The singing trees
| Links to the story | Key Stage 2 and 3 programmes of study | Possible learning outcomes | Big ideas |
| The singing trees | asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them KS2 Science, Working Scientifically | to ask questions about what we encounter on a walk and suggest scientific ways of investigating them. |
Scientific inquiries begin with an observation that is quirky, unusual or odd. Walking past a bush in the winter that was singing is one such observation.
The story suggests that the tree sparrows are warm, hidden amongst the branches, with access to local food.
It is relatively easy to test these ideas (scientists call them hypotheses). A thermometer can compare the temperature inside the bush and outside (but be careful not to disturb the birds!).
Counting the number of birds that can be seen inside the bush over a period of a few hours, as they come and leave the bush will give an indication of their visibility.
Likewise, an observation of the number of visits by birds to the feeder and the journey of the birds afterwards, will give an idea whether the birds are coming to the feeders from the bush.
This is the basis of investigations into natural history.