Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust · To know that there are different kinds of plants and animals in the immediate environment ... KS1 Science (Sc1/2efh; ... only mate and lay eggs before

Protecting Wildlife for the Future

GloucestershireWildlife Trust

Objectives ● Toknowwhatalifecycleis.● Torecogniseandsequencethedifferentstagesinalifecycle.● Toappreciatethatalifecycleisdependentoncertainfactors,suchasfoodandthecorrect

environment.● Toknowthattherearedifferentkindsof plantsandanimalsintheimmediateenvironment,and

learnmoreaboutthem.● Tobeabletotreatanimalsandtheenvironmentwithcareandsensitivity.

Year Group Duration

Preparatory Work Key Words

National Curriculum Objectives

● Years1and2(5to7years)

● KS1Science(Sc1/2efh;Sc2/1,2abefg,4b,5abc)

● 1½to2hours

● Plants

● Animals

● Life-cycle

● Egg

● Larva

● Nymph

● Adult

● Immature

● Undertakeasite visit (rememberyourwellies!)andrisk assessment(asampleriskassessmentisprovided).Ensurethatthesiteissuitable,thatfacilitiesareadequate,thatpeopleareexpectingyouandyouhavepermissiontobethere.

Equipment

Beespeciallysurethattheriverissuitablefordipping(shallowbankandwater,stonybottom,withoutareasof deepsiltormud).

● Gathertogethertheequipmentneeded(assetoutbelow)anddownload,printandlaminate(if desired)thesupportingmaterial–keys,recordingsheets,lifecyclesheetsandworksheetsif necessary.

● RSPCAFroglifecyclepicturesandexplanations(onepergroup)whichcanbefoundat:http://content.www.rspca.org.uk/cmsprd/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobnocache=false&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1232992293251&ssbinary=true

● RSPCALadybirdlifecyclepicturesandexplanations(onepergroup)whichcanbefoundat:http://content.www.rspca.org.uk/cmsprd/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobnocache=false&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1232995933665&ssbinary=trueYoucanalsousethetwinkl.co.uksupportingmaterialforbutterflyandladybirdlifecycleactivities:http://downloads.twinkl.co.uk/res_downloads/minizapijeous69/T-T-016-Butterfly-lifecycle-worksheets.pdf andhttp://downloads.twinkl.co.uk/res_downloads/

minizapijeous69/T-T-1083-Ladybird-Life-Cycle-Worksheets.pdf

● RiversTrustmayflylife-cyclediagram(laminated)

● Anumber(onepergroup)of standard1mmmeshpondnets

● Anumber(atleastonepergroup)of white,plasticexaminationtrays(orsomethingelsethatwillservethepurpose.Whitesurfacesaremucheasiertoidentifyinvertebratesinthantransparentones,althoughwhitepaperbeneathcouldbeusedif needbe).

● Recordingforms,clipboardsandpencils

● Identificationkeys

● Bugpotsforexaminationof individualspecimens

● Wellies!

Reg Charity No: 232580

L i fe Cycles


Lesson Content

TIMES ACTIVITY

Preparatory work at school

Askthechildrenwhattheyunderstandbytheword‘animal’,‘plant’and‘lifecycle’,andextendtoaskingthemtosuggestanimalsthatmightgothroughdifferentstagesof alifecycle.Prompttowardsrecognisableexampleslikefrogorbutterfly.

Canthechildrennamethedifferentstagesinabutterfly’slifecycle?

Canthechildrennamethedifferentstagesinafrog’slifecycle?

5 minutes Introduction

Startbyintroducingthesiteandexplainbrieflywhattheywillbedoingduringthesession.

Informthechildrenof riskswithahealthandsafetytalk.Groundrulesaboutboundariesandhowtobehaveneartheriver.

10 minutes Frog and ladybird life cycles

The object of this activity is to help the children to describe and recognise the different stages in a life-cycle, and how to sequence them.

Inyourgroups(of notmorethanfive),firstensurethatyouareallasafedistancefromtheriverbankandgiveeachgroupthesixpicturesof afrog’slife-cycle.Askthemtocooperatewitheachotherandputthesepicturesintothecorrectorder.

Thenadulthelperscanreadouttheexplanationcardsof whathappensinafrog’slife-cycleandaskthegroupstomatchthesetothepictures.

Repeatthisexercisewiththeladybirdlifecycleexample.

15 minutes Comparing terrestrial and aquatic life cycles

The aim of this introduction is to familiarise pupils with different kinds of life cycle, some of which will be familiar, others not. Different kinds of animal have different life strategies, related to different environments.

Whilstsittingclosetheriverbank,askthechildrentowatchcarefullyfordragonflies,damselflies,mayfliesandbutterflies.

Talkabouthowthelifecycleof abutterflydiffersfromthatof adragonfly(ordamselfly,mayflyorstonefly).Whereasabutterflylayseggsonland,whichhatchintocaterpillars,whichturnintopupaeandthenadultbutterflies,theotherspeciesmentionedlaytheireggsinwaterandhaveanymphstagebeforeleavingthewaterandbecomingadultflyinginsects.

NB Nymphs are not quite the same as larvae. Insects that go through a nymph stage metamorphose gradually and generally resemble their adult stages. Larvae go through a pupal stage prior to metamorphosis. Caddis flies have larvae whereas mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies and stoneflies have nymphs!

Showthechildrenthelifecycleof themayfly(provided)andtalkthroughthestages.

Askthechildrentodescribetheriver–forexample;wet,cold,fastorslow,andaskthemtopredictwhatmini-beaststheythinktheywillfindinthishabitat.

Informthemthattheywillnowlookforthelarvalandnymphstagesof rivermini-beasts(suchasmayflies,caddisflies,damselfliesanddragonflies)intheriver.


Lesson Content

TIMES ACTIVITY

50 minutes Stream/river dipping for mini-beasts

The aim of this exercise is for children to get a good look at river mini-beasts and at the larval/nymph stages in the life cycles of some of our river invertebrates. It will also give them an idea of just how much life there is in such habitats, and how varied it is (depending on the cleanliness of the water).

Forthispartof theday,adultscanentertherivertoperformdisturbancesampleswiththenets(whichthechildrencanthenidentifyonthebank),orchildrencanbeallowedtoentertheriver,dependingonthesuitabilityof theriverbed,banksandwaterdepth.Thisdecisioncanbemadeonthesitevisit.

Remind pupils of health and safety considerationsif theyaretoentertheriver.

If thechildrenaretoentertheriver,ensurethattheyareaccompaniedbyadults,thatonlyonechildfromeachgroupisintheriveratanyonetime,thatthewaterisshallowandthattheriverbedissolid.Alsobevigilantthatchildrenarenotstrayingfromsafeareasordamagingthebanksorin-streamvegetation.

Anadultshoulddemonstratethebestmethodof dipping,asfollows:

Placethepondnetontheriverbedanddisturb(withfootorhand)theareajustupstreamof thenetforaboutaminute.Theanimalswillthenbecarrieddownstreambythecurrentintothenet.Emphasisethatyouarebeingcarefulnottouprootordisturbaquaticplants(asfaraspossible)asyoudothis.

Fillyourwhitetraywithriverwatertoadepthof acoupleof centimetresandthenlowerthenetintothewaterinthetray,carefullyturninsideout,andshakegently,toreleasethecontentsforexamination.If thereisalotof siltinthenet,itmaybenecessarytorinsethecontentsbymovingthenetfromsidetosideintheflowingwaterof theriver.

Partof thisexerciseistoengenderrespectforthenaturalenvironmentandanimalsandplantswithinit,soitisvitaltoemphasisethatanimalsaretobetreatedgentlyandreturnedsafelytothewaterafterwards.

Capturedinvertebrates(andfish)canbestudiedandidentifiedusingthekeysandmayflynymphidentificationsheets(adulthelpmaybeneededhere).Individualspecimenscanbeexaminedinbugpotsif necessary.

FindscanberecordedbypupilsontheRiverDippingRecordingSheet,eitherjustasticksorwithnumbersalso.Itmaybepreferableforanadultsupervisortodothis,or,foryoungerchildren,toabandonthisrecordingelement.Duringthistimechildrenshouldalsokeepaneyeoutfortheadultstagesof someof thesecreatures.


10 minutes Plenary

Bringtheclassbacktogetheranddiscusswiththemthedifferentmini-beaststhatwerefound.

Askthemwhatanimalsmighteatthesecreatures(e.g.fish)andwhatanimalsmighteatthepredatorsof themini-beasts(e.g.herons,kingfishers,otters).

Follow-up activities

Talktotheclassaboutthehumanlifecycle.Withinputfromthechildren,gothroughthestages–egg,embryo,baby,child,adolescent,adult,oldage.Thelifecyclesworksheet(provided)isachancetoreinforcelessonslearntattheriver.UsetheWildTroutTrust’s‘MayflyintheClassroom’activitiesandteachers’notestorearandreleaseyourownriverinvertebrates–http://www.wildtrout.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=340&Itemid=318


Protecting Wildlife for the FutureReg Charity No: 232580

L i fe Cycles

River Dipping Recording Sheet (KS1)

Team: Date:

School:

Species

Backswimmer Blackfly larvaBullheadCased caddis fly larva Caseless caddis fly larvaCranefly larva CrayfishDamselfly nymph Dragonfly nymph Flatworm Freshwater limpet Freshwater shrimp Leech Mayfly nymph Midge larva MinnowMosquito larva Pea mussel Pond skater Stickleback Water beetleWaterboatman Water hoglouseWater mite Water scorpionWater stick insect Whirligig beetle Worm species

Tick if seen Total

River:

Life Cycles


Mayfly Nymphs

Mayfly nymphs are tiny insects that live in our rivers and streams. Mayfly Nymphs can be as small as 3 or 4 millimetres long up to over 30 millimetres long, and can live for as long as three years.

Crawling Mayfly Nymphs live under stones in fast flowing rivers and streams. They have flattened bodies so that they are not swept away by the force of the river and they feed on tiny bits of plants and leaves which fall into the river. They breathe oxygen from the water using feathery gills along the sides of their bodies. Also on Swimming Mayfly nymphs.

Swimming Mayfly Nymphs have streamlined bodies which are specially adapted for swimming in both fast and slow flowing rivers. They swim around among the stones and gravel of the river bed feeding on tiny bits of leaves and plants. Swimming Mayfly Nymphs also breathe through feathery like gills along the sides of their bodies.

Burrowing Mayfly Nymphs have very strong legs for digging the burrows in the fine silt or gravel of the river bed in which they live. They also feed on tiny bits of plants and leaves. Their gills are on their backs and covered by hard cases to prevent them from clogging up with the fine silt of the river bed.

Generally there are three types of mayfly nymphs

1

2

3

Life Cycles


The Life Cycle of a Mayfly

Mayfly eggs can be found on the undersides of stones. The eggs hatch into

mayfly nymphs

There are two stages to the adult mayfly’s life. It changes from the nymph into a ‘dun’, and then sheds its skin turning into a proper

adult called the ‘spinner’. An adult mayfly can last from a few hours to a few weeks. During this time they do not feed - they

only mate and lay eggs before dying.

The mayfly nymph lives in the water feeding on tiny bits of plants and leaves for up to three

years. It sheds its hard outer skin as it grows larger. Different species of mayfly nymphs change into adult mayflies during different

months of the year and not just May!


L i fe Cycles

What would happen to species of animals and plants if they did not reproduce?

What is the name for the stage in a mayfly or caddis fly’s life cycle before it becomes an adult?

What is the first stage in the life cycle of a mayfly or a frog?

What is the first stage in the life cycle of a human?

Put these stages of the life cycle of a human in order:

Put this butterfly life cycle in the right order: butterfly egg caterpillar pupa

2

1

3

4

5

6old age adolescence child adult embryo egg baby

a.

a.

b.

b.

c.

c.

d.

d.

e. f. g.

☺


Worksheet

Life Cycles


Freshwater Minibeast Identification Chart

H

Swimming mayfly nymph(up to 11mm)

Three tails, torpedo shaped body. Swims rapidly through water. Row of gills down each side of body.

C1C2

Damselfly nymph(up to 30mm)

Three flattened tails. Body moves from side to side when swimming. Usually green or brown.

C1

Caseless caddis larva(up to 26mm)

Six legs. Usually a dark head and a paler body. Two small hooks at the tail end.

HD

Non-bitting midge larva(up to 20mm)

(Blood worm). Bright red or green. Swims by flicking its body in a figure eight shaped movement.

C1

Leech(up to 30mm)

Segmented body with a sucker at each end. Moves by looping or swimming.

C1C2

Water beetle(variable size)Hard wing covers, meeting in a line down the back. Beetle-like appearance, swimmers or crawlers. Many types.

D

Freshwater shrimp(up to 20mm)

Swims on its side very quickly. Colour varies from reddish to grey.

D

C1C2

C1C2

D

H

C1C2

C1

Squat mayfly nymph(up to 7mm)

Dragonfly nymph(up to 70mm)

Alderfly larva(up to 40mm)

Worm(up to 40mm)

Water snail(up to 50mm)

Water boatman(up to 17mm)

Water mite(2 or 3mm)

Three tails, six legs similar to swimming mayfly but often has silt/sediment coating giving a scruffy appearance.

Three short tails (prongs) and six legs. Crawls.

Long gills trail from side of body. Stout brownish body with a single tail.

Like a small earthworm. Dull, reddish brown colour.

Hard shells which may be coiled or spiral. Many types.

Back two legs enlarged to form paddles. Swims rapidly through the water.

Round body, spider-like. Swims rapidly, very small.

H

Flattened mayfly nymph(up to 16mm)

Flat with moon shaped head, six legs and three tails. Crawls rather than swims.

H

Stonefly nymph(up to 30mm)

Six legs and two long tails. Crawls slowly. Gills not usually obvious.

D

Blackfly larva(up to 15mm)

End of body swollen. Moves by ‘looping’. Often attached to stones by a sucker.

D

Rat-tailed maggot(up to 55mm)Grey, fat body and very long tube to breathe air at the water’s surface.

H

Freshwater limpet(up to 20mm)

Small cup-like shell which is steeper on one side than the other.

H

Pond skater(18mm)

Black body. Skates on the water surface

D

Burrowing mayfly nymph(up to 40mm)

Six legs and three tails. Long brown body with two rows of feathery gills along its back.

C1HD

Cased caddis larva(up to 55mm)

Lives in a case of sand, stones, twigs, pieces of leaf. Crawls, dragging its case.

C1

Cranefly larva(up to 30mm)

Grey, maggot-like appearance

DC1

Flatworm(up to 40mm)

Very flat, sometimes has ‘horns’ or eye spots. Glides over stones.

D

Pea mussel(about 15mm)

White/grey shell, hinged on one side – a bit like a seaside cockle shell.

D

Water hoglouse(up to 12mm)

Greyish-brown, flat, like a woodlouse. Crawls

Feeding levels key:D DetritivoreH HerbivoreC1 First order carnivoreC2 Second order carnivore

Documents

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust · To know that there are different kinds of plants and animals in the immediate environment ... KS1 Science (Sc1/2efh; ... only mate and lay eggs before