Life in words

Let our birds of prey broaden minds and inspire creative thinking and writing.

There are often stereotypes attached to animals and birds through films, stories and reputation. Life In Words creates an opportunity for pupils to see how our opinions and thoughts can be changed through the process of learning.

During the visit, there will be two discussion based sessions:

For the first session, before pupils see any of our birds or explore the Trust, they’ll use spider diagrams to produce a catalogue of descriptive words, thoughts and feelings that come to mind when they think of a particular species.
Straight after this session, pupils will have the opportunity to explore the grounds and meet some of the species discussed. They’ll see one of the flying demonstrations and learn some interesting facts about birds of prey.
After lunch, we’ll regroup for our second session to repeat the first exercise and see what’s changed. To get everyone’s creative minds working we’ll also explore several pieces of creative writing inspired by birds of prey.

Teachers are given a copy of the spider diagrams and literature pieces to take back to school which can be used by pupils to produce a piece of creative writing or fact file. The work they create will be based on their own opinions and knowledge before and after their visit and they will be able to incorporate any new descriptive words they have learnt.

Key subject:

English

Subject links to:

ICT, Science

Adaptable for:

Key Stage 1 – Key Stage 4

Objectives:

Reflecting on their experience at the Trust to compose a poem or piece of creative writing using descriptive words, feelings, emotions and facts learned during their visit.
Acquiring a wider vocabulary, using discussion and creative writing to explore expressing opinions, thoughts and feelings.

Curriculum links:

Ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and knowledge.
Participate in discussions.
Give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes, including for expressing feelings.
Discussing and clarifying the meanings of words, linking new meanings to known vocabulary.
Explain and discuss their understanding of books, poems and other material, both those that they listen to and those that they read for themselves.
Discuss words and phrases that capture the reader’s interest and imagination.
Identify how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning.
Listening to, discussing and expressing views about a wide range of contemporary and classic poetry, stories and non-fiction at a level beyond at which they can read independently.
Develop a positive attitude towards, and stamina for writing, by writing narrative about personal experience or writing poetry.

Running time:

First session – 30 minutes
Second session – 30-40 minutes

Links to outreach topics:

Art Workshop, History of Falconry