Teaching - Part 25

2 11, 2017

Spotting an Old Favourite

By Mike|2023-08-24T12:09:58+01:00November 2nd, 2017|Categories: Early Years Foundation Reception, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Spotting an Old Favourite

Important Reading for Budding Dinosaur Experts

Team members at Everything Dinosaur find some dinosaur books for children on a school visit.

One of our sharp-eyed team members spotted several dinosaur books whilst at a school delivering a dinosaur and fossil themed workshop with two classes of Year 1 children. The teaching team had put together a collection of books in the school “dinosaur museum” area in a bid to enthuse and encourage young readers.

Dinosaurs Inspire Some Unusual Book Titles

Children Learn about the Stone Age. — “Stomp, stomp, roar”! Reception class make books about dinosaurs.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

We would like to congratulate the authors for their work. There are certainly some intriguing titles on display.

Dinosaur Books for Children

Whilst we would not like to comment too much about the scientific accuracy of these particular books, the teaching team with the help of the learning support assistant (LSA), had carefully compiled a range of fiction and non-fiction reading materials and allocated a quite area of the creative room at the school as a special reading area. The large, inviting, colourful mat and plenty of comfortable chairs were bound to attract keen readers. When we discussed these books with the teaching team, it turns out that one of these titles is an old favourite. It is nearly as popular with the teachers as it is with the children.

We are confident that this unusual fictional storybook about dinosaurs will inspire plenty of young readers.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

27 10, 2017

Dinosaur Models A Set of Prehistoric Animals

By Mike|2023-08-19T08:10:06+01:00October 27th, 2017|Categories: Early Years Foundation Reception, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Dinosaur Models A Set of Prehistoric Animals

Prehistoric Animals Model Set – Large Dinosaur Models for School

Designed for robust, creative play, a set of twelve, super-sized prehistoric animal models which are ideal for school. Due to popular demand from teachers, teaching assistants and home schoolers, Everything Dinosaur has added a set of twelve prehistoric animal models to its product portfolio.

Great for Imaginative, Creative Play a Set of 12 Different Prehistoric Animal Models

Popular Christmas Gift – Dinosaurs in a Tin. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Tough, Plastic Dinosaur Models

This set of different dinosaur and prehistoric animal models make great teaching aids and props when introducing a term topic or scheme of work all about life in the past and dinosaurs. The set consists of prehistoric animals that lived in the Permian, Triassic as well as the Jurassic and Cretaceous geological periods. All the favourite dinosaurs have been included by the Everything Dinosaur team member, popular and well-known dinosaurs such as Diplodocus, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex.

To view the set of prehistoric animal models and other teaching resources available from Everything Dinosaur: Educational Dinosaur Toys and Models.

A Set of Prehistoric Animal Models

Special “travel” dinosaurs. A set of prehistoric animal models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture Credit: Everything Dinosaur

Prehistoric Animal Model Set Complete with Fact Sheets

The models are quite large, ranging in size from around 10 centimetres in length to more than 15 centimetres long. The figures are designed for children from three years and upwards and the set is supplied with prehistoric animal fact sheets written by the fossil experts at Everything Dinosaur.

A spokesperson for the Cheshire-based dinosaur company explained:

“We do understand the plight of teachers and their support staff when it comes to a dinosaur themed term topic such as the “Jurassic Forest”. Often the children can know more than the teachers, however, we supply this set with a fact sheet on every single prehistoric animal featured, we even provide a handy guide to pronunciation. It’s all about making it easier for teachers.”

The set of twelve prehistoric animals includes – Ankylosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Dimetrodon, Diplodocus, Pachycephalosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Plateosaurus, Stegosaurus, Styracosaurus, Triceratops and T. rex.

Prehistoric Animal Models on Display in a School

A dinosaur museum under construction. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

When it comes to supplying prehistoric animals, there are enough dinosaurs in this set for the classroom to be able to turn into the school’s very own “Jurassic Park”.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

17 10, 2017

Frankfurter Buchmesse – A World of Learning

By Mike|2023-09-02T08:57:04+01:00October 17th, 2017|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Frankfurter Buchmesse – A World of Learning

Frankfurt Book Fair – A World of Learning

The 2017 Frankfurter Buchmesse has proved once again that the publishing world is full of innovation, especially when it comes to engaging the next generation of young scientists. Figures released by the organisers of this internationally important event, suggest that some 7,300 exhibitors attended, representing 102 countries. Visitor numbers were around four percent up compared to 2016, in all some 286,000 people attended this five-day book extravaganza.

Educationalists, Lecturers and Teaching Professionals from All Over the World Attended the Frankfurter Buchmesse

Visitors to the trade fair. The Frankfurt Book Fair.

286,000 visitors attended the 2017 Frankfurter Buchmesse. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The International Education Sector was Prominent

At this year’s Book Fair, the international educational sector was very well represented with visitors flocking to Hall 4.2 to participate in the “World of Learning Lab”. As well as the more traditional educational materials, digital media and its use in the education sector was prominent. One exhibit that took the eye was the virtual dive on a coral reef using virtual reality (VR) goggles.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur who attended the Book Fair commented:

“The Frankfurter Buchmesse provided a one-stop shop for members of the teaching profession and school administrators. Some of the advances involving the use of digital media in schools are breathtaking. The effective use of these tools in conjunction with appropriate schemes of work and carefully thought out lesson plans can really help to engage pupils.”

The “Educational Hot Spot”

The dedicated area of the show known as the “Educational Hot Spot” provided a series of highlights for Everything Dinosaur team members. The latest whiteboard technology was on display and there were plenty of opportunities to practice on the Smartboards and other classroom accessories. Everything Dinosaur staff members came away with a number of new ideas on how to adapt scientific research and make it accessible to teachers and teaching professionals.

Education was Definitely in the Spotlight in the “Educational Hot Spot” Area

A section dedicated to the educational sector.

The “Education Hot Spot” area. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

For educational, dinosaur themed toys and games: Learning with Everything Dinosaur.

Sofa talks, workshops and interactive presentations were on offer, along with the chance to review some of the latest science orientated teaching publications. The primary schools sector was particularly strong with dozens and dozens of companies at the show which serve the primary school sector. There were also several seminars that visitors could attend, providing insights into the latest teaching methods, pedagogical trends and inspirational ideas to help support term topics.

Plenty of Time to take in Expert Opinion at the Frankfurt Book Fair

Visitors enjoy cosplay at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

It really does take five days to cover the event, Everything Dinosaur team members felt that they had “hardly scratched the surface”, there was so much to see and do. We even found a few books on dinosaurs…

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

15 10, 2017

The Exclusive Frankfurt Book Fair 2017

By Mike|2024-05-09T14:43:00+01:00October 15th, 2017|Categories: Educational Activities, Main Page, Press Releases, Teaching|0 Comments

Education and Life-long Learning at the Frankfurter Buchmesse

Everything Dinosaur team members found lots of inspiring ideas at the 2017 Frankfurt Book Fair. This huge event, showcasing the world of publishing, attracted some 286,000 visitors over the course of the five days that it was held. Exhibitors from over one hundred countries took part, it was a good job the event organisers had taken so much care and attention over the site layout, despite there being so much to see and do, congestion in the halls was kept to a minimum.

Visitors Attending the 2017 Frankfurter Buchmesse

286,000 visitors attended the 2017 Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Relaxed and Friendly Atmosphere

The spacious walk ways between the stands and exhibition areas, gave Everything Dinosaur team members the opportunity to peruse several displays and to get to grips with some of the latest teaching innovations. Having heeded the advice of the event organisers, our pull along cabin cases were left in the hotel, this enabled us to pass through the numerous security checks quite quickly. This was appreciated, as once again, there were so many stands and sectors on our “to do” list.

One of the sectors visited, was the area of the show dedicated to education – the “Hot Spot Education” zone. It was easy to find and well sign-posted. Once there, team members were able to look at the latest whiteboard technology and other classroom based interactive teaching hardware.

A Visit to the “Hot Spot Education” Area was a Highlight of the Exhibition

The “Education Hot Spot” area.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

“Hot Spot Education”

Lots of innovative teaching technologies were on display, alongside more traditional teaching methods all aimed at inspiring teachers and pupils alike. It was pleasing to see a number of exhibitors tackling the special education needs market and Everything Dinosaur staff enjoyed trying out some of the kinaesthetic themed teaching materials as well as the digital technologies such as the VR (virtual reality) goggles. The “Hot Spot Education” zone provided lots of inspiring ideas and insights, particularly when it came to the latest trends in learning aids.

For dinosaur themed, educational toys and games: Learning with Dinosaurs.

“Professional and Scientific Information Hot Spot”

Located in the same hall as the education zone, the “professional and scientific information hot spot” catered for the needs of academics and librarians. There were lots of specialist texts to peruse and an astounding number of academic publications to review, on just about every subject that we could think of. These areas were certainly very vibrant and we enjoyed examining a number of new publications, particularly those orientated towards the English national curriculum and the concept of working scientifically.

During our, all too brief visit, we even found several books on prehistoric animals. We just couldn’t help ourselves, we had to sit down in one of the many handy seating areas and indulge in our passion for reading about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric life.

A Dinosaur Book on Display

Dinosaur Books at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

A dinosaur book spotted at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

12 10, 2017

Unique Dinosaur Drawings from Galley Common Infants

By Mike|2024-05-09T14:43:50+01:00October 12th, 2017|Categories: Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Unique Dinosaur Drawings from Galley Common Infants

Dinosaur Drawings from Galley Common Infants School

This week, a team member from Everything Dinosaur visited Galley Common Infants School near Nuneaton to conduct a series of dinosaur and fossil themed workshops in support of the Key Stage 1 term topic. Working with classes 3, 4, 5 and 6 our dinosaur expert met a lot of eager and excited young palaeontologists. One child even brought in a fossil! Another pupil brought in their ammonite drawing. Perhaps, this fossil and the drawing could be put on display in one of the classrooms as part of an exhibition of the children’s work on the term topic.

The dedicated teaching team had produced a varied scheme of work that included lesson plans about the life and work of Mary Anning. The tongue-twister we provided as part of a series of extension resources was well received, as was our idea about developing an experiment to explore why asteroids always land in craters? A tray of flour, some marbles and a cricket ball are all the resources required to give KS1 children the chance to have a go making predictions and at working out what makes a fair test.

This is a fun experiment that helps to reinforce learning about the extinction of the dinosaurs. The children certainly demonstrated lots of knowledge and our thanks to Noah who gave our expert a lovely drawing of an ammonite, having been inspired by the seashells that Mary Anning found.

An Ammonite Drawing – How Many Ammonites can you Count?

Can you spot the Ammonites?

Picture credit: Noah/Galley Common Infants School

For educational toys and games: Everything Dinosaur Learning Toys and Games.

Setting Extensions During the Workshops

When working with the four classes, the Everything Dinosaur team member set a number of challenges for the children. One of these challenges involved designing their very own dinosaur. Could they label their dinosaur’s body parts including the skull? Well done to Noah for labelling up his ammonite drawing and for correctly identifying that big ammonites were carnivores. Noah and his friends were fascinated by the spiral shells of these marine creatures and they enjoyed handling the fossils, even the very heavy ones!

A Model of a Brachiosaurus (Herbivorous Dinosaur)

Wild Safari Prehistoric World Brachiosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The model pictured above is from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World collection.

To view this range: Safari Ltd Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

An Ammonite Drawing and Bringing Prehistoric Animals to Life

Scientists and artists have always worked together to create illustrations of long extinct creatures. Illustrating fossil finds would have been something that Mary Anning was very familiar with. This talented fossil hunter with very little formal education, taught herself scientific illustration.

During our visit, the children showed us books about fossils and fossil collecting that they had compiled and we were given some drawings to take home. The little boy who gave us the Brachiosaurus picture also drew a Spinosaurus. He explained that Spinosaurus was a carnivore and that this was his favourite dinosaur. For a few minutes in between workshops, our school visitor was able to talk to the children who had created the books and drawings. The teaching assistant was most impressed when the children could identify which prehistoric animals were carnivores and which ones were herbivores.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

11 10, 2017

Education a “Hot Spot” at the Frankfurter Buchmesse

By Mike|2023-08-17T09:27:47+01:00October 11th, 2017|Categories: Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

“Hot Spot Education” at the Frankfurter Buchmesse

Today, sees the start of the annual Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair), regarded by many teachers and educationalists as the most important trade fair for books, publishing and digital media. Team members at Everything Dinosaur will be attending and we are excited to see (and hear about), the latest developments in the publishing world. This huge international event has attracted over seven thousand exhibitors from over one hundred countries and during the course of the next five days, the Frankfurter Buchmesse will bring over a quarter of a million visitors to Frankfurt.

The Frankfurt Book Fair Starts Today

The Frankfurt Book Fair opens today.

Picture credit: Frankfurt Book Fair

Education a Priority at the Frankfurter Buchmesse

Once again, education and learning take priority at the Frankfurt Book Fair, with many hundreds of exhibitors supporting the education sector in attendance. For those visitors with an interest in education, be they teachers, those who school at home or education practitioners, check out the “Hot Spot Education” zone in Hall 4.2. This part of the exhibition is dedicated to looking at innovations in the fields of teaching and learning aids. The focus is on how digital products and services are changing the classroom, expect plenty of opportunities to try out the latest whiteboards and e-learning solutions.

The “Hot Spot Education” Brings Together Buyers and Suppliers

The Educational Hot Spot at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

A focus on education at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Picture credit: Frankfurt Book Fair

The Use of Digital Technology

The use of digital technology is a day-to-day reality for teachers in all parts of the school system, from pre-school and nursery right up to university and further education. The Frankfurt Book Fair organisers promise that the “Hot Spot Education” area will provide a platform for displaying new products and teaching services. Company stands will feature the latest interactive learning tools and the latest whiteboards and whiteboard software.

For educational prehistoric animal toys and gifts: Dinosaur Toys and Gifts.

In addition, visitors can expect to hear from technology hardware providers that support this sector and to meet consultants who can assist with digital service provision. The special educational needs (SEN) market is particularly strongly represented.

We all like to learn whilst having fun. Whilst visiting this part of the huge exhibition, check out the stands that feature game developers and those companies that support a range of products to help inspire and enthuse young minds through active play.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

10 10, 2017

School Website Upgraded to HTTPS an Important Announcement!

By Mike|2024-05-09T14:45:15+01:00October 10th, 2017|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on School Website Upgraded to HTTPS an Important Announcement!

Website for Schools Upgraded to HTTPS

All of Everything Dinosaur’s websites including this website dedicated to schools, home tutors and educationalists, have been upgraded to https status. These changes, all part of our on-going commitment to protecting visitors to our websites, provide enhance visitor security. The acronym “https” stands for “Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure”. Information sent between the browser of a visitor to one of our websites and our on-line presence, is encrypted helping to protect that person’s data.

As Everything Dinosaur has upgraded to this new security status we are helping to protect your data from any third party that might want to acquire it.

Everything Dinosaur’s Websites have been Upgraded to HTTPS

HTTPS a secure website for Everything Dinosaur.

New security safeguards added to Everything Dinosaur’s website. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

Everything Dinosaur – Protecting Personal Data

Although this website does not collect and store personal data, we do have comments being posted up from our numerous blog articles as well as a lot of visitors downloading free teaching resources and other materials. With these changes, visitors to our websites can be assured that Everything Dinosaur is taking their personal data and security very seriously.

A spokesperson for the company that provides dinosaur and fossil themed workshops in schools explained:

“We meticulously follow guidelines when visiting a school to deliver a dinosaur themed workshop. We take safeguarding issues extremely seriously and it is only natural for us to show the same care and consideration for our virtual business elements too.”

For educational dinosaur themed products: Educational Dinosaur Toys, Gifts and Games.

5 10, 2017

Teaching Hot Spot at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2017

By Mike|2023-08-16T22:05:09+01:00October 5th, 2017|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Teaching Hot Spot at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2017

Hot Spot Education Highlighted at the Frankfurter Buchmesse

One of the highlights at Frankfurt Book Fair which starts next week is the “Hot Spot Education” zone in Hall 4.2. This part of annual Frankfurter Buchmesse aims to bring education providers and prospective customers together, helping to showcase new developments in the fields of innovative teaching and learning tools. The focus will be on distance and e-learning but there will be more than “just a nod” to traditional teaching methods.

Promoting the Joy of Reading – Frankfurter Buchmesse 2017

Time for browsing at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Picture credit: Frankfurt Book Fair

Helping to Bring Educational Developments to the Forefront

The “Hot Spot Education” area will provide a one-stop shop for teachers, those who home school and educational professionals to catch up with the latest learning and teaching innovations. Everything from software and e-tools, to the latest digital whiteboards will be on display. If you ask nicely, you might even be given the chance to try out some of these exciting new classroom tools.

In addition, this part of the Frankfurt Book Fair will look at the role play and games can have in education. There will be information about serious games and some not so serious, but still very educational games. Schools have seen a greater focus on the use of digital technology both within the national curriculum and the cornerstones scheme of work. The “Hot Spot Education” zone provides exclusive access to digital providers and digital content aimed specifically at the education profession.

The Teaching Hotspot

Digital Meets Traditional Teaching at the Frankfurter Buchmesse

The “Education Hot Spot” area.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of educational, dinosaur themed items available from Everything Dinosaur: Learning Gifts from Everything Dinosaur.

The talented organisers of the Frankfurter Buchmesse have listed the sort of product and topic areas that this zone will cover:

Developers and providers of innovative educational content such as interactive learning models and whiteboard software
Providers of innovative teaching and learning concepts such as online learning aids, mobile learning, e-learning models and web applications
Developer and publishers of games and gaming activities
Solution providers in the SEN (Special Educational Needs) sector
Technology provision for educational establishments from nursery to further education

For those members of the teaching profession heading to Frankfurt next week, this is one part of the enormous Frankfurter Buchmesse that they should definitely check out.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

4 10, 2017

Research Suggests Baby Ichthyosaurus Ate Squid

By Mike|2024-04-02T21:36:20+01:00October 4th, 2017|Categories: General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Research Suggests Baby Ichthyosaurus Ate Squid

Fossil of New-born Ichthyosaurus Reveals Last Meal

The fossilised remains of a baby Ichthyosaurus have revealed the last meal of this early Jurassic marine reptile. A group of UK-based researchers, including palaeontologists from the University of Manchester have identified the youngest fossil specimen of a species of Ichthyosaurus named Ichthyosaurus communis. The new-born, had dined on squid before meeting its demise. The scientists can’t be sure why the seventy-centimetre-long ichthyosaur died, but it’s short life (and death), have been preserved in the fossil record and its skeleton is helping palaeontologists to learn a little more about the habits of these beautifully adapted sea creatures.

Palaeontologist Dean Lomax Holds the Ichthyosaurus communis Marine Reptile Fossil

Dean Lomax holding the neonate Ichthyosaurus fossil.

Palaeontologist Dean Lomax holding the baby Ichthyosaurus fossil.

Picture credit: Manchester University/The University of Birmingham

The Last Meal of an Animal that Lived 200 Million Years Ago

Preserved in that part of the fossil where the animal’s stomach would have been, the scientists found lots of tiny “hook-like” structures. These hard, bony hooks come from the arms of squid and this suggests that this baby Ichthyosaurus had caught a squid and eaten it, shortly before it died. Palaeontologists know that some young marine reptiles liked to catch and eat fish, but this baby “Fish Lizard” dined on squid before meeting its own untimely demise.

An Illustration of the Baby Ichthyosaurus Attacking a Squid

The neonate Ichthyosaurus fossil on display.

Dean Lomax (left) and Nigel Larkin (right) in front of the Lapworth Geological Museum exhibit.

Picture credit: Julian Kiely

A spokesperson for Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Finding out about what extinct animals ate by studying things found where their stomachs would have been is very exciting for scientists. They can use this information to help build up a picture about food webs that existed millions of years ago.”

The baby Ichthyosaurus fossil is part of the University of Birmingham fossil collection and it is on display at the Lapworth Geology Museum.

A Replica of a Belemnite (CollectA Belemnite Figure)

CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Size Belemnite model.

To view the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs model range: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models and Figures.

Visit Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

27 09, 2017

Countdown to the Frankfurt Book Fair

By Mike|2023-08-15T14:05:22+01:00September 27th, 2017|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Countdown to the Frankfurt Book Fair

Excitement Builds as Frankfurter Buchmesse Approaches

The countdown has started, there are now just two weeks to go before the start of the annual Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse), the world’s largest event for the book industry and publishing. Running from Wednesday 11th October through to Sunday the 15th October, this year’s gathering of the great and the good in the publishing world promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The Frankfurter Buchmesse 2017

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2017.

Picture credit: Frankfurt Book Fair

Education and Teaching are Prominent at the Frankfurter Buchmesse

The publishing industry’s commitment to education and the next generation of learners is, once again, very prominent. Servicing the needs of the educational sector is one of the key aims of the Frankfurter Buchmesse and this year, over 240 exhibitors representing all aspects of education from preschool and nursery through to adult further education are going to be at this international event.

The majority of the education service and publishing providers can be found in Halls, 4, 5 and 6. There is an especially large number of exhibitors supporting the needs of the primary and elementary schools sector. Teachers, teaching assistants and those staff members tasked with improving literacy amongst children from ages five and upwards, have a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the leading suppliers, experts and consultants providing services to the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 cohorts.

Engaging Young Minds and Encouraging Life-Long Learning

The Educational Hot Spot at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

A focus on education at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Picture credit: Marc Jacquemin/Frankfurt Book Fair

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.