Plants, Trees and Natural Processes

Focus: Plant life, ecosystems, life cycles, conservation

Tricky Trees

Knowledge - Independent thinking - Teamwork

The aim of this this 2-hour session (best aligned with the key stage 2 curriculum) is to understand the 7 life processes through the context of trees. The children will be given a scenario based on the centre losing some of its trees due to construction work on the site. They will need to be eco-warriors to help us save these trees. Children will have an opportunity to investigate the 7-life processes common in all living things.

The session will start with a dramatic ‘build a tree’ activity which will cover lots of related vocabulary, before moving onto research stations. This knowledge will then be used within an activity in the conservation area, requiring children to identify and find specific trees. To find the correct tree children will use maps with co-ordinates or grid referencing.

Harry Humus

Communication – Teamwork - Knowledge

This session is based on the story of Harry Humus, a particle of matter, and his journey through the cycle of matter. During this 2-hour session, children carry out a sequence of activities following ‘Harry’ through time. These are: discussing the Big Bang, volcanoes and weathering on rocks; looking closely at soil; build-a-tree drama; bat-moth games; listening to birds; and food chains.

This session is best aligned with the key stage 2 curriculum.

Tree Study

Knowledge – Teamwork - Independent thinking

The aim of this 1-hour session is to observe, study and record different aspects of trees. The children will learn about different features of trees and how to identify different species. We will take and record a range of measurements and look at the health of different trees. This session is best aligned with the key stage 2 curriculum.