Guess Zoo
Guess Zoo is fun animal guessing game, produced by ARKive, that can be used to introduce or support several lesson themes, for example species diversity, adaptations, habitats and classification. Using a set of species cards, students have to work out what the animal on a card is by asking each other questions about it's…
Marvellous Mini-beasts: Design a Species (Age 7-11)
In this activity, produced by ARKive, children learn about the concept of adaptation. They create and design a new species of mini-beast and learn how different species are adapted to survive in particular habitats. The activity could be undertaken in class or set as a homework activity. This creative activity is designed to teach…
Newly Discovered Species (Age 11-14)
Produced by ARKive, this resource teaches Key Stage Three children about biodiversity and classification whilst developing skills in independent research, collaboration and scientific thinking. It also gets students thinking about how scientists plan expeditions and surveys. A presentation introduces biodiversity and explores…
Endangered Species Bingo (Age 7-11)
Produced by ARKive, this engaging activity introduces students to the concept of endangered species and what it means when a species becomes extinct. After a class discussion about endangered species and the different endangered statuses, knowledge is reinforced by playing Endangered Species Bingo. The 'caller' has a set…
Opposable Thumbs (Age 11-14)
In this resource, produced by ARKive, students explore the role of the opposable thumb in primates and look at how this adaptation helps many different species in accomplishing tasks essential for survival. A presentation introduces the definition of an opposable thumb and looks at species that have this adaptation and the purposes…
Classification
In these two Key Stage Three activities from the ARKive collection, students learn about why species are classified, the ways in which this can be done and the key characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. In the first activity, students play the Guess Zoo game to help them understand the differences…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Game
Biodiversity Hospital
In this ARKive activity, students work in medical teams and balance competing priorities for the conservation of an endangered species and devise a ‘treatment’ plan. Students learn the importance of biodiversity and species conservation, the fine balance of the ecosystem and how to measure competing priorities.
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Who Wants to Be a Zoologist?
Produced by ARKive, a database of stunning natural history images, this activity is designed to teach students aged 11-14 about the identifiable features of different types of animals and how they are classified. The activity is also suitable for students aged 14-16 and beyond. Using a quiz format, students use their knowledge…
Galapagos Conservation (Ages 16-19)
From ARKive, these resources help students to learn about the Galapagos Islands, their biodiversity and conservation. Through a series of activities, students look at: • the scientific history and importance of the Galapagos Islands • the species that inhabit the islands including the concept of endemic species •…
Turtle Life Cycle (Age 7-11)
This resource produced by ARKive supports the teaching of life-cycles at Key Stage Two. It looks at mammals, amphibians, reptiles and plants and finds similarities between the life cycles of animals and plants within each group, as well as some of the similarities and differences between these groups. There is a focus on the…
Exploring the World's Biodiversity
Produced by ARKive, this series of lessons allows students to learn about the variety of species around the world using the maps and species fact cards included in the support materials. By learning the definitions of biodiversity, species, habitat and ecosystem, students understand the importance of each concept and draw relationships…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Human Impact on the Environment (Age 14-16)
From Arkive, this presentation and activity are designed to teach students aged 14-16 about the concept of human impacts on the environment. The presentation explains how human impacts can directly affect species survival, using plastic waste as an example. The activities then encourage students to consider how the impact of plastic…
What Is an Endangered Species? (Age 7 - 11)
From ARKive, this creative activity is designed to teach 7-11 year olds about endangered species, what it means to be endangered and what causes a species to become endangered. It also features examples of conservation in action and ideas for how the students can help. After a presentation, each student is given an Endangered…
ARKive on Tour
Produced by ARKive, these materials are designed to teach students aged 11-14 about the variety of habitats worldwide and the diversity of species found in each habitat. The activity also highlights topics including interdependence, adaptation and how species evolve specialised features. Working in groups, students are allocated…
Human Impact on the Environment (Age 11-14)
From Arkive, this presentation and activity are designed to teach students aged 11-14 about the concept of human impacts on the environment. The presentation explains how human impacts can directly affect species survival, using plastic waste as an example. The activities then encourage students to consider how the impact of plastic…
Sizing Up Species (Age 7 - 11)
Produced by ARKive, this series of activities is designed to teach children about measurement and the different sizes of animal and plant species. Children compare their estimates of a species’ length to its actual dimensions and compare it to their own heights. In the first session, children work individually or in pairs…
Adaptations to Arid Climates (Age 11-14)
In this ARKive resource, students learn about how different animals and plants are adapted to surviving in arid habitats. Working in groups, students design and carry out an experiment aimed at testing the effectiveness of different adaptations in reducing water loss. Using a worksheet as guidance, students also compare species…
Endangered Species Egg Decorating (Age 7-11)
This resource, produced by ARKive, combines art and science to create models of endangered species. Children choose their favourite threatened species and study their key features. They then decorate an egg to look like their chosen endangered animal and present their completed design to the rest of the class, explaining why it is…
Invasive Species (Age 11-14)
This resource from Arkive allows students to investigate the impacts that invasive species have on the environment, the effects that they have on native species and habitats, and the characteristics that make certain species good invaders. The activity looks at the different ways in which invasive species can potentially be controlled…
Web of Wildlife (Age 7-11)
This resource, produced by ARKive, is designed to teach Key Stage Two children about food chains, food webs and interdependence in different habitats around the world. A presentation using high quality images introduces the structure of simple food chains, food webs and how different organisms within ecosystems depend on each other…
ARKive School Museum
Produced by ARKive, this series of activities teaches students about endangered species through the creation of an interactive museum. Children learn about endangered species through the ARKive School Museum presentation and then choose an endangered species to research. They then produce an exhibit by creatively presenting information…
Nocturnal Animals (Age 5-7)
Produced by ARKive, this hands-on activity is designed to teach 5-7 year olds about nocturnal animals and the senses they employ to navigate life in the dark. Humans rely heavily upon the sense of sight and these activities explore the ways other animals have become adapted to life where and when light is less readily available. The…
Endangered Species Bingo (Age 11-14)
Produced by ARKive, this engaging activity introduces students to the issues around endangered species. A presentation describes what is meant by an endangered species and leads into work using the ARKive web site. The ideas in the presentation are reinforced using the bingo game. The 'caller' has a set of cards, each…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Game
Animals Over Winter (Age 7-11)
This resource, produced by ARKive, is designed to teach Key Stage Two children about the strategies animals adopt to survive winter in temperate zones and about the adaptations exhibited by animals in the polar regions. Children compare these strategies and identify similarities and differences in the ways animals are adapted…
Penguin Diversity: Mask Making (Age 5-7)
Through this fun and creative activity, from the ARKive collection, students learn about the different types of penguin species and how they have adapted, physically and behaviourally, to live in different environments. Each student is provided with the materials to make a mask showing one species of penguin, which they explain…
ARKive School Museum (Age 11-14)
Produced by ARKive, this series of activities teaches students about endangered species through the creation of an interactive museum. The ARKive School Museum presentation looks at examples of endangered species and explains the concept of an ARKive School Museum. Students then research an endangered species using the ARKive…
Newly Discovered Species (Age 7-11)
Produced by ARKive, this resource teaches Key Stage Two children about classification, variation and how to create and use their own classification keys. A presentation introduces biodiversity through images of a range species and looks at how new species are still being discovered by scientists. Following the presentation, children…