The Science of Sheep for Primary Teachers

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The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

Farming & Countryside Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Contents

Introducton Page 3

Sheep in the EYFS curriculum Page 4

Sheep in the KS1:Y1 curriculum Page 5

Sheep in the KS1:Y2 curriculum Page 6

Sheep in the KS2:Y3 curriculum Page 7

Sheep in the KS2:Y4 curriculum Page 8

Sheep in the KS2:Y5 curriculum Page 9

Sheep in the KS1:Y6 curriculum Page 10

Further informaton and resources for teachers Page 11

More sheep actvites Page 12

Appendix 1 Symptoms cards Page 13

Appendix 2 Disease cards Page 14

Appendix 3 Treatment cards Page 15

Appendix 4 Sheep stratfcaton students’ copy Pages 16-21

Appendix 5 Sheep stratfcaton teacher’s copy Pages 22-27

LEAF Educaton and RBST Page 28

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Introducton

LEAF Educaton has worked with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) to develop this e- booklet of ideas and actvites for primary schools with a focus on sheep. LEAF Educaton is a fan of collaboratve working and on this project shares its expertse in educaton with RBST’S knowledge of animal husbandry.

Partcular thanks go to LEAF Educaton’s East of England Consultant Gaina Dunsire with support from Gail Sprake, RBST’s Chair of Trustees and Secretary of the Southdown Sheep Associaton .

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Sheep in the EYFS curriculum

Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing EYFS: Anatomy Name & identfy Use a farm visit, your school’s animals, stufed toys, or Nursery & images of animals and birds – ask the class to name Recepton Compare, sort & and describe them, and the diferences in the basic group anatomy between sheep and the other animals e.g. number of legs, wings, fur, teeth. Simple classifca- Animal hangman. ton Give a picture of an animal to one student – the rest of the class have 5 questons to guess what animal it is Verbally com- e.g. how many legs does it have? The teacher draws municate fnd- the answers on the board to reveal the ani- ings mal….hopefully! Make sheep on stcks (p9)or 3D models or use mime, stories, songs & card games to learn more about sheep & other animals’ basic anatomy.

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Sheep in the KS1:Y1 curriculum Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing KS1: Year Food Simple classifca- Discuss the body parts of a sheep – in partcular its 1 Chains ton teeth and stomachs (simple diagrams are available online). Use real sheep or a skull if possible. Paterns & rela- Watch what, and how, a sheep eats (real sheep or flm tonships clip). Mime it! Is it a herbivore, carnivore or omnivore? Compare with other animals. Communicate & “Flerd” record fndings On their hands & knees mime how focks of sheep eat (nibble the grass with their teeth) and then how herds of cows eat (pull the grass with their tongues, and last- ly how dogs pant with excitement.

Number the students and choose which numbers are to mime what e.g. odd numbers are sheep, even numbers are cows. They move around miming, eatng in the correct way. Say they can’t all be mixed up into a ‘ferd’!! - the sheep belong in one feld (choose a side of the room) and the cows belong in the other feld (the other side of the room), so the dogs must separate them. Choose 2-3 random numbers to be dogs e.g. 3 & 12 & call them out - the dogs must chase and ‘tag’ the sheep and cows before they reach the wall on the correct side of the room. Repeat several tmes, changing which mime is odd & even numbers, and with diferent numbers as the dogs. Who eats what? Match the plant, animal and human food items with the animal e.g empty packaging for milk, eggs, sau- sages. Record on a table using images/text/ drawings

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Sheep in the KS1:Y2 curriculum Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing KS1: Year Life Cycles Observing chang- Visit your sheep and lambs 2 & Seasons es over tme Sheep farming year pie chart

Discuss what tme of year lambs are born and why - the life-cycle of sheep links with the seasons. Cre- Paterns & rela- ate a pie chart with drawings, collage, text, images tonships etc.

Autumn: The male (Ram) is put with the female Communicate & (Ewes) whilst they graze the grass. All the sheep are record fndings given medicine to stop them getng worms. Winter: The ewes eat grass but are also given hay (dried grass with seeds for protein) so they grow strong & healthy. The ewes are vaccinated to prevent disease. Some breeds are put in a barn in bad weather. Spring: The ewes give birth to lambs – usually 1 or 2. The lamb drinks its mothers’ milk which contains nutrients and ant-bodies against disease. Ewes are given worm medicine, lambs are given vaccinatons. Summer: The ewes are sheared for their wool. The lambs eat grass and grow fast. Some will be sold for meat, some will be kept to breed more sheep. All the sheep are treated to prevent fies atacking their skin.

More informaton about a sheep’s year

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Sheep in the KS2 Y3 curriculum

Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing KS2: Year Habitats Relatonship be- Visit your sheep and lambs (or use flm clips) and (and/ 3 tween living or other animals). Discuss their (and our!) basic things & their needs; food, water, shelter, health & safety. Show environment images of them in a farm/wild environment. Mini-felds & barns Presentng fnd- In groups, students create a habitat which includes a ings sheep’s (or other animals’) basic needs. This can be done outside, or using a cardboard box inside to recreate a barn. Students collect twigs, leaves etc for fences & shelter, dried grass for hay, small pots with water, moss for hedges etc. Their work is pre- sented and explained to the class. School Wildlife Assessment Watch a flm about farms as habitats for wildlife too

What wildlife can students fnd in your school grounds?

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Sheep in the KS2 Y4 curriculum

Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing

KS2: Year Use of Ma- Textures Visit your sheep and feel the texture of their feece. 4 terials Describe it - dry, wet, greasy, sof? Comparatve fair Student-designed experiments testng For example: test the strength of wool in diferent forms - feece, Appropriate en- spun single thread, 3 threads, knited etc using quiries weights or other methods Secondary test how waterproof feece is unwashed or washed, Sources or compared to other materials feathers, coton, plastc etc test how insulatng wool is compared to other materials e.g. measure the temperature of water as it cools Investgate the diferent uses for wool and lanolin using secondary sources. Sheep shearing – how is it done & why? Video clip

How much is wool worth (historically compared to now)? Sheep & wool craf actvites

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Sheep in the KS2: Y5 curriculum

Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing

KS2: Year Health & Using evidence Visit your sheep (and/or other animals). 5 Nutriton to justfy & ex- Vet for the day plain Discuss what would you look for to check your animal is comfortable and healthy? Communicate & Eyes, teeth, tongue, wool conditon, feet, positon, en- Report fndings ergy, appette, noise, temperature. In the classroom; Students work in pairs. Secondary One is the farmer – who chooses a Symptoms card and Sources reads it to their partner. Their partner, who is the Vet, looks at the Disease cards and decides what the sheep has, and tells the farmer about the disease. The farmer and the vet look at the Treatment cards together to decide what they have to do to look afer their sheep and the rest of the fock. Students choose one of their diagnoses & treatments and writes up their fndings in the style of a report for the farmer, more detail could be added using research from secondary sources. Feedback their fndings to the class as a role-play

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Sheep in the KS2:Y6 curriculum

Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing KS2: Year Breeding Systematcally Discuss genes & genetcs using humans then sheep as 6 & Genetcs use more com- examples. Show how sheep have changed over tme plex classifcaton and geography – e.g. compare sheep from Egypt to Shetland – why do they look so diferent? Using secondary Sheep and the UK landscape – what is the role and pur- sources pose of sheep farming? (meat, wool, soil fertlity, land management, employment etc) Understand & Stratfcaton Task (See Appendices 4 and 5) predict Study the key features of your sheep. Are you able to identfy which breed your school’s sheep is?! Are they Presentng data a lowland, upland or hills breed? Investgate the stratfed breeding system to understand how genetc diferences are used by scientsts and farmers to breed sheep which are suited to diferent topography & climate, and for diferent commercial purposes e.g. meat, wool or breeding. In groups, students are given a farm in an area of the UK (give them a large simple UK map with the various farms numbered). Students study the diferent sheep profles and decide which breed is best suited for their farm. Explain their choice verbally to the class. Can you improve your sheep’s productvity whilst making sure it is stll suitable for your climate & topography by ‘crossing’ diferent breeds? Show your choice using a fow chart, annotate the diferent features you predict the resultng sheep would have.

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Further informaton & resources for teachers

Countryside Classroom Natonal Sheep Associaton Rare Breed Survival Trust Britsh Wool FACE/NFU – Why Farming Maters to the South Downs p.15-19 RSPCA Twinkl AHDB Beef & Lamb

LEAF Educaton

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

More sheep actvites

This booklet contains links to a variety of resources with a sheep theme. Most of these can be found on the Countryside Classroom website - just do a search for sheep in the resources secton! www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk

LEAF Educaton

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Appendix 1 Symptoms cards (Cut into individual cards and mix them up)

SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS My sheep…. My sheep…. My sheep…. My sheep…. Is eatng less Is limping on one of Is limping on its back Is eatng less its back legs legs Is stamping its feet Is making a lot of Is smelly Is eatng less and noise and stares at Is trying to scratch drooling me its back Has pus coming Is coughing Is smelly from its nose Has a swollen neck Has maggots on its Is just lying around feece Has diarrhoea with Has a weird col- blood in it oured tongue which is swollen

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Appendix 2 Disease cards

DISEASE DISEASE DISEASE DISEASE

Flystrike Footrot Blue tongue Anthrax

Flystrike is caused by fies Footrot is caused by two Blue tongue is a virus which Anthrax is caused by laying their eggs on a bacteria which live in the is spread by midges which bacteria and spread by sheep’s skin soil and sheep manure, but are sometmes blown by breathing them in, or can live in a sheep’s hoof the wind from Europe to touching them It can make sheep stamp the UK their feet and try to Footrot has a bad smell Sheep will have a high scratch where the mag- Sheep with the virus will temperature and shiver Sheep with footrot will limp gots are have a high temperature on one or more of their They will cough, eat less and drool They might not eat very feet and have stomach ache much They will have a swollen Their eyes go bright and mouth, head or neck and In bad cases you can see staring pus coming from its eyes the maggots and smell the and nose They have blood in their rotng skin nostrils or dung It might be lame in its back legs

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Appendix 3 Treatment cards

TREATMENT TREATMENT TREATMENT TREATMENT

Take the sheep Take the sheep away Take temperature Do not move it and away from the rest from the rest of the and look in its keep other sheep of the fock fock—it is very mouth for ulcers away contagious! Remove and kill the This disease must be Take its tempera- maggots Trim the infected reported ture but wear hoof immediately to gloves Shave the area Defra (the Soak the foot in an Clean the area with Apply a chemical government) ant-bacterial wash disinfectant “insectcide” to kill Keep it away from the eggs Think about The disease must other sheep vaccinatng be reported The is no cure so it immediately to might die Defra (the government) Think about vaccinatng the rest Keep other sheep of the fock away

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Appendix 4 Sheep stratfcaton Students’ copy (Cut into individual cards and mix them up)

Herdwick Swalesdale

Strong feet and teeth Britain's hardest breed Small sheep Strong and agile (moves quickly and Can cope with wild areas and very easily) harsh weather Very waterproof feece Strong and brave Good mothers Good for both meat and wool Slow growing Can live of just grass Rams weigh up to 73kg Rams weigh up to 90kg Ewes weigh up to 54kg Ewes weigh up to 60kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Student Cards

Whitefaced Dartmoor Derbyshire Gritstone

Hardy sheep – they can live on Big and strong land up to 600m high Agile (moves quickly and easily) Can live of just grass Very waterproof and good quali- Excellent mothers ty feece Curly feece Good mothers

Rams weigh up to 75kg Rams weigh up to 110kg Ewes weigh up to 54kg Ewes weigh up to 74kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Student Cards

Bluefaced Leicester Clun Forest

Produces lots of lambs Very alert, good mothers Fast growing Can adapt to diferent environments Can live on land up 300-500m Need litle extra food as they are good Good for crossing with hill breeds foragers Live a long tme Rams weigh up to 150kg Ewes weigh up to 86kg Rams weigh up to 90kg Ewes weigh up to 65kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Student Cards

Kerry Hill

Hardy breed – can live on land up to 500m high Thick feece Adaptable to diferent environments Good mothers

Rams weigh up to 80kg Ewes weigh up to 65kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Student Cards

Sufolk Romney

Big and fast growing Likes grassland, can live on marshy land Good quality meat Water resistant feece Not hardy but has hard hooves Thick, heavy wool Ewes give birth easily and produce lots of Generally healthy but slower growing milk Good quality meat

Rams weigh up to 150kg Rams weigh up to 77kg Ewes weigh up to 90kg Ewes weigh up to 64kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Student Cards

Lincoln Longwool

Big sheep Very long, thick wool Suited to cold but dry climates Gentle character

Rams weigh up to 114kg Ewes weigh up to 91kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Appendix 5 Sheep stratfcaton Teacher’s copy

Hill Farm Sheep (above 500m)

1.Herdwick 2.Swalesdale

Britain's hardest breed Strong feet and teeth Strong and agile (moves quickly and easi- Small sheep ly) Can cope with wild areas and very Very waterproof feece harsh weather Good mothers Strong and brave Slow growing Good for both meat and wool Can live of just grass Rams weigh up to 73kg Rams weigh up to 90kg Ewes weigh up to 54kg Ewes weigh up to 60kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Hill Farm Sheep (above 500m)

3. Whitefaced Dartmoor 4. Derbyshire Gritstone

Big and strong Hardy sheep – they can live on land up to Agile (moves quickly and easily) 600m high Very waterproof and good quality feece Can live of just grass Good mothers Excellent mothers Curly feece Rams weigh up to 110kg Ewes weigh up to 74kg Rams weigh up to 75kg Ewes weigh up to 54kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Upland Sheep (300-500m)

5. Bluefaced Leicester 6. Clun Forest

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Upland Sheep (300-500m)

7. Kerry Hill

Hardy breed – can live on land up to 500m high Thick feece Adaptable to diferent environments Good mothers

Rams weigh up to 80kg Ewes weigh up to 65kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Lowland Sheep (below 300m)

8. Sufolk 9. Romney

Big and fast growing Likes grassland, can live on marshy Good quality meat land Not hardy but has hard hooves Water resistant feece Ewes give birth easily and produce Thick, heavy wool lots of milk Generally healthy but slower growing Rams weigh up to 150kg Good quality meat Ewes weigh up to 90kg Rams weigh up to 77kg Ewes weigh up to 64kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

Lowland Sheep (below 300m)

10. Lincoln Longwool

Big sheep Very long, thick wool Suited to cold but dry climates Gentle character

Rams weigh up to 114kg Ewes weigh up to 91kg

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

The Science of Sheep for primary teachers

LEAF Education and RBST

LEAF Educaton (formerly Farming and Countryside Educaton) works with school communites to help children and young adults understand the connecton between farming and their daily lives.

Linking Environment and Farming (charity number 1045781).

Rare Breeds Survival Trust RBST is the only UK charity dedicated to securing the future of our rare and natve breeds of farm live- stock. RBST saves genetcs in its Gene Bank. If a breed were to become extnct, this can be used to re- vive a breed. In emergencies, RBST will buy genetcally important stock and place it in approved breeding centres. RBST promotes rare and natve farm breeds and provides a network of knowledge to support and encourage breeders.

Contact LEAF Educaton

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park Warwickshire CV8 2LG

[email protected]

024 7641 3911 @LEAF_Educaton facebook.com/FarmingAndCountrysideEducaton/

LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG