The DNA Detectives – To Catch A Thief
The DNA Detectives – To Catch A Thief
This workshop has been designed to act as a teaching resource for literacy and science and is based on my first children’s book of the same title where the characters in the book use DNA to catch a pet thief. In the workshop children will create a “wow” word sculpture, help write a chapter in my book, find out about the importance of word order in a sentence, find out about DNA, use DNA to solve a crime and create electromagnets.
The DNA Detectives – To Catch A Thief
This workshop has been designed to act as a teaching resource for literacy and science and is based on my first children’s book of the same title where the characters in the book use DNA to catch a pet thief. In the workshop children will create a “wow” word sculpture, help write a chapter in my book, find out about the importance of word order in a sentence, find out about DNA, use DNA to solve a crime and create electromagnets.
PHOTO’S OF THE WORKSHOP
PREPARATION OF THE WORKSHOP
I really enjoyed making and tracking down props for this workshop and getting all the elements together which included making a short presentation of how I had come up with the idea of the book and putting together photos of my children, Annabelle and Harry and our dog Milly so the audience can see who the characters in the book are based on.
I made a shed using a Wendy house and fantastic wooden plank effect material, five dog beds, created posters of DNA profiles for the stolen dogs and the pet thief, took photos of the dogs in the workshop and wrote details about each of the dogs for the children to read out. I loved tracking down the props for the evidence including dog fur, a syringe, fake dog poo, cigarettes, dog toys, a bowl, brushes and bones!
I also found outfits for the pet thief and the policeman. I really enjoyed finding props for the six locations used to inspire the children’s imaginations when they help me write a chapter and making the photos and recording music for each location to use with the story cube. I consulted several schools to track down the best thesaurus for the children to use and finally I practiced making electromagnets and had a run through with my children to make sure all the elements of the workshop came together.
I hope you enjoy looking at the photographs of my journey!
Requirements for the workshop
- A hall, classroom or large space where children can sit and watch the workshop.
- Access to electricity if possible.
- Access to a projector and screen (I can provide these if not available)
- A table and four chairs
PREPARATION OF THE WORKSHOP
I really enjoyed making and tracking down props for this workshop and getting all the elements together which included making a short presentation of how I had come up with the idea of the book and putting together photos of my children, Annabelle and Harry and our dog Milly so the audience can see who the characters in the book are based on.
I made a shed using a Wendy house and fantastic wooden plank effect material, five dog beds, created posters of DNA profiles for the stolen dogs and the pet thief, took photos of the dogs in the workshop and wrote details about each of the dogs for the children to read out. I loved tracking down the props for the evidence including dog fur, a syringe, fake dog poo, cigarettes, dog toys, a bowl, brushes and bones!
I also found outfits for the pet thief and the policeman. I really enjoyed finding props for the six locations used to inspire the children’s imaginations when they help me write a chapter and making the photos and recording music for each location to use with the story cube. I consulted several schools to track down the best thesaurus for the children to use and finally I practiced making electromagnets and had a run through with my children to make sure all the elements of the workshop came together.
I hope you enjoy looking at the photographs of my journey!
Requirements for the workshop
- A hall, classroom or large space where children can sit and watch the workshop.
- Access to electricity if possible.
- Access to a projector and screen (I can provide these if not available)
- A table and four chairs
ABOUT, CURRICULUM LINKS & COSTS
DETAILS ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
HOW THIS WORKSHOP LINKS WITH THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM
“The DNA Detectives – To catch a thief” – workshop
This workshop has been designed to accompany my first children’s book “The DNA Detectives – To catch a thief”. It has been created as a resource to help and inspire children with a love of literacy and science.
Suitable for Year 1 – Year 7
£200
DETAILS ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
HOW THIS WORKSHOP LINKS WITH THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM
“The DNA Detectives – To catch a thief” – workshop
This workshop has been designed to accompany my first children’s book “The DNA Detectives – To catch a thief”. It has been created as a resource to help and inspire children with a love of literacy and science.
Suitable for Year 1 – Year 7
£200
RISK ASSESSMENT
DNA DETECTIVES - TO CATCH A THIEF
DNA DETECTIVES - TO CATCH A THIEF
USEFUL VIDEO’S AND PDF’S
EXPLANATION OF X AND Y CHROMOSOME
CAN YOU MATCH THE DNA TO THE DOG?
CAN YOU MATCH THE DNA TO THE DOG ANSWER?
CRIMINAL SNAP PART 1
CRIMINAL SNAP PART 1 ANSWER
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF DNA IS FROM A BOY OR GIRL
WHO STOLE THE SWEET?
EXPLANATION OF X AND Y CHROMOSOME
CAN YOU MATCH THE DNA TO THE DOG?
CAN YOU MATCH THE DNA TO THE DOG ANSWER?
CRIMINAL SNAP PART 1
CRIMINAL SNAP PART 1 ANSWER
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF DNA IS FROM A BOY OR GIRL
WHO STOLE THE SWEET?
WEBLINKS
Web links for “The DNA Detectives – To Catch a Thief” workshop
I have compiled some great web links with the assistance of the public engagement team at the Sanger Institute. The weblinks have been developed to help you learn more about literacy, DNA, cells, forensic science and electromagnets just like in the workshop.
There are some great video clips to watch, some fantastic online games to play where you get to write a story, learn about sentence structure, use an online thesaurus to help discover some “wow” words, become a forensic scientist and analyse the evidence you collect, you can go to a virtual online laboratory and extract DNA, find out how to make a DNA bracelet or even try and extract some DNA from fruit at home!
You can even print out the DNA evidence like Annabelle and Harry used in the book (which the workshop is based on) to see if you can be a DNA Detective and solve the crime!
DNA DETECTIVES - TO CATCH A THIEF WEBLINKS
DNA DETECTIVES - TO CATCH A THIEF WEBLINKS
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