Work together and present learning
Learning and understanding are enhanced by opportunities to talk to others about what we are doing. Encourage pupils to work in pairs and small groups and encourage adults to join in!
There should be collaboration on meaningful study, working in small groups. This will relate directly to the purpose of the visit. Each group might have a different enquiry to conduct, or a different part of a shared class enquiry. Plan times during the day and places to meet as a class and share what has been done so far. There are picnic spots, shelters and areas of lawn all over the zoo which could accommodate the whole class. We also recommend the Birds of the World and Sea lion Splash demonstrations as opportunities to rest while admiring the beauty and skills of some of these stunning animals.
Students should prepare a presentation for an audience to use their learning. This gives a real purpose to their research and exercises understanding as well as literacy and presentation skills. It might be a written piece, art work, a recording or a live presentation. An audience of parents, other classes at school or the headteacher will probably know less than the students about the subject of their enquiry and would make good audiences. Groups could use their own collections of photographs, drawings and 'found objects' to illustrate this.
Links to useful materials coming soon!
