Activity overview
Science topics:
Plants
Take a closer look at this everyday object. Will the class be able to work out what it is? You’ll be developing your pupils’ observation, reasoning and discussion skills.
Run the activity
You will be zooming in and out of the image above – starting very close and stepping back slowly.
1. Start by asking everyone:
- What do they think the image is and why?
- What does the image remind them of and why?
2. Every time you zoom out, ask the class:
- Can they describe the colours, shapes and textures?
- What do they think the image is now – have they changed their minds?
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How to run Zoom In, Zoom Out activitiesBackground science
Like other plants, pine trees reproduce by producing seeds but unlike many plants, pine trees do not produce flowers. The seeds develop inside green pine cones, which grow on the tree for about two years. When they are ripe, the cones turn brown and the scales open up to release the seeds, which are dispersed by wind. It is common to find pine cones that have had all of their scales nibbled off by squirrels. This is because squirrels want to eat the seeds as they are very nutritious.
Take it further
Fir cones come in all shapes and sizes from different sorts of pine tree, why not challenge your children to look out for different ones and bring examples back into school? Or, they might like to make a pine cone bird feeder like the one from the RSPB website.
Children could research the different ways non-flowering plants reproduce. This DK findout! page will help