In a P6 (age 9-10) lesson on animal adaptation, groups of four were asked to identify their existing ideas about predators like a tiger, shark or rattlesnake.  Pictures were provided as a support for discussion and children annotated the photos or listed their own notes on mini-whiteboards. Developing discussion in this way helped the children to identify and share their ideas, supporting each other to explain their thoughts using scientific vocabulary (e.g. camouflage) and collating a range of predator features as a group.

Nicola Roberts, St Monica’s Primary RC School, Glasgow