Welcome to Week 2 of GO WILD!
Welcome to Week 2 or day 2 if you are having One Wild Week!
Just like last week we have all the resource links, running order suggestions, discussion topics, useful questions and additional links right here for you to access and share.
This week we are going back in time! We’ll be thinking geographically about how our native species got to the UK and discovering some of the biomes of the world. We looking back at the history of the zoo and world events during this time and getting physical with some animal record challenges.
So if you’re ready we’ve got a long journey to the last ice-age so…
Let’s go back in time!
GO WILD – Week 2 – Let’s Go Back in Time! – RESOURCE PACK
Resource pack includes:
- Week 2 – Step-by-step Guide for Educators
- Printable resources
- Links to video content
WEEK 2: LET’S GO BACK IN TIME!
STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS
Step 1: Introduction Video
Today’s introduction video will take your pupils back to the ice age. We will introduce the terms native and non-native as well as biome. And we will ask your pupils to start thinking about the impact of humans on the landscape.
To start the session, play our video to introduce this week to your learners.
Resources & links:
Step 2: Get outside and moving
In the video you have just watched we explained how animals were able to use the land bridge that existed during the ice-age to move to areas that have since become inaccessible.
One group of animals that have not been stopped from moving in and out of the UK though are the birds. Many of our common garden birds belong to a group of birds known as passerines (or songbirds). The easiest way to tell if a bird is a passerine is to look at their feet. Challenge your pupils to identify the passerines in our passerine vs non-passerine quiz.
- Share Passerine vs non-passerine resource
Many of our native passerines have beautiful colours and patterns. Ask your pupils to investigate the different colours and patterns of the songbirds around them and then create their own bird using our origami template and video (they will be able to learn a little about songbirds from other parts of the world too while they do this).
- Share Origami songbird collection and/or (simpler) origami songbird collection
Last week your pupils will have read the swift native species fact file, a record breaking bird staying in the air for up to 10 months at a time. They are seasonal visitors to the UK but not the only amazing mover that we have here. Challenge your pupils to our UK record breakers physical and maths challenge how do they measure up against some of our amazing native species?
- Share UK record breakers challenge
Resources & links:
Step 3: Investigate biomes, habitats and land use
It’s time for your pupils to find out a bit more by completing our biome, habitats and land use activity.
- Share biome activity
Resources & links:
Biomes activity
Step 4: History of the zoo
We work really hard to protect native species as well as exotic species here at Chester Zoo but where did it all begin? This next video will give your pupils the opportunity to find out.
- Share the History of the zoo introduction video
After watching the video challenge your pupils to the Chester Zoo history comprehension to learn about some events that have taken place since we opened.
- Share Chester Zoo History Quiz
You can then task them with the world event activity and think about how these events may have affected the zoo.
- Chester Zoo History Timeline Activity
Resources & links:
Step 5: Design your own zoo
So you’ve seen how the Mottersheads did it, now it’s your pupils turn to create their own zoo. They can use our interactive map for inspiration. Will they choose an international collection or a local one? As an extension why not ask your pupils to justify the species that they have chosen to look after in their zoos or think about their zoo uniform or shop and café products.
- Share Chester zoo interactive map
- Share Design your own zoo activity
Resources & links:
Step 6: Getting it right for your animals
We need to make sure that we provide exactly what our animals and plants need here at the zoo, as will your pupils in their zoo. So let’s start with the reptiles and amphibians.
Here in the UK we have 13 species of reptiles and amphibians. We have three species of snakes, three lizards, three newts and four species of frogs/toads. Watch the heat and light video then ask your pupils to choose one of these UK species to research and then complete the heat and light activity for it.
- Share UV Light and Heat for Reptiles [VIDEO]
- Share Heat and UV Light Activity
You can then move on to the aquarium. Watch the aquarium science video then complete the science investigation (this can be done as a demonstration if resources are not available for all pupils).
- Share the Aquarium Science at Chester Zoo [VIDEO]
- Share the Science Aquarium Activities
Resources & links:
UV Light and Heat for Reptiles [VIDEO]
Step 7: Get outdoors
A great way to wind down, after all of today’s hard work, would be to get outdoors and complete a wildlife survey. Your pupils could repeat the same survey that they did last time (make sure to make a note of the time to help spot any patterns in the future) or try a new one.
- Share survey resources
Resources & links:
15 minute ideas for immersing yourself in local nature
(Resource created by our partners, RECORD)
Step 8: And finally…
We really hope you’ve enjoyed this second session of our Go Wild programme and are looking forward to session 3. We would love to hear and see what you and your pupils have got up to today, so don’t forget to share this with us and inspire other educator colleagues.
Join our Conservation Education & Engagement Facebook Community Group
Use #GoWildwithCZ
Before you go…
Just a reminder before you go that if any of your pupils have questions or if you would like to delve a little deeper into the subject…
We have created a Go Wild Virtual Workshop to complement this programme. The session delves a little deeper into the world of our native species and the conservation work that is going on at Chester Zoo. We have designed this interactive session to fit in at any stage of the programme.
We also have our 25 minute Ask Chester Zoo workshops that are perfect to give your pupils the opportunity to ask any questions to us that may arise during the course of your Go Wild project.