Y2 visit to Martin Mere - living things and their habitats

Lesson: Science

Class: Year 2 Year: 2024 - 2025

Year 2 have had a great ‘submersive’ learning experience today at Martin Mere. They began the day on a minibeast hunt and investigated microhabitats. They learned that minibeast play a vital part in our eco system. They help to pollinate plants, let air (oxygen) into the soil, help to make compost and provide food for larger animals in the food chain. They then investigated pond habitats, where they got stuck right in and mastered the art of pond dipping. We even viewed a selection of pond creatures under a microscope to get a closer look at how their bodies are adapted to living in a pond. The children were amazed with the quantity of new animal they found living beneath the surface of a pond. All the animals came in all shapes and sizes, specially adapted to what area of the pond they lived in. Once the children filled their observation trays with pond life, they then identified each animal using a check list. The children then took part in a food chain activity and discovered that each of these pond creatures play a huge part in local food chains. They used the vocabulary such as producer, consumer, prey, predator to explain their food chain.

A little while after, the children searched on land for mammals and birds habitats, they compared how each animal was specifically adapted to their habitat. For Example, the otter was adapted to its habitat as it has webbed hind feet and had a steam-lined body to fish and swim. The children also learned that a mammal that was predator in the food chain had eyes adapted at the front of their skull, whereas mammals who are prey in the food chain have eyes at the side of their head.

Finally, the children ended their day on the adventure playground! Lots of fun, laughter and learning throughout the day. A special thank you to our volunteers and the staff at Martin Mere for a wonderful day bringing science alive!