Key terminology

Night, day, [nocturnal], [diurnal]

The video does not mention the words nocturnal or diurnal.

Scientific explanations

Some creatures are active at night

Some creatures are active during the day

Screen – what it does/how to use it

A 4 minute film about the significant differences and adaptations between nocturnal (bats, voles, owls, fishing cats) and diurnal (kookaburra,a lyre bird, howler monkeys) animals and birds.

Teacher interventions

To stimulate discussion, after watching the film:

• Ask the children to list features of animals that are active during the day/ active during the night
• Can they think og other examples of nocturnal/diurnal animals and birds

Related lesson plans / class activities

• Children could practise imitating birdcalls, including some of those illustrated in the clip.
• Listen again to the ‘dawn chorus’ section of the clip, then ask children to produce a dawn chorus of their own, gradually joining in with their own bird imitation, until the whole class is singing.
• Pupils might enjoy a visit to an outdoor area, where they can listen out for birdcalls.
• Children could research birdsong using internet sources.
• Ask the children to co-operate to draw a set of cards, showing all the different animals from the clip. They could add any other animals they know to be active mostly by day or by night. Shuffle the cards and challenge individuals to sort them into a ‘day’ and ‘night’ pile. The fastest sorter wins.

Links to related resources

KS1 Quiz: to identify animals in local environment (all diurnal)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/6_7/plants_animals_env.shtml

KS1 power point can be downloaded explaining nocturnal and diurnal animals

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=nocturnal%20and%20diurnal%20animals%20ks1

KS1: download sorting cards for nocturnal and diurnal animals (N.B. Teacher has to login to website)

http://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-6835-nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals-sorting-activity