After seeing some local CCTV images of dinosaurs roaming around Belsize Park, Year One boys discovered large footprints and a dinosaur nest in the Junior school grounds.
Newspaper articles displaying various dinosaurs roaming around Belsize Park over the summer incited the boys to go outside and explore the area to look for clues. Soon, the boys discovered very large 3-toed footprints and scratches in the soil, then finally, the dinosaur’s nest and eggs.
This led to a lesson where the boys discussed in detail what dinosaur belongs to the nest. They hypothesized whether the dinosaur was a carnivore, omnivore, or herbivore—wondering how the species’ diet may affect the school if the eggs hatched.
Teacher of Year One, Mr. Benjamin Clay recollects on his lesson:
“It was interesting to witness the boys debating whether these eggs were genuine or fake, and whether it is at all possible for an extinct species to return. The boys started researching the incubation period for different reptile eggs to estimate how long we might have before they hatch.”
The lesson inspired the boys, with all sorts of “dinosaur sightings” getting disclosed to the Junior School teaching staff.
“We’ve even made our own dinosaur incubator where we hope we can keep one of the eggs at the correct temperature for it to hatch” Mr. Clay exclaims.
The objective of the dinosaur sightings was to act as a “hook” lesson—a way to introduce a new topic that sparks the boy’s interest and gets them excited to learn the topic. This approach is successful in the Junior School as it allows the boys to get ready for the term ahead.