Level 2 (Primary 4 - 7)

The topics listed below contain worksheets and pre and post visit packs for Level 1 (Primary 4 - 7). We will be continually updating this list with more curriculum-based topics.

Curriculum for Excellence

Compliments experiences and outcomes in the second level of the curriculum for excellence including the outcomes:

SCN 2-01a ‘I can identify and classify examples of living things, past and present, to help me appreciate their diversity. I can relate physical and behavioural characteristics to their survival or extinction.’

SCN 2-02a ‘I can use my knowledge of the interactions and energy flow between plants and animals in ecosystems, food chains and webs.’

SOC 2-08a ‘I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsible way.

SOC 2-12a ‘By comparing my local area with a contrasting area outwith Britain, I can investigate the main features of weather and climate, discussing the impact on living things

A rainforest topic can encompass many subject areas within the curriculum for excellence and is a good vessel for interdisciplinary learning. Please discuss with a member of our education team if there is anything in particular you would like to be included in your session.

Rainforest

Before your visit.

Take the opportunity available to teachers to visit us free of charge before your booked group visit. This will allow you to ask the staff at Amazonia any questions you may have about your visit. You will also be able to familiarise yourself with the layout and animals of Amazonia.
You may wish to split the class into groups and get each group to investigate one of the suggested animal species below before their visit. Each of these animals can be seen during their visit to Amazonia. Here is some information to get you started

Click here to Donwload the Rainforest animal investigation worksheet

During your visit.

Your structured visit to Amazonia will last for 2 hours and be organised into 4 sections which are described below. Please note that if your group is late one or all of these may have to be cut short to accommodate other groups. It is your responsibility to be on time. These sections may not occur in this order. We recommend that you allow extra time for lunch and visiting the gift shop and you are welcome to revisit the rainforest area following your allotted time if you wish.

1. Your Guided Tour (approx 45 minutes).

The children will be guided around Amazonia by one of our experienced education team. For a rainforest topic tour your guide will stop at a wide variety of enclosures and talk about the animals, covering interesting facts about the animals' biology, life in the wild, and how they fit into the rainforest ecosystem.

2. Your Handling Session (approx 30 minutes).

During this time the children will get the chance to touch and hold 2-3 different animal species.

A wide variety of tropical animal including several species of snake, lizards and creepy crawlies such as tarantulas and millipedes are available for use in handling sessions. Although the species used in any one session cannot be guaranteed, your guide will ensure your selection is suitable and varied.

3. Your Own Free Time (approx 15 minutes).

You are free to look around yourselves. Your ranger guide will be on hand to provide further information and answer any questions. This time may be used to complete any worksheets the class may be working on or to have a look at any animals not covered during the tour and revisit their favourite animals.

4. Amazonia interactive (approx 30 minutes)

The children are split into groups to enter our brand new interactive exhibit where they are ‘transported' into a rainforest scene to find out more about the animals that live there. Amazonia interactive can accommodate up to 12 children at any time and each group will spend 10 minutes in the room. Activity tables are set up outside for children not in the interactive room

After your visit.

Many of the animals the children will have seen in Amazonia have special adaptations to help them live in their particular layer of the rainforest e.g. prehensile tails, sticky toe pads, or camouflage (often green for canopy animals and brown for forest floor animals). Split the class into 4 groups and have each group pick a layer and design their own imaginary animal adapted for life in that layer.

Have the children, in their groups, prepare and give a brief presentation on the animal they investigated before their visit including anything new they learned in Amazonia. Make sure each group includes the reasons their animal is important to the rainforest ecosystem, what special job does that animal perform?

Get the children to bring in a product which comes from the rainforest and discuss whether each product has a positive or negative impact on the rainforest and the animals living in it. How might any of these products affect the animals they have been investigating?