Year 2 Science Living Things and their Habitats – Block 2LvH – Gardens and Allotments

Session 2:Making a Micro-Habitat
Science curriculum area(2LvH): / Contents
Living Things and their Habitats (2LvH)
i. identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other
ii. identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
iii. 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
Working Scientifically (KS1 WS) / Working Scientifically (KS1 WS)
i) asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
ii) observing closely, using simple equipment
iii) performing simple tests
iv) identifying and classifying
v) using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
vi) gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
Teaching Objectives /
  • To observe living things in their habitat, consider why they are there and how they are surviving.
  • To review the allotment and consider if there are any other mini-beasts the allotment would benefit from and why. Consider how to create micro-habitats to encourage these mini-beasts.
  • To understand that different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of mini-beasts and plants and that they depend on each other.
  • To plan and create micro-habitats with the right conditions to attract specific living things.

Key Vocabulary:growth, germination, planting, edible, mini-beasts, habitats
Resources
‘Good insects for our allotment sheet’, magnifying glasses, clipboards, paper, cameras, materials for making bug habitats - pine cones, dried leaves, sticks and twigs, crates or wooden boxes, plastic bottles. / Weblinks
-List of garden mini-beasts; -How to make your allotment a haven for beneficial insects.
Before the session:Collect materials for making bug habitats - pine cones, dried leaves, sticks and twigs,
crates/wooden boxes.
Whole class:Organise the chn into teams, give the team leader a clipboard and paper and take them outside to inspect and explore the allotment. Ask the teams to discuss together what they see and to write it on the paper. Encourage them to observe how well the plants have grown, if there has been any damage to the plants, if the bird scarers are working sufficiently etc. Ask them to look for mini-beasts by looking carefully at the plants through the magnifying glasses, particularly underneath the leaves. They should write anything down that they see as interesting, unusual or note-worthy. When mini-beasts are found, ask the chn to share that with the other groups and also to photograph the creatures or make a quick sketch. Ask:What sort of mini-beast is it? Why do you think it is living in our allotment? What is it eating? Will it help or damage our edible plants?Ask the chn to spot beneficial insects such as bumblebees, ladybirds and lacewings (see 'Good insects for our allotment' sheet). Explain that bumblebees love flowers and they help pollination by taking pollen from one flower to another. Ladybirds and lacewings are helpful because they eat other mini-beasts that like to eat plants. Ask the chn if they can think of any ways they can encourage more of these helpful insects into the allotment area. Tell the chn that they are going to make little bug habitats next to the allotment tubs to see if the helpful insects will come and live in them. Show them the resource sheet and the materials you have collected.
Activities:Ask the chn to work in teams to create their bug habitats. Allow them time and freedom to create their own bug habitats. Encourage the more able to tell you why they are placing certain things in their bug habitat and what they are hoping to attract. Ask questions such as:What is it about these pinecones or the way you have arranged these that will attract the ladybirds?
When the bug habitats have been completed, take the chn inside and ask them to draw a picture of their bug home, cut it out and underneath draw the insect they hope it will attract, making a bug habitat 'lift the flap'.
Plenary / Wonder together at how amazing it is that plants need certain insects and those insects need those plants. Ask the chn:What other examples from nature of this interdependencecan we think of?
Outcomes / Children will
  • Review and observe the allotment, looking for mini-beasts and making micro-habitats for them
  • Understand that different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of mini-beasts and plants and that they depend on each other

© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.

We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.