The Voyage of the Beagle

Within this project we will explore the famous workings of Charles Darwin and how is discoveries shaped much of today's scientific understanding of the natural world. This topic will focus primarily on the science around adaptation, inheritance, evolution and classification. Art, history and geography will be included as supporting subjects where children will explore how adaptation in animals change according to climate and terrain; the brief history of the world and how our planet changing has caused living things to change and study Darwin's original sketches.

Science

Science in this topic will revisit the processes of adaptation, inheritance and evolution in animals. Children will learn about who Charles Darwin was, what he studied and how it is still relevant today. Children will work scientifically by using the skills of classification and pattern spotting – reflecting on animals, plants and humans. 

Children will experiment with creating their own classifications, tracking inheritance patterns through family trees and designing animals with adaptations to survive in chosen environments.  

History 

Children will explore a brief history of the world and how it has changed over time. We will investigate what the prehistoric world looked like and how dinosaurs were able to survive before comparing them to our modern day environment.

Geography 

Children will explore and discuss the different climates/biomes of the world and be encouraged to make links between this knowledge and their knowledge of where different animals live. This will support their learning of adaptations and encourage them to justify why they believe different animals have evolved in certain ways.

Art

After studying Darwin's original sketches from the Gelapogos Islands, the children will begin a study of sketching techniques – building to producing their own nature sketches. We will practice and refine techniques for shading, hatching, measuring proportion and noticing still-life details before choosing a subject for their final piece.