- Alex has a strong interest in dinosaurs and is knowledgeable about them from playing a dinosaur computer game where he knows their names and diets. - Alex enjoys drawing detailed drawings of dinosaurs like brontosaurs and pteranodons that show nests and eggs. - Alex created a dinosaur habitat by painting a shoebox with trees and a volcano and gluing together pieces of a wooden dinosaur.

1. An Investigation into dinosaurs

2. Dinosaur World 24/9/09 For some time now Alex has been playing Dinosaur World. This is a free game downloaded from BBC UK. In it the player can navigate round a landscape using the arrow keys to find all sorts of objects. Nick and Alex were playing and I asked if I could join in. I had to ask how to play the game and Nick told me “ Alex is really good at this game, better than me so he should tell you. Indeed Alex was so good—he knew where to go to find all the clues and knew his way confidently round the whole landscape. He was also very knowledgable about the dinosaurs too—knew their names, and what they ate . I have commented on Alex’s interest in the natural world before when he was interested in volcanoes. He is continuing to develop his theories about the natural world, learning about different areas and extending his interest. He is using the computer to as a tool to ,make sense of his theories and expand his interests. Alex has a perception of himself as a researcher and enjoys looking things up on the internet.

3. Alex’s Drawing of a Brontosaurus Dinosaur videos

4. I wonder what Alex will draw this time??

5. The dinosaur is stomping on the ground and doing footprints. What an amazing drawing Alex. I can see so much detail a dinosaur nest with eggs, two brontosaurus a Pteranadon and some babies. The dinosaur nest and eggs

6. Alex confidence in drawing has gone from strength to strength as he has found a subject area that really engages him. For a couple of weeks now Alex has drawn “long necks” but today he experimented with drawing Pterodactyls and here is the result. Alex never let the Pterodactyl out of his sight all afternoon!! His drawing was so detailed even including a tiny dinosaur nest with eggs and dinosaur footprints. The dinosaur nest and eggs

7. Paleontologist Pablo Gallina shows off these dinosaur footprints, which are believed to be 144million years old. They were discovered in Chuquisaca, Bolivia, and could be the most ancient in South America.

8. This flying reptile is a Pteranodon and it means “Winged and Toothless.” It’s wingspan is 25-30 ft. long and it’s weight is about 55 lbs. A crest is on his head and it has a really short tail.

9. Alex has a passion for dinosaurs at present and has enjoyed the dinosaur computer programme for many days at centre. Guin also has an interest in this area as well which Alex has been following . Alex asked if could make a dinosaur in a box like Guins. Alex chose to paint his shoebox blue, one of his favourite colours. He then painted the interior earthy tones and made dabs of brown terrain with the paint brush. He decided to paint the sides with trees and he stated that “Dinosaurs eat plants and grass.” He also made a volcano with Leeza and glued this to the base of the box. Alex showed patience in having to wait for his turn to make his wooden dinosaur and was delighted with his effort. The pieces had to be numbered and then glued together 1 to 1 and 2 to 2 etc. Alex recognised some numbers but did need some help in this area. I made a list of the numbers and he was then able to look and find the piece in this manner. He became quicker with his number recognition as he continued gluing. Alex was able to identify the larger pieces and could show me where they should go . What a great dinosaur habitat and dinosaur you have made Alex. Can you remember what the name of the dinosaur is? As Alex is very engaged in learning about dinosaurs, I’m sure his exploration through different media will catch his attention and lead him to become knowledgeable on this topic. He has an enquiring mind and by revisiting this area of interest will develop his own theories on the dinosaur and it’s world. Alex has a passion for dinosaurs at present and has enjoyed the dinosaur computer programme for many days at centre. Guin also has an interest in this area as well which Alex has been following . Alex asked if could make a dinosaur in a box like Guins. Alex chose to paint his shoebox blue, one of his favourite colours. He then painted the interior earthy tones and made dabs of brown terrain with the paint brush. He decided to paint the sides with trees and he stated that “Dinosaurs eat plants and grass.” He also made a volcano with Leeza and glued this to the base of the box. Alex showed patience in having to wait for his turn to make his wooden dinosaur and was delighted with his effort. The pieces had to be numbered and then glued together 1 to 1 and 2 to 2 etc. Alex recognised some numbers but did need some help in this area. I made a list of the numbers and he was then able to look and find the piece in this manner. He became quicker with his number recognition as he continued gluing. Alex was able to identify the larger pieces and could show me where they should go . What a great dinosaur habitat and dinosaur you have made Alex. Can you remember what the name of the dinosaur is? As Alex is very engaged in learning about dinosaurs, I’m sure his exploration through different media will catch his attention and lead him to become knowledgeable on this topic. He has an enquiring mind and by revisiting this area of interest will develop his own theories on the dinosaur and it’s world. DINOSAUR HABITAT

10. APATOSAURUS Here is the finished landscape.