Ask the Expert

Turn your pupils into budding young reporters!

This short interview-style activity will give pupils the opportunity to meet and interview one of the Trust’s expert bird staff and talk about their profession.

Pupils will ask questions to find out how they became involved with birds, what training and qualifications they have, as well as the favourite aspects of their job and the most interesting thing about it.

The member of staff being interviewed will bring along his or her favourite bird too and pupils will find out about the training of this bird as well as a bit about its personality, temperament, likes and dislikes. They’ll learn about the species and discover new words that describe the different parts of the anatomy and physical features of a bird of prey.

Teachers are encouraged to spend some time with pupils before the visit to prepare some questions and explore what it is they would like to find out during the interview.

This session has been developed to provide pupils with a unique opportunity to write a report about what they have learned from an expert in an unusual field. This supports the continuing development of confidence of individual conversation and listening skills. Pupils will be encouraged to take notes during the interview so they can recall what they have learnt back at school.

Subject areas:

English (speaking and listening)

Subject links to:

Science, Media

Adaptable for:

Key Stage 2 – Key Stage 4 (can be adapted for Key Stage 1 as a show and tell style activity)

Objectives:

• As a group, interview a professional in an unusual profession.
• Ask relevant questions, take notes and gather information to enable writing a report about what has been learnt.
• Prepare ideas and questions before the interview.

Curriculum links:

• Use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas.
• Composition (articulating ideas and structuring them in speech and writing).
• Ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and knowledge.
• Maintain attention and participate actively in collaborative conversations, staying on topic and initiating and responding to comments.
• Writing narratives about personal experiences and those of others.
• Planning or saying out loud what they are going to write about.

Running time:

20-30 minutes

If you are interested in finding out more or booking one of our on-site school workshops, please get in touch using the below form.