Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Children look at different invertebrates, focusing on their external features and the ways they move. Children will observe and discuss a range of invertebrates images. Younger children will then focus on the movements of invertebrates and will participate in a role-play to mimic these movements. Older children will take their understanding of invertebrate features and movements to invent their own invertebrate out of playdough. They may then participate in a role-play around the invertebrates they created.

This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.

EYLF Learning Outcome

Elaborations

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

3. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners

1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity

2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

Resources required:

Ages 0 to 2 –

Ages 3 to 5 –

  • Invertebrate Flashcards
  • Optional – Paper for making antennae and wings, cushions and fabric for making snail shells
    Playdough and tools.

Supporting resources:

 

The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Background information

Learning goals: Children understand that invertebrates have different external features and move in different ways.

Content information: Many of us get the heebie-jeebies about creepy crawlies. Maybe that’s because there are so many of them. In fact, as a group insects are the most populous animals on Earth: it is estimated that there are 200 million insects for every human on the planet!!!

Fear not, the earth is not in danger of being overrun by bugs. Instead, they are actually vital to the healthy functioning of almost every aspect of our natural environment. They work as pollinators, as decomposers, they enrich and aerate the soil, and are a critical part of the food chain, serving as a source of food for all sorts of animals.

All bugs are defined as being 'invertebrates', meaning they have no spine. (Humans and other mammals have a spine and belong to the category 'vertebrates'.) Bugs that you may find in your garden could include:

  • Insects - Insects a
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