Science in the Language Class

Arnaud introduction in Spanish

Games linked to the South American project and animals:

Note: The language learning is for European Spanish, as per curriculum in UK schools, and not South American Spanish. 

1. Giant anteater habitat game

This board game focuses on learning about the threats facing the giant anteater's habitat. 

2. Juego de oso hormiguero gigante

This fun board game is designed around the giant anteater and introduces basic Spanish phrases.

3. Especies en peligro

This board game introduces four South American animals - giant armadillo, giant anteater, Linne's two toed sloth and the jaguar. It includes challenge cards to discover facts and threats facing these animals and uses the Spanish translations to investigate some common Spanish vocabulary.  The giant anteater and Linne's two toed sloth can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. 

4. South American classification game

Games linked to Spain

Note: In partnership with StampIT

1. Juego de la oca

Juego de la oca is a traditional Spanish board game appearing in thousands of variations. We partnered with StampIT to provide this version of the game which uses postage stamps to learn some common nouns in Spanish. 

• Juego de la oca

2. El juego filatélico

This is a sorting game which investigates the following categories: la cuidad; los animals y las plantas; la comida y la bebida; la gente; la música y las artes. We partnered with StampIT to provide this game. 

• El juego filatélico

Edinburgh Zoo animal fact files

At the time of production all animals listed in this booklet can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.

Worksheets

This set of Spanish games have been produced in partnership with StampIT 

StampIT also has a selection of games for assisting with language learning in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese and Gaelic.

In partnership with StampIT:

Spanish Competition

Fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives all starting from one postage stamp. There is no time limit for entries as this competition will continue to run each year and be entered into the appropriate Scottish Philatelic Annual Congress. Details at StampIT website

1. L'escargot partula

This board game is designed for learning about the range, diet, habitat, threats and breeding of the Partula snails from the French Polynesia islands. The game also includes a fun 'slime trail' activity which uses language & literacy skills.

2. Le jeu du lynx boréal

This fun board game is designed around the northern lynx and introduces basic French phrases. 

3. French classification game

4. Espèces menacées

This board game introduces four species of lemurs which are only found in Madagascar. It includes challenge cards to discover facts and threats facing the lemurs and uses the French translations to investigate some common Spanish vocabulary. 

5. Polar bear bingo

Learn the names for different body parts in French with close up pictures of the polar bear.

Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park animal fact files

At the time of production all animals listed in these booklets can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo or the Highland Wildlife Park.

The set of French games have been produced in partnership with Institut Français. 

In partnership with StampIT:

French Competition 

Fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives all starting from one postage stamp. There is no time limit for entries as the competition will continue to run each year and be entered into the appropriate Scottish Philatelic Annual Congress. There are also more French games available at StampIT.

Der Schwarzstorch

This board game is designed for learning about habitat, range, adaptations, diet, breeding and threats to the black stork. The 'egg' cards are a fun element which use various language and literacy skills.

La Lince Europea

This board game is designed for learning about habitat, range, adaptations, diet, breeding and threats to the European (or northern) lynx. The 'pawprint' cards are a fun element which use various language and literacy skills.

1. Snow Monkey Challenge Game 

This fun board game is designed as an introduction to Japan, its wildlife and introduces some basic Japanese phrases.

2. Monkey business

This game is designed for learning about the range, diet, habitat, lifestyle and breeding of the snow monkey. As the three wise monkeys legend is based on the snow monkey, an additional fun element of the game is the 'see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil' challenges which use various language and literacy skills. 

3. Family tree activity

An activity which challenges pupils to use and interpret various forms of information and therefore learn about the hierarchy within a Japanese macaque troop and also about Japanese family names. 

4. Senses game

A matching activity to recognise the senses body parts and their kanji characters.

5. Japanese classification game

A matching game for the five vertebrate groups using Japanese animals. The names can be matched in either hiragana or katakana using the reference tables. 

6. Snow monkey lifecycle poster

Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park animal fact files

At the time of production all animals listed in these booklets can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo or the Highland Wildlife Park.

Japanese Pack

The set of Japanese games have been produced in partnership with the Japan Foundation. 

1. Bìobhair trang

This board game is designed for learning about habitat, range, adaptations, diet, breeding and re-introduction of the beavers. The 'busy beaver' cards are a fun element which uses various language and literacy skills.

Sound files 

Interactive games

At present there is only one interactive game but it is hoped that more will be developed. 

2. Cat-fiadhaich na h-Alba

This fun board game is designed around the Scottish wildcat and introduces basic Gaelic phrases. 

Sound files 

3. Feòrag-ruadh

A. Red squirrel year game - learn the months of the year in Gaelic by following a year in the life of the red squirrel.

B. Red squirrel habitat game - build the habitat for the red squirrel

Sound files 

C. Red and Grey Squirrel matching activity

Cut out the individual cards and hand out to pupils. Ask the pupils to pair up the English and Gaelic topics. The topic heading is in Gaelic for the red squirrel (as native to Scotland) and in English for the grey squirrel (an invasive species from America). Comparison facts between the two species are on each card.

4. Famhalan-uisge

A. Water vole burrow game - This board game is designed to simulate the water vole finding a safe way back to the burrow highlighting one of the main threats which is falling prey to the American mink - an introduced species. 

B. Water vole sentence matching - match the Gaelic sentences to the correct pictures. 

Sound files 

5. Gaelic classification game

Sound files 

Describing Edinburgh Zoo's Animals

A notebook with photos and spaces to write descriptions of the animals in Gaelic. Some useful Gaelic phrases are included. 

Gaelic Pack

The set of Gaelic games have been produced in partnership with the Scottish Government. 

The South American giant anteater habitat game Portuguese version is listed below. 

(If you would like the English game board version click here)

Blank game templates

These are blank templates of two RZSS games for you and/or your pupils to create your own game in the language of your choice. 

For the Endangered Species game - Choose four animals from the country and find out some facts, their threats and language links to create the challenge cards.

For the Animal game - Choose an animal and find out about their diet, habitat, threats etc. Link to learning the words for colours, weather, numbers, etc. in the related language to create fun cards. 

Note: Look at the style of games supplied in the language packs to help you make your own. 

If pupils do make their own, please share with us. Contact Sandie Robb, srobb@rzss.org.uk with your designs. 

Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park blank templates

For the animal flashcards: Find out the name of the animal in the language you are studying. Try to write a sentence about the animal in the language. Then answer the question on the card. 

Competitions in partnership with StampIT

Fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives all starting from one postage stamp. There is no time limit for entries as the competition will continue to run each year and be entered into the appropriate Scottish Philatelic Annual Congress. Details at StampIT website.