During this term, our topic has been 'Paws, Claws and Whiskers' where we have been finding out about animals, particularly cats, with 'Paws, Claws and Whiskers' from around the world. We have been locating continents and the oceans, finding out about habitats and classifying animals.
Whilst we were in lockdown, we launched the topic with a great, if chaotic, class zoom where the children brought their pets along to join in. It was great fun and the children were also introduced to the webcams at Edinburgh Zoo.
Once the children were back in class in school, these
observations of Edinburgh Zoo continued with many viewings and very regular
updates throughout the day. We have been
watching the penguins, koalas and pandas being regularly cleaned and cared for
by the zookeepers. The tiger is around but not a daily
visitor although it has been superb to see
him basking in the Scottish sunshine.
The biggest highlight was when the children finally, after waiting
for the whole of this half of term, spotted the majestic lion in all his glory
with his amazing mane, huge teeth and big paws as he appeared on the
webcam - just at going home time
yesterday!!
Edinburgh Zoo have been amazing as we have been corresponding regularly over the past three weeks asking questions about the penguins' nests, the lions and finally this week they were able to provide the children with some fabulous answers to their questions in a Q&A session. As a result of these answers, it gave the children an insight into life as a zookeeper. So much so that the class were able to create instructions about how to be a zoo keeper with some great writing and suitable top tips being used! Many of the class have also been saying how they have been inspired to become zoo keepers ... so watch this space!!
We have also been looking at the fur and patterns of many of the big cat family, giraffes, tigers, zebras and cheetahs. We explored the patterns doing some close up observational drawings using pastels and oils. We then created a back ground for the animals and cut out the silhouette for the animal and placed it on the back ground. Here are some of the amazing results.
The children also made some board games based around the zoo which the children have enjoyed playing together this week. We have had some track games and others based on "Snakes and ladders". Some of the great games, (which you might see in the local toy shops if you look carefully) are "Trunks and necks" - based on elephant trunks and giraffe necks. Some of the track games included " A ride to the zoo" and "Rainbow zoo"
It has been great fun exploring and finding out about life at Edinburgh Zoo especially since being back in the classroom after lockdown. We have been enthralled with the webcams and watching and learning how the animals live. We have learnt a lot about animals with paws, claws and whiskers - a 'purrfect' way to end the topic!
Happy Easter from Class LH
