Dinosaur Rock NZ Visit

Pencarrow Kindergarten

Wainuiomata

1 December 2004

 It was to be an interactive fun filled morning for the children.  It was much more than that. And it all started when Dinosaurs Rock pulled up in their wagon.  They passed over the fence to the children the ‘mini’ dinosaurs – they were much bigger than the ones that we have, some of the children were able to name them.  While the children were playing with these they set up their display inside.  The last thing to be unpacked was the blow up dinosaur.

It was huge, taller than the outside swings.  The children were able to measure themselves against it to see how big some dinosaurs actually were.  It was a pleasure for the children to be able to play with the mini dinosaurs anywhere – inside or out; it was a definite hands-on experience. 

After everything was finally set up inside the children came in for a mat-time where Darren and Jackie then explained to the children all about dinosaurs, the different types of fossils – trace fossils and body fossils.  The children were invited to take part in the presentation and to interact by comparing their bodies against the dinosaur bones and fossils.  Darren told stories to the children about how dinosaurs would capture their prey; he pretended to use a child as ‘bait’- comparing the dinosaurs jawbone size to that of a child’s head.  He also showed  how the dinosaurs would have used their claws to grab hold of what they wanted to eat; again he used a child as ‘bait’.

This was followed by the children painting a plaster mould of a dinosaurs ‘trace fossil/foot print.  Some children did dinosaur sponge painting others drew pictures. All the children were then able to touch, hold and feel the dinosaur items on display.  Several children were able to sit on top of the three foot high T-Rex.

At the end of the session Jackie called each child’s name and Darren officially shook their hand and presented them with a certificate, which they were immensely proud to receive.

Learning Outcomes

Belonging

The children develop an interest and pleasure in discovering an unfamiliar wider world.

• This was the first opportunity for most of the children to have a hands-on experience with

With dinosaur fossils and their actual sizes.

Contribution

Children develop a perception of themselves as capable of acquiring new interests.

• The children will now take a deeper interest in dinosaurs because they have had an

Opportunity to have a hands-on experience.

Communication

Children develop an opportunity to extend their language, their vocabulary.

• The children have had an opportunity to learn new words or the opportunity to reinforce

Others.  Example – Herbivore, Carnivore, fossil, trace fossil, body fossil.

Exploration

The children develop their ability to explore and modify their own working theories about the

Natural world.

• After listening to Darren the children have learnt that the most well known dinosaur the

T-Rex was in actual fact a ‘scavenger’ and probably ate kills left over from other dinosaurs.

 Pippa – Head Teacher

Pencarrow Kindergarten

Wainuiomata