Discovering Dinosaurs Facilitated Visit, designed for children in Key Stage 1 groups:

Learning Objectives:

  • Work scientifically to observe closely, use simple equipment, and perform simple tests.

  • Identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees.

  • Explore and talk about the type of marine fossils discovered in the Stroud District to broaden the scientific understanding of the world around us.

  • Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.

  • Use voices expressively and creatively by singing songs.

Activities during the day:

Morning In the morning 3 groups would usually rotate around these activities, spending approximately 30 mins on each:

Jurassic Walk. A short walk in the surrounding Stratford Park to consider how the landscape has changed since the time of the dinosaurs. Children will see examples of deciduous and evergreen trees, discuss what herbivore and carnivores eat and take part in a dinosaur footprint experiment.

Object Handling Session. A sensory investigation of a selection local marine fossils. Children will learn through handling fossils and will be supported to ask and answer questions.

Dinosaur and Fossil Discovery Trail. A chance for children to explore the museum galleries. Groups can use a printed trail prepared by the museum to explore the fossils on display in the museum collection. See the sharp teeth in the Steneosarus jaw and the huge bones of the Megalosaurus dinosaur, as well as ammonites and fish fossils.

Afternoon

In the afternoon 2 groups would swap between these activities, spending approximately 30 mins on each:

Skulls, teeth and food chains. Children will learn how teeth can tell us what dinosaurs and prehistoric marine reptiles ate and will create a simple food chain to describe how animals obtain food.

Dinosaur songs. Children will be encouraged to use their voices expressively and will be supported to learn themed songs and actions, designed to consolidate their learning.

At the end of the day, the whole group gathers, spending about 20 mins in total reviewing the day, what they have seen, done, and learnt.

Curriculum Links: Science, English

To find out more, including about charges and how to enquire about booking, please read the further information about Facilitated Visits.

If a Facilitated Visit isn’t quite right for your group, please read the information about our Exploring Rocks and Fossils Remote Learning Package.