105023 - KS3 Low Ability [THIS DOCUMENT]
Students read an extract from Robin Hill's 'Nature Notes' on specimen trees, and answer questions that demonstrate their understanding of the information contained therein.
This pre-visit activity enables students to engage with a venue- relevant text, encouraging them to practise their reading and comprehension skills. The main focus of the task is reading for information, and being able to synthesise and summarise their understanding. The task links to specific information about the features and biology of local species and other interesting facts relating to nature in the environs of the park. Students read a nature fact sheet on specimen trees that are found locally or originate abroad, and could be seen during a visit to the park, and they answer questions on the content. The resources available are relevant to students in key stage 3 (years 7-9). There is a crossover with Science due to the topic contained within the text.
Completion of the English: Reading - Comprehension resource/s linked to this document
Activities could be completed on-site if a suitable space could be found, however this resource is designed as a pre-visit classroom or homework activity.
This task could be completed post-visit if required
The task will prepare students for visiting the park and gardens as they will have gained an insight into the kind of nature attractions they could discover there, enriching their entire experience. Students will have practised their reading and interpretation skills. Students will have gained additional knowledge about many specimen trees in the park’s vicinity (the number varies depending on the resource chosen); this will support their learning in Science (crosses over with aspects of units such as ‘Plants’ and ‘Living Things and their Habitats’ etc.)