealife.com/london/

Woburn Safari Park - https://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/

Butterfly Farm - https://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/

The Big Cat Sanctuary - https://thebigcatsanctuary.org/

Port Lympne Safari Park - https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/

 

Read: 

- A Day and Night in the Amazon Rainforest by Caroline Arnold

- Habitats (Moving up with Science) by Peter Riley

- Rain Forest Animal Adaptations by Lisa Amstutz

- Polar Animal Adaptations by Lisa Amstutz

- Desert Animal Adaptations by Julie Murphy

- Ocean Animal Adaptations by Julie Murphy

- Exploding Ants: Amazing Facts About How Animals Adapt by Joanne Settel