Planned learning intentions
To talk about, recognise and recreate simple patterns
To look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change
To explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in two or three dimensions
Resources
Illustrated version of the Noah's Ark story, such as Noah's Ark by Jane Ray (Orchard Paperbacks) * pictures of animals * small world animals * model ark * coloured backing paper * contrasting border roll and matching coloured paper * paint * brushes * computer * printer * digital camera
Step by step
* Read the story of Noah's Ark to the children and re-enact it using small- world animals and a model ark. Encourage them to look for similarities and differences between the creatures by comparing their features.
* Suggest making a frieze and invite each child to choose an animal to paint. Make sure that the children have small- world animals and pictures, so that they can observe distinguishing colours and patterns. Discuss whether they will paint one or two animals.
* Take digital photographs of the children painting and print them off.
* Invite the children to choose the colour of the backing paper and border and fix this to the display board. Help them to mount their paintings and photographs on paper to match the chosen border. Arrange the paintings on the backing paper with appropriate photographs alongside.
* Decide upon captions together related to particular features of the animals, for example, 'Thomas painted two elephants. Look at their long trunks'. Attach the captions alongside the appropriate painting.
* Print out large numerals 1 and 2, glue them in spaces and entitle the frieze 'Noah's Ark'.
Activities
* Take turns to arrange some small- world animals in two separate enclosures made from toy fencing. Talk about which enclosure has the most animals and which has the least, or whether they both have the same number.
* Re-enact the story of Noah's Ark with the children playing the part of Noah and his family and the animals.
Judith Cowley is the nursery teacher at Cockfield Primary School, County Durham. She spoke to Jean Evans.
