Number (addition and subtraction): Turtle Eggs

1 - Learning Objective

Challenge level ⭐⭐

(designed for children with prior knowledge of the Year 3 and Year 4 programme of study)

Learning Objective

We are learning how to solve a natural world problem by using and applying our skills and knowledge of number, addition and subtraction.

Useful prior knowledge:

  • To add and subtract 3-digit numbers using a range of efficient mental and written strategies

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06btfyx/player

To enable embedded content please change your cookie preferences.

Credit: BBC Four - Nature's Turtle Nursery: Secrets of the Nest

Clip Description

Turtles have been swimming in the seas and oceans of the world for more than 100 million years, having once lived alongside the dinosaurs. There are seven different species of marine turtle, and they vary greatly in size. The leatherback is the largest, reaching 180 cm in length with a mass of up to 500 kg. The Kemp’s ridley is the smallest at just 70 cm long. It is over ten times lighter than the leatherback!

In this fascinating clip, we see the Great Turtle Arribada. During this extraordinary event, thousands of female olive ridley turtles emerge from the ocean at the same time. On the beach, the turtles dig holes with their flippers into which they lay between 100 and 120 eggs. The eggs are then covered with sand before the turtles return to the sea. They will do this two or three times in a single breeding season.

Quick Whiteboard Challenge

Can you name 3 classroom items that, when lined up (end to end), would be approximately the same length as a fully-grown leatherback turtle?