Morning!
I hope everybody is enjoying their long weekend. Remember that today is a bank holiday so feel free to take the day off, or if you like just do some reading or challenges from any week of the blog.
A quick correction from our classmate catch up on Friday. It seems Elliot broke his wrist running in the woods rather than climbing on a tree - sorry for the mix up Elliot, I wouldn't like to be publishing any FAKE NEWS!
I had a lovely (QUIET) weekend mostly spent in my garden or out on walks close to my house.
I know we all got some news about schools on Friday. Remember that even though schools are closed I am still your teacher and I am here for you. Please feel free to ask me any questions, show me any work you are proud of or share your news with me. I feel very lucky that it is my job and I love hearing from you all.
Usually in the month of May we would celebrate the Biodiversity of our school environment. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life. It is seen in the number of species in an ecosystem. Can you remember what an ecosystem is? If you need to refresh watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKJoXdrOT70
Here are some activities for you to get outdoors and explore the other living things in your environment. I would love to see any drawings or photos of what you find. You could even keep a biodiversity journal of all the activities you do over the month.
Remember you don’t need a printer or anything fancy to do these activities…..good spy eyes, a keen sense of smell, good listening ears, and patience is really all you need!
MINIBEAST HUNT
Be a detective and see can you spot the creatures in your garden, balcony, park?
Draw pictures or write a list of what you find. If you have a printer you can get recording/reference sheets here:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/media/48349/minibeast-hunt.pdf
http://botanicgardens.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Spring-Nature-Hunt.pdf
TREE IDENTIFICATION
What trees are growing around you? Can you be an observer and an investigator by looking at leaves, twigs and branches to identify them. Do some rubbings of the leaves with crayon or pencil. Describe the leaves and braches. These words might help you...
Broad, narrow, long, short, small, smooth, bumpy, furry, flat, wide, ridged, veined, fragrant, glossy, pointed, shiny.
These 2 identification keys may be useful
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/media/48347/twig-id-sheet.pdf
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/media/48345/leaf-id-sheet.pdf
GARDEN VISITORS
How many of these birds are visiting your garden, park or neighbourhood? You may see some new visitors now that the streets are quieter? Why is this?
Take a look at this poster - can you spot any of these birds in your local area?
http://birdwatchcork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Challenge-ID-Poster.pdf
BUG TRAP
Make a trap to collect tiny creatures. Dig a hole in the ground, big enough to fit a glass jam jar.
Put a little soil and grass and leaves at the bottom of the jar and place it in the hole so that the top of the jar is level with the ground. Put a piece of plastic or wood on a couple of sticks to stop the rain from getting in while leaving space for insects to get in. Leave it overnight and then see what you have caught.
Record what you have found: How many legs have they got? What colour are they? Have they got antennae?
Make sure to release your captives after you have investigated!
What trees are growing around you? Can you be an observer and an investigator by looking at leaves, twigs and branches to identify them. Do some rubbings of the leaves with crayon or pencil. Describe the leaves and braches. These words might help you...
Broad, narrow, long, short, small, smooth, bumpy, furry, flat, wide, ridged, veined, fragrant, glossy, pointed, shiny.
These 2 identification keys may be useful
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/media/48347/twig-id-sheet.pdf
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/media/48345/leaf-id-sheet.pdf
GARDEN VISITORS
How many of these birds are visiting your garden, park or neighbourhood? You may see some new visitors now that the streets are quieter? Why is this?
Take a look at this poster - can you spot any of these birds in your local area?
http://birdwatchcork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Challenge-ID-Poster.pdf
BUG TRAP
Make a trap to collect tiny creatures. Dig a hole in the ground, big enough to fit a glass jam jar.
Put a little soil and grass and leaves at the bottom of the jar and place it in the hole so that the top of the jar is level with the ground. Put a piece of plastic or wood on a couple of sticks to stop the rain from getting in while leaving space for insects to get in. Leave it overnight and then see what you have caught.
Record what you have found: How many legs have they got? What colour are they? Have they got antennae?
Make sure to release your captives after you have investigated!
MAKE A FLOWER PETAL COLLAGE
With permission, collect different coloured and sized flower petals and leaves. Assemble them to make a collage.
MAKE CLOUD STORIES
When the weather is sunny, with nice white clouds passing over, lie on the grass with your family or on your own and look up at the sky. It is fun to see different shapes like faces, animals or and objects and make up stories! You could record one of your stories by writing it, drawing it, telling it or videoing it. Be creative!
Most importantly, have a lovely week!
Ms Monahan :-)
cmonahan@newtownprimary.ie