Dinosaurs

Science:
Fossil discovery table
with magnifying
glasses and
microscope.
Other:
Singing songs about
dinosaurs.
Imaginative play with
large dinosaur figures.
Creative Arts:
Using clay to make
dinosaur fossils and
sculptures.
Still life drawing of
dinosaur figure using
black fineliner.
Outdoor:
Digging in the mud
patch to discover
dinosaur bones.
The addition of some
logs outside will aim
to simulate a dinosaur
habitat.
Numeracy:
Discovering shapes
and size with the Indo
blocks and giant
dinosaur puzzle.
Literacy:
Reading non-fiction
dinosaur books to
gain information and
discussing dinosaurs
with the children.





















Essential Questions
What dinosaur names do you know?
Do all dinosaurs look alike?
What else was alive when the dinosaurs were?
What do dinosaurs eat?
Do all dinosaurs have sharp teeth?
What happened to the dinosaurs?
What is a fossil?


Rationale
A large number of children in the Dolphins
group have shown an interest in dinosaurs
after their excursion to the Botanic Gardens
where they went on a Dinosaur walk. These
interests are reflected through imaginative
play, selection of books, and discussions with
each other and educators.


Extension
Reptiles
Extinct and endangered species
Mythical creatures
Herbivore/carnivore; healthy eating.
Natural disasters (what wiped out the
dinosaurs?).
Links to Learning Outcomes
- Explore ideas and theories using imagination,
creativity and play
- Children express ideas and make meaning
using a range of media
- Broaden their understanding of the world in
which they live




Objectives and Experiences Potential Learning Outcomes Reflections Modifications
Mat Area
Number and Alphabet LEGO

Number and Alphabet Washing Line


Resources:
- Washing line / string
- Number & alphabet flash
cards
- Number & Alphabet LEGO
Community
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Learning
- Follow and extend their own interests with enthusiasm,
energy and concentration
- Apply a wide variety of thinking strategies to engage with
situations and solve problems, and adapt these strategies to
new situations
- Create and use representation to organise, record and
communicate mathematical ideas and concepts
Communication
- Demonstrate an increasing understanding of measurement
and number using vocabulary to describe size, length,
volume, capacity and names of numbers
- Begin to use images and approximations of letters and words
to convey meaning

Block Area
Large dinosaurs, Indo blocks, giant
dinosaur puzzle and big dinosaur
book.


Resources:
- Large dinosaurs
- Indo blocks
- Cloths / material
- Dinosaur puzzle
- Dinosaur books
Identity
- Explore aspects of identity through role-play.
- Explore different identities and points of view in dramatic
play
- Engage in and contribute to shared play experiences
Community
- Cooperate with others and negotiate roles and relationships
in play episodes and group experiences
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Learning
- Follow and extend their own interests with enthusiasm,
energy and concentration
- Use reflective thinking to consider why things happen and
what can be learnt from these experiences.
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and
processes
- Explore ideas and theories using imagination, creativity and
play
Communication
- Use symbols in play to represent and make meaning

Dolphins; October, 2014
Home Corner
Garden / BBQ area

Turn calm down tent into an
Australiana / bush area and connect it
to the garden area.


Resources:
- calm down tent
- Australiana items
Puzzles
Books
Plush toys
- Camping items
Swag
Cooking utensils
Identity
- Explore aspects of identity through role-play.
- Explore different identities and points of view in dramatic
play
- Engage in and contribute to shared play experiences
Community
- Cooperate with others and negotiate roles and relationships
in play episodes and group experiences
Learning
- Explore ideas and theories using imagination, creativity and
play
Communication
- Use symbols in play to represent and make meaning

Easels
Painting

Add crafts next to easel to encourage
collage / textured artwork.


Resources:
- Patty pans
- Uncooked pasta
- Coloured paper
- Glitter
- Pipe cleaners
- Paint
- Large white paper
- Paint brushes
- Art Smocks
Wellbeing
- Manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing
competence and skill
Communication
- Use language and representations from play, music and art to
share and project meaning
- Use the creative arts, such as drawing, painting, sculpture,
drama, dance, movement, music and story-telling, to express
ideas and make meaning

Large Activity Tables
Still-Life Drawing with Dinosaurs

Puzzles

Box Construction / Craft


Resources:
- Black fine-liners
- White paper
- Large dinosaur with foliage
(plants, pine cones, rocks)
- Puzzles
- Boxes (all different sizes)
- Glue
- Sticky tape
- Patty pans
- Pipe cleaners
- Coloured paper
- Toilet rolls
- String / ribbon

Small Activity Tables
Clay Fossil Making

Number Game

Dinosaur Discovery Table


Resources:
- Clay
- Clay tools
- Art Smocks
- Small and large dinosaurs
- Dinosaur books
- Leaves
- Rocks
- Fossils
Identity
- Confidently explore and engage with social and physical
environments through relationships and play
- Engage in and contribute to shared play experiences
Community
- Cooperate with others and negotiate roles and relationships
in play episodes and group experiences
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Wellbeing
- Manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing
competence and skill
Learning
- Use reflective thinking to consider why things happen and
what can be learnt from these experiences
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and
processes
- Manipulate resources to investigate, take apart, assemble,
invent and construct
- Explore ideas and theories using imagination, creativity and
play
Communication
- Use language and representations from play, music and art to
share and project meaning
- Demonstrate an increasing understanding of measurement
and number using vocabulary to describe size, length,
volume, capacity and names of numbers
- Use the creative arts, such as drawing and story-telling, to
express ideas and make meaning










- Foliage
- Magnifying glass
Outdoor
Digging for Dinosaur Bones


Resources:
- Mixture of small and large
Dinosaurs
- Brushes
- Dinosaur fossils
- Dinosaur bones
- Magnifying glass
Identity
- Engage in and contribute to shared play experiences
Community
- Cooperate with others and negotiate roles and relationships
in play episodes and group experiences
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Wellbeing
- Manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing
competence and skill
Learning
- Use reflective thinking to consider why things happen and
what can be learnt from these experiences.
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and
processes





Objectives:
The children will learn about
dinosaurs, fossils and
archaeology while digging for
bones in the mudpit outside.
Materials:
Bones, shovels, wide paint
brushes, books about
dinosaur bones, outdoor
area.
Procedures:
The 'dinosaur bones' will be buried
in the mudpit outside and the
children will be given the tools to
uncover and discover them while
learning about dinosaurs in the
process.
Assessment:
Observe the way that the children
go about uncovering the bones in
the mudpit and pay particular
attention to the language that they
are using.
Digging for Dinosaur
Bones
Objectives:
The children will continue to
familiarise themselves with
letters and numbers, as well
as using the pieces to form
words and count.
Materials:
Number and alphabet blocks,
lego board.
Procedures:
The children will have the
opportunity to play with the
alphabet and number blocks in
any way they wish.
Assessment:
Observe the way that the children
place the letters and numbers on
the board. Take note of any
emerging patterns or particular
uses of the letters or numbers.
Number and
Alphabet Lego


Objectives:
The children will practice their
drawing and fine motor skills
while using black fine liners to
create a still life representation
of a dinosaur on display.
Materials:
Plastic dinosaur, black fine
liners, paper.
Procedures:
The children will sit at the drawing
table and inspect the features of the
plastic dinosaur before beginning to
draw it themselves. A teacher will
suggest that the children pay
particular attention to the shapes of
the dinosaur.
Assessment:
Observe the way that the children
hold the pen and the process of
interpreting and representing the
figure of the dinosaur onto paper.
Take note of any language the
children use while drawing.
Still Life Drawing of
Dinosaurs
Objectives:
The children will learn about
dinosaurs, geography, shapes,
and sizes while imaginatively
constructing a world for the
dinosaurs to live in.
Materials:
Large plastic dinosaurs, Indo
blocks, dinosaur puzzle, big
dinosaur book, fabric.
Procedures:
The children will be given access to a
range of materials to create a world
for the dinosaurs to live in.
Educators will ask questions to
facilitate further learning about
dinosaurs.
Assessment:
Observe the way that the children
interact with each other and work
together or individually to create
an environment for the dinosaurs.
Take note of the children's
knowledge of dinosaurs.
Dinosaur World





















Objectives:
To create a stimulating
environment for the children
to explore and discover
fossils and dinosaurs.
Materials:
Fossils, magnifying glasses,
microscope, rocks, sticks,
plastic dinosaurs, non-fiction
dinosaur books.
Procedures:
The children will be able to explore
the table freely by themself or with
others. Educators will facilitate
quality conversations about
dinosaurs and discuss learnt
information with the children.
Assessment:
Observe the children's
interactions with the fossil
discovery table and ask them
questions about what they
have discovered.
Fossil Discovery
Table
Objectives:
The children will learn about
fossils and refine their fine
motor skills while creating
fossils and dinosaurs prints
out of clay.
Materials:
Clay, small dinosaurs,
dinosaur print clay rollers,
clay tools, blank cds, wooden
clay blocks.
Procedures:
The clay will be piled up in chunks
like a mountain so the children can
visualise how much they will need.
They will be encouraged to craft
fossils or another dinosaur related
sculpture out of the clay using the
materials provided.
Assessment:
Observe the way that the children
interact with the clay and how they
transfer their ideas into action. Take
photographs of the finished product
and ask the child to describe what
they have made.
Clay Fossils and
Dinosaur Prints

Activity Plan: Clay Fossils and Dinosaur Prints
Objectives and Procedures
The aim of this activity is for the children to learn about fossils and refine their fine motor skills while creating fossils and dinosaurs prints out of clay.
The clay will be piled up in small chunks resembling a mountain so the children can visualise how much they will need. They will be encouraged to craft fossils or
another dinosaur related sculptures out of the clay using the materials provided. An educator will show the children how the plastic dinosaurs and clay rollers leave
imprints on the clay, as well as facilitate a discussion about what fossils are and how they were formed.
Materials
Clay, small dinosaurs, dinosaur print clay rollers, clay tools, blank CDs, wooden clay blocks.
Links to EYLF
Community
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
Wellbeing
- Manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing competence and skill
Learning
- Use reflective thinking to consider why things happen and what can be learnt from these experiences
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and processes
- Manipulate resources to investigate, take apart, assemble, invent and construct
- Explore ideas and theories using imagination, creativity and play
Communication
- Use language and representations from play, music and art to share and project meaning
- Use the creative arts, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, drama, dance, movement, music and story-telling, to express ideas and make meaning
Assessing Learning
Observe the way that the children interact with the clay and how they transfer their ideas into action. Take photographs of the finished product and ask the child to
describe what they have made.

Reflections and Modifications

Activity Plan: Fossil Discovery Table
Objectives and Procedures
The aim of the fossil discovery table is to create a stimulating environment for the children to explore and discover fossils and dinosaurs while engaging with
scientific equipment.
The children will be able to explore the table freely by themself or with others. Educators will facilitate quality conversations about dinosaurs and discuss learnt
information with the children.
Materials
Fossils, magnifying glasses, microscope, rocks, sticks, plastic dinosaurs, non-fiction dinosaur books
Links to EYLF
Identity
- Confidently explore and engage with social and physical environments through relationships and play
- Engage in and contribute to shared play experiences
Community
- Cooperate with others and negotiate roles and relationships in play episodes and group experiences
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Wellbeing
- Manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing competence and skill
Learning
- Use reflective thinking to consider why things happen and what can be learnt from these experiences.
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and processes
- Explore ideas and theories using imagination, creativity and play
Assessing Learning
Observe the children's interactions with the fossil discovery table and ask them questions about what they have discovered. Take note of their growing knowledge
about dinosaurs.

Reflections and Modifications


Activity Plan: Dinosaur World
Objectives and Procedures
The aim of this activity is for the children to learn about dinosaurs, geography, shapes, and sizes while imaginatively constructing a world for the dinosaurs to live in
out of blocks and other materials on the world map mat.
The children will be given access to a range of materials to create a world for the dinosaurs to live in. Educators will ask relevant questions to facilitate further
learning about dinosaurs.
Materials
Large plastic dinosaurs, Indo blocks, dinosaur puzzle, big dinosaur book, fabric
Links to EYLF
Identity
- Explore aspects of identity through role-play.
- Explore different identities and points of view in dramatic play
- Engage in and contribute to shared play experiences
Community
- Cooperate with others and negotiate roles and relationships in play episodes and group experiences
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Learning
- Follow and extend their own interests with enthusiasm, energy and concentration
- Use reflective thinking to consider why things happen and what can be learnt from these experiences.
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and processes
- Explore ideas and theories using imagination, creativity and play
Communication
- Use symbols in play to represent and make meaning
Assessing Learning
Observe the way that the children interact with each other and work together or individually to create an environment for the dinosaurs. Take note of the children's
knowledge of dinosaurs.
Reflections and Modifications


Activity Plan: Still-life Drawing of Dinosaurs
Objectives and Procedures
The aim of this activity is for the children to practice their drawing and fine motor skills while using black fine liners to create a still life representation of a dinosaur
on display.
The children will sit at the drawing table and inspect the features of the plastic dinosaur before beginning to draw it themselves. A teacher will suggest that the
children pay particular attention to the shapes and characteristics of the dinosaur.
Materials
Plastic dinosaur(s), black fine liners, paper
Links to EYLF
Community
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
Wellbeing
- Manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing competence and skill
Learning
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and processes
Communication
- Use language and representations from play, music and art to share and project meaning
- Use the creative arts, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, drama, dance, movement, music and story-telling, to express ideas and make meaning
Assessing Learning
Observe the way that the children hold the pen and the process of interpreting and representing the figure of the dinosaur onto paper. Take note of any language the
children use while drawing. The finished drawings will be placed into the childrens portfolios to show their progress and allow them to self-reflect.

Reflections and Modifications


Activity Plan: Digging for Dinosaur Bones
Objectives and Procedures
The children will learn about dinosaurs, fossils and archaeology while digging for bones in the mud patch outside.
The 'dinosaur bones' will be buried in the mud patch outside and the children will be given the tools to uncover and discover them while learning about dinosaurs
in the process.
Materials
Bones, shovels, wide paint brushes, books about dinosaur bones, outdoor area
Links to EYLF
Identity
- Engage in and contribute to shared play experiences
Community
- Cooperate with others and negotiate roles and relationships in play episodes and group experiences
- Broaden their understanding of the world in which they live
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Wellbeing
- Manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing competence and skill
Learning
- Use reflective thinking to consider why things happen and what can be learnt from these experiences.
- Make connections between experiences, concepts and processes
Assessing Learning
Observe the way that the children go about uncovering the bones in the mud patch and pay particular attention to the language that they are using.
Reflections and Modifications


Activity Plan: Number and Alphabet Lego
Objectives and Procedures
The children will continue to familiarise themselves with letters and numbers, as well as using the pieces to form words and count. This activity was organised with
the numeracy interests of certain children in mind.
The children will have the opportunity to play with the alphabet and number blocks in any way they wish.
Materials
Number and alphabet blocks, Lego board
Links to EYLF
Community
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Learning
- Follow and extend their own interests with enthusiasm, energy and concentration
- Apply a wide variety of thinking strategies to engage with situations and solve problems, and adapt these strategies to new situations
- Create and use representation to organise, record and communicate mathematical ideas and concepts
Communication
- Demonstrate an increasing understanding of measurement and number using vocabulary to describe size, length, volume, capacity and names of numbers
- Begin to use images and approximations of letters and words to convey meaning
Assessing Learning
Observe the way that the children place the letters and numbers on the board. Take note of any emerging patterns or particular uses of the letters or numbers.



Reflections and Modifications



















Activity Plan: Number & Alphabet Washing Line
Objectives and Procedures
The children will continue to familiarise themselves with letters and numbers, and the numerical, and alphabetical order in which they go in. In this activity, the
children will be asked to peg the numbered flash cards in order from 1 to 20, they will then be asked to peg the alphabetical flash cards in alphabetical order. This
activity was organised with the numeracy interests of certain children in mind.
Materials
Number and alphabet flash cards, pegs, washing line or string.
Links to EYLF
Community
- Use play to investigate, project and explore new ideas
Learning
- Follow and extend their own interests with enthusiasm, energy and concentration
- Apply a wide variety of thinking strategies to engage with situations and solve problems, and adapt these strategies to new situations
- Create and use representation to organise, record and communicate mathematical ideas and concepts
Communication
- Demonstrate an increasing understanding of measurement and number using vocabulary to describe size, length, volume, capacity and names of numbers
- Begin to use images and approximations of letters and words to convey meaning
Assessing Learning
Observe the way that the children place the letters and numbers on the washing line. Take note of any emerging patterns or particular uses of the letters or
numbers. Discuss what the children are doing whilst they complete the activity and write down their discussion.

Reflections and Modifications