Minibeasts (EYFS)
EYFS, KS 1, 2; Early Years, First, Second Stage.
Ages 3 - 11
DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins
OVERVIEW: Minibeasts have existed for around 550 million years and make up approximately 97% of creatures on Earth!
In fact, the UK alone is home to 25,000 different species - these little creatures are quite a big deal. Let’s look at Minibeasts together!
During ZooLab’s workshop, children get a fun introduction to invertebrates and classification. They get to question, investigate and learn about scientific discovery.
This workshop answers all the big questions such as - What do Minibeasts have inside them? Are there any similarities between our bodies and theirs?
Animals used in this workshop
Key Workshop Objectives
• Define what a Minibeast is
• Explain how animals are grouped into invertebrates and vertebrates
• Explore the different groups of invertebrate
• Discuss invertebrate body structures
• Consider why Minibeasts are important
Curriculum Outcomes England & Wales
Curriculum Outcomes Scotland
This workshop includes FREE RESOURCES!
What is a Minibeast?
A Minibeast is a creature without a backbone. In fact, Minibeasts don’t have any bones at all - their bodies have different structures for movement and protection.
Invertebrates come in many shapes and sizes, living in a variety of different habitats in almost all parts of the world.
MollusicsSnails, slugs, octopuses.
Soft bodied. No legs.
Annelids
Worms, leeches.
Many body segments. No legs.
Coelenterate
Jellyfish, coral, sea anemones.
Aquatic and single internal cavity.
Echinoderm
Starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins.
Aquatic and hard, spiny covering/skins.
The next group is so big it has to be broken down further! Arthropods - the largest phylum of creatures on Earth have an exoskeleton, a segmented body and paired jointed legs.
Insects
Ants, bees, cockroaches
6 legs and 3 body segments
Arachnids
Spiders, scorpions, mites
8 legs and 2 body segments
Crustacean
Crabs, shrimps and woodlice
10-22 legs and a hard exoskeleton
Myriapod
Centipedes and millipedes
Many legs and segments
