All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
8 06, 2014

Prehistoric Shark Helps Key Stage 2 Get to Grips with Maths

By | June 8th, 2014|Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Prehistoric Shark Helps Key Stage 2 Get to Grips with Maths

Fossilised Shark Teeth as “Greater Than” and “Less Than” Symbols

Everything Dinosaur team members have developed a number of creative lesson plans to help Key Stage one and Key Stage two pupils to get used to mathematical terms and symbols.  Whether it is using a list of extinct, prehistoric animals to encourage thinking in terms of how data might be presented or learning how to record information accurately by measuring dinosaur teeth, the Everything Dinosaur staff have developed an array of creative lesson plans.

Devising Lesson Plans

A number of Higher Learning Teaching Assistants have approached us asking for advice on how our fossil collection and dinosaur knowledge could be used to help primary school pupils get to grips with mathematical symbols and their correct usage.  For instance, our hard-working staff were asked to think up ways to help children from six years of age recognise and recall what certain signs and symbols represent.

A great deal of emphasis has been placed on young learners being able to make connections between numbers, shapes and symbols.  During upper Key Stage one, school children develop knowledge of and an understanding of symbols used in mathematics.  If we can build in a fun and creative prehistoric animal theme then the pupils will be encouraged to apply their knowledge – so why not use some giant, fossil shark teeth to help children learn about the “less than” and the “greater than” symbols.

C. megalodon Shark Teeth Fossils Help Children with Maths

Fossil shark teeth used to help demonstrate symbols in maths.
Greater than and less than thanks to C. megalodon. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Prehistoric Shark

Everything Dinosaur team members use pictures of the gigantic, fossilised teeth of a huge prehistoric shark commonly called Megalodon, with the scientific epithet – C. megalodon, to create the mathematical symbols.  As children move on from Key Stage one, they are expected to be able to recognise that the position of a number gives its value and to use correctly the “less than” and “greater than” symbols.

A Scale Drawing of Megalodon (Otodus megalodon)

Megalodon scale drawing.
Giant shark Megalodon scale drawing. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The shark teeth are from the company’s extensive fossil collection.  Fortunately, this prehistoric shark became extinct around 1.5 million years ago, extinction is another topic area that team members explore using fossil material.  Teeth from these monsters fascinate children and being able to handle one and view it up close is a memorable experience – helping to reinforce learning.

Note

Following a taxonomic revision this prehistoric shark is now known as Otodus megalodon.

To see the range of prehistoric animal themed items including prehistoric shark models available from Everything Dinosaur: Prehistoric Animal Themed Toys and Gifts.

8 06, 2014

Microwarmer Soft Toy Dinosaurs from Everything Dinosaur

By | June 8th, 2014|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

Dinosaur Soft Toys – Microwarmer Dinosaurs

Just in stock at Everything Dinosaur and timed nicely it seems with the return of cold and showery weather for most of the UK, are these super microwarmer soft toy dinosaurs.  There are three in the series, a cuddly T. rex (if you can imagine such a thing), a friendly Stegosaurus and a cute Triceratops.  These soft toys have a special pocket in their tummies, inside you will find a cloth sachet that contains linseed.  Put this sachet into the microwave to warm up and then pop it back into the dinosaur to create a super, warm and cosy soft toy dinosaur.

Soft Toy Dinosaurs

The Microwarmer Tyrannnosaurus rex Dinosaur Soft Toy

A soft toy that also acts as a hot water bottle.

A soft toy that also acts as a hot water bottle. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

With sales of these items supporting the Natural History Museum, mums and dads are going to like them too.  The sachet pops inside the tummy of the dinosaur and it keeps warm for quite a long time.  These microwarmer dinosaurs are so much more practical than a hot water bottle.

The Soft and Cuddly Stegosaurus in the Range

We have taken out the linseed sachet so you can see how big it is.

We have taken out the linseed sachet so you can see how big it is. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Microwaveable dinosaur soft toys make excellent bedtime buddies for young dinosaur fans. We think these are suitable for children from three years and upwards.  A point made by one of our reviewers was that the material was not only very soft but also sensible, it is sponge washable.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of soft toy dinosaurs including prehistoric plush: Prehistoric Animal Soft Toys.

The Microwarmer Triceratops Dinosaur Soft Toy

A friendly, cute Triceratops soft toy.

A friendly, cute Triceratops soft toy. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Each of these microwaveable soft toys measures at least twelve inches in length, the Stegosaurus is nearly fifteen inches long and they are bound to prove popular with young dinosaur fans.  Each soft toy comes with easy to follow instructions.

Microwave advice as follows (based on a microwave with a turntable and on full power)

Microwave rating 0 to 800 Watts – maximum heating time sixty seconds

Microwave rating from 801 to 1,000 Watts – maximum heating time forty-five seconds

If for any reason you heat up your linseed pouch for too long, and it becomes too hot, no need to worry, simply carefully pick up the sachet and place it on a heat-proof surface to cool down.

Load More Posts