Core Skills Analysis
Science
- Identified and learned about prehistoric creatures, such as sharks, through the purchase and examination of a shark tooth.
- Gained observational skills and understanding of natural history exhibits viewed in the museum.
- Developed curiosity about Earth's history, fossils, and marine life from exposure to museum displays.
- Connected play and learning by integrating scientific concepts with the assembly of a planet Lego set, linking space and natural history topics.
Geography & Travel
- Experienced using public transportation by traveling on the train, which enhances understanding of local transport systems and geography.
- Learned practical life skills related to planning a day trip and managing time during outings.
- Gained awareness of different environments—from urban (train) to educational (museum) settings.
- Developed social skills through interaction with family members during travel and activities.
Mathematics & Engineering
- Practiced fine motor skills and spatial awareness by assembling the planet Lego set.
- Enhanced problem-solving abilities and logical thinking during the construction process.
- Recognized geometric shapes and basic mechanical principles through Lego building.
- Improved counting and sequencing skills when organizing Lego pieces and following assembly steps.
Tips
To further enrich the learning experience, encourage your child to create a scrapbook or travel journal documenting the museum visit, including drawings or pasted images of fossils and exhibits. This helps develop literacy and recall skills by describing what they saw and learned. Introduce simple science experiments related to fossils, such as making a DIY fossil imprint with clay. For geography and travel, plan another day trip using different public transport modes, discussing routes and maps to enhance spatial awareness. Lastly, integrate STEM learning by designing and building imaginative models or dioramas inspired by the planet Lego set, encouraging creativity alongside engineering skills.
Book Recommendations
- National Geographic Kids Everything Sharks: All the Shark Facts, Photos, and Fun That You Can Sink Your Teeth Into by Melissa Stewart: This engaging book combines fun facts and stunning photos about sharks, perfect for young readers curious about marine life and prehistoric creatures.
- Look Inside Space (Usborne Look Inside) by Rob Lloyd Jones: A visually rich book that introduces children to planets, stars, and space exploration in an accessible way, complementing the planet Lego set experience.
- Katie's Trains (Katie's Transport Adventures) by Francesca Barton: A fun story about train travel that helps children relate to real-world transportation experiences through imaginative storytelling.
Learning Standards
- Science KS2 (Years 3 & 4): Recognise that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago (National Curriculum link: Year 3 - Rocks unit).
- Geography KS1 & KS2: Use simple maps, keys, and understand routes and transport (Year 2 - Human and Physical Geography).
- Design and Technology KS1 & KS2: Develop practical skills and explore constructing and joining materials, enhancing problem-solving when assembling models (Years 1 & 2).
- Mathematics KS1: Recognise and use shapes, develop logical thinking, and improve counting and sequencing (Years 1 & 2 Number and Shape topics).
Try This Next
- Create a fossil fact sheet comparing the shark tooth to other fossils found in the museum.
- Build a storybook or comic strip featuring an adventure involving the planet Lego model and a visit to the museum.