Ramsgate Arts Primary pupils learn about the cycle of life

Pupils with the chicks

The magic of life has been witnessed first-hand by children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

A batch of chicken eggs have been observed over a period of days as part of the pupils’ topic Ready Steady Grow.

The eggs were kept in a special incubator in class while Reception year group pupils took turns to record any development and researched the passage of life from egg to chick. They also wrote down their thoughts and these were collated on a large board with pictures, photos and information.

When the chicks hatched the boys and girls couldn’t wait to hold their fluffy days-old feathered friends.

Teacher Sophie Spurrier is Early Years Foundation Studies Lead at RAPS. She said: “The children were so excited to be able to watch the magical transformation from an egg in an incubator hatching into a fluffy chick. It was fascinating to see them transfixed as they welcomed them into the world.

“It gave us the chance to discuss life cycles, learn how to care for the chicks, discuss how animals change as they grow. One of the chicks sadly died but was very poorly from being born, and the children were great at dealing with this and understanding it as part of the life cycle.

“It was a great hands on opportunity for the children and an amazing WOW moment for class.

“It has been such a buzz and the children haven’t stopped writing to them, making gifts for them and have been very kind and caring. We have even had a vote to name them.”

Head of School Nick Budge said: “Hands-on learning gives education a better dimension and our girls and boys in Reception are learning valuable aspects about the journey of life. They gain so much from initiatives like this.

“They are captivated by the chicks and what they are learning about them as they develop. It is a perfect experience and is a brilliant way to learn. It is something they will never forget.”

3 Comments

  1. Hopefully this teaches the children NOT to eat meat.. but I doubt the teachers are allowed to say this as its all prescripted not to offend anyone … wonder if the what came first the chicken or the egg was asked??

  2. This is not teaching the cycle of life. This is teaching irresponsibility in giving away chicks once they are no longer cute. The article also doesn’t address the culling of chicks that are returned, the deformities that come from inexperienced adults attempting to incubate little lives that have been brought into the world purely to educate when there are many other ways. Caterpillars for instance which can be grown and then released as butterflies which actually has benefits to nature if you have to have hands on experience. I am the Kent Coordinator for the British Hen Welfare Trust and the charity where I hold my rehoming’s get chicks dumped with them constantly during this time of year – usually deformed, with broken bones and suffering from malnutrition. Please if you are reading this article and considering it have a look at the resources available on the links below instead and teach the children that life is to be respected and not treated like this. https://www.bhwt.org.uk/fun-learning/chick-hatching-in-schools/ https://www.raystede.org/blog/the-problems-with-hatching-projects/

  3. Well done ramsgate arts for it’s well rounded and original approach to teaching. I think the welfare of all creatures is paramount to the school and that this has been deeply misconstrued. Rock on ramsgate arts.

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