Here are more examples of stimuli that we recommend for different types of inquiries
This can open up talk about kings, queens and democracy. Would it be sensible to have two kings and two queens? And could a child really be a king or queen?
Is it art or not? What constitutes art? Does this help elephant conservation? Lots of questions from all ages guaranteed with this subject.
Vashti has a creative block. She thinks she can’t draw. Her teacher gets her to start with just a single dot. Themes of art, creativity, self-belief, encouragement.
Do you think it would be a good idea to have a robot visit your classroom? If you had a class robot, what would you have it do? Should you call it a boy’s name or a girl’s name? Or just make one up?
The International Kite Festival in India celebrates the move from winter to summer. Families everywhere make their own kites, with children getting up early to catch the wind. Which season do you like the best? Should we have a celebration for every season? Could you design and fly your own kite? https://www.gujarattourism.com/fairs-festivals/cultural-festivals/international-kite-festival-uttarayan
Animation based on the book ‘Beegu’ by Alexis Deacon: Beegu’s spacecraft is stranded on Earth. Now she is lost and can’t make friends with the strange creatures she encounters.
Three baby owls wake up to discover their mother isn’t there. Without her, they feel scared and vulnerable. But then Mum returns, and they feel comfortable and reassured. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell helps tackle anxieties and fears about temporary separation
Hannah loves gorillas and longs to see a real one, but her father is always too busy – or too tired – to take her to the zoo. Then, on the night before her birthday, something extraordinary happens – and Hannah’s wish comes gloriously true. Book by Anthony Browne
This is a scary water slide in Abu Dhabi. It’ll open up discussion about whether we do things that are scary but are fun and allow children to talk about times when they’ve had fun with an element of fear. They could draw their own imaginary scary-but-safe playgrounds.
Children are often told they’re brave in a range of circumstances – brave when they’re hurt, brave when they visit the dentist, brave to do something for the first time. Sometimes they can’t do anything about it – the dentist, for example – but it’s the way they cope with such things that attracts the bravery badge. This episode looks at the different ways we can be brave and ends with the question ‘but how often do you have to be brave to be a brave person?’ It’s a good idea to discuss whether we can be brave in enquiries too. I asked some Y2 children this recently and they said they can be brave if they’re scared to say something or if they say something that seems to go against what others are saying. There are lots of stories and pictures that could accompany this too, such as Ucello’s St George and the Dragon. NEW LINK
A lonely abandoned micro-pig believed to have been an unwanted Christmas present is in need of a new “forever” home. Micro-pigs are ‘designer’ pigs, bred originally for medical research but which caught on very quickly as pets. This one was believed to have been bought as a Christmas present. Is a pig appropriate as a pet? Should we buy animals for Christmas? Should we be interfering with nature? Pets are usually a great stimulus in KS1. Try a starter activity of asking the children what pet they would have and why. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-30935040
The Bikaner Camel Festival is held every year between January 22nd and 24th. It is held as a celebration of the contribution of the camel to the lives of the people of Rajasthan. There are two days of activities and camels are dressed in very ornate trappings. Could humans manage without animals? Can we imagine a world without them? What problems might there be? What are the different ways we interact with animals? http://camelfestival.com/
The story of Noah and his ark is just such a great stimulus. It involves animals (a big plus, especially with our younger children) and this version from Walt Disney is just good fun. There are a lot of other versions but often they’re quite boring. One thing is for sure with this one, the senses will be kept busy. Questions such as ‘which animals should go onto the ark first?’ and ‘If only 3 (or any number you like) were to be saved, which one would they be?’ will help the children explore some of the big ideas behind that story. NEW LINK
Wikipedia link to public domain pictures showing episodes from the story of Saint George. The first picture by Paolo Uccelo shows his defeat of a dragon that had been terrorising a city https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_Uccello#mediaviewer/File:Paolo_Uccello_047b.jpg
This is Owl – Written and illustrated by Kayleigh O’Mara (Reading of original children’s story) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qzvWH8Y9P8
