Stick insects and observational drawings were order of the day for Reception pupils during their exciting trip to the Prep School biology laboratory to meet science teacher Mr Brown.
Looking at pictures of different and interestingly shaped stick insects, they discussed why they might wish to look like a stick or leaf and be camouflaged. Mr Brown was very pleased when someone said, “they are hiding” and another child added, “they are trying to hide from predators”.
The children then went on to hold the stick insets and most agreed they were tickly. Mrs Rogers explained that she was asking the children to be ‘agile’ both by taking the risk of holding a stick insect and also by being curious about these fascinating insects.
Our Reception children have been learning about habitats and the visit to the biology lab was an extension to their learning. They answered questions about habitats for Mr Brown, talking about what an animal looks for when choosing a habitat: “seeds and worms,” one boy suggested which was right – as they look for food, and between the class they recalled water and shelter as well.
The children finished off by making an observational drawing of the butterflies on display on their tables. Mrs Rogers reminded them, “As you are drawing, keep checking what the butterflies look like, so you make your pictures as precise as possible. As you look and draw you are learning about the creatures as well.”
