Information for Schools

For P3-S2

The Loch Ness debate provides a fascinating and unexpected educational vehicle for exploring techniques of general enquiry and ecological reasoning.

Curriculum Linked

Workpacks for use after the visit are concerned with "Evaluating the usefulness and reliability of information" and "Interaction of living things with their environments".

Time and Capacity

The performance runs for 25 minutes, well within the attention span of most children and permits a visit to be included as a part of other educational visits to Edinburgh's larger attractions. Seating capacity: 34.

School Group Rates

£2.50 per pupil. Accompanying adults are free of charge.

School visits must be booked in advance on 0131 225 2290 or by E-Mail.

Pre-Visit Workpacks (see below). You will require Adobe Reader to view our workpacks. If you do not already have Adobe Reader installed on your computer, you may download it here or click on the logo below:

Click on the links below to download Workpacks. Save the files to your computer then print them. Please note: some of these files are very large; please be patient while they download. Broadband connection recommended.

THE PRE-VISIT ORIENTATION WORKPACK

FIND LOCH NESS - Geography and Map Work

NESS WORDSEARCH - Pre-history of Scotland and Word Puzzle

WORDINESS - Discussion. Words: Different things to different people.

THE FOOD CHAINS & PYRAMIDS WORKPACK

• This activity is designed to address "Knowledge and Understanding (Living things and the processes of life)" addressing the strand "Interaction of living things with their environment" from levels B - F, equivalent to P3 - S2.
• The activity is concerned with the construction of simple food chains and pyramids.
• It is intended to be used immediately after a visit to the 3D Loch Ness Experience in Edinburgh OR Loch Ness Exhibition Centre at Loch Ness.

Download Teacher Notes

General Notes An A4 overview with text and thumbnail pictures of class resources

Food Chain Notes What to do: how to cut out and organise the food chain - on a board or chart, or using an open space.

Food Pyramid Notes What to do: how to cut out and organise the food pyramid - on a board or chart, or using an open space.

Food Pyramid Extra Options Notes What to do: how to cut out and organise the food - pollution and "optional diet" pyramid - on a board or chart, or using an open space.

Download Classroom Resources

Below you will find the classroom activity resources. You could laminate them or just cut along the dotted lines to get 8 picture cards from each A4 sheet.

Food Chain Resources 11 Habitats with colourful cards showing a producer - consumer - predator and (sometimes) a top predator from each habitat.

Food Pyramid Resources A colourful set of cards that build into a food pyramid based on the Loch Ness habitat.

Food Pyramid extra Options Two extra suites of cards that demonstrate:
1. The effects of pollution within a food pyramid.
2. The effects of dietary changes on the food pyramid.

THE LOCH NESS ENQUIRY WORKPACK

Investigate an incident at Loch Ness!

• Suitable for P4 - S2 and can cover levels C - F.
• Designed to address "Skills in Social Subjects - Enquiry" in the strand "Carrying Out Tasks" under "Evaluating the Usefullness of Information".
• Modelled around the Level E requirement "To make judgements about what is relevant and reliable e.g. by reference to bias, exaggeration and selective use of information", but can be adapted to other levels as above.
• Can also be used in "Reading for Information".
• Intended for use in school immediately after a visit to the 3D Loch Ness Experience in Edinburgh or Loch Ness Exhibition Centre at Loch Ness.

Loch Ness Enquiry Teacher Notes The notes are bulleted in numerical order with 3 columns:
ACTION - RESOURCES - DISCUSSION
ACTION - Read out the next witness statemnt
RESOURCES - Show the correct evidence
DISCUSSION - Guide the debate

Loch Ness Enquiry Class Resources The Class Resources:
EVIDENCE - STATEMENTS - PICTURES - MAPS
Pictures of fictitious characters, a newspaper report, witnesses, emails, telephone messages, reporters notes and sketch maps to help you create an "Incident Room" at Loch Ness ... Has someone really seen the Loch Ness Monster? Is it a mistake - who will benefit?

16 pages - A4 Black and White Graphics. Assemble the numbered graphics and use with the numbered sections within the teacher notes.