Munchies
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Approach: Station Level: Year 4 and year 8
Focus: Adaptation
Resources: Pictures in workbook
328Kb
Questions/instructions:  
 
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[Illustrations, with thanks, from: © Rabbit, Cat: Wenhan, M. (2001). 200 Science Investigations for Young Students; London: Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd.]
     
% responses
2007 ('03)
     
y4
y8
Look at these dinosaur skulls. Write down what sorts of foods you think these dinosaurs ate - plants, or animals.
[Illustrations, with thanks, from:
© Creagh, C., Milner, A. (ed.) (1995). Dinosaurs; Sydney: Allen & Unwin.]		    
1. What it eats:
plants
69 (81)
88 (89)
How can you tell it eats this?
Explanation:
(grinding teeth; flat teeth (not sharp);
teeth at back of mouth)		    
two or more valid reasons
1 (0)
5 (10)
one valid reason
28 (35)
47 (52)
alternatively explained as looking like rabbit teeth
2 (3)
5 (4)
2. What it eats:
meat
84 (91)
95 (96)
How can you tell it eats this?    
Explanation:
(sharp/jagged/stabbing teeth, mixed sizes; teeth go right to front of mouth)
two or more valid reasons
1 (1)
3 (4)
one valid reason
51 (59)
73 (74)
alternatively explained as looking like cat teeth
2 (0)
3 (3)

3. What it eats:
plants
79 (91)
93 (94)
How can you tell it eats this?    
Explanation:
(grinding teeth; flat teeth (not sharp);
teeth at back of mouth)
two or more valid reasons
1 (1)
3 (5)
one valid reason
39 (59)
56 (62)
alternatively explained as looking like rabbit teeth
1 (2)
4 (2)

4. What it eats:
meat
83 (91)
95 (96)
How can you tell it eats this?    
Explanation:
(sharp/jagged/stabbing teeth; mixed sizes; teeth go right to front of mouth)
two or more valid reasons
1 (1)
3 (3)
one valid reason
47 (55)
72 (76)
alternatively explained as looking like cat teeth
1 (3)
2 (2)

Total score:
9–16
3 (3)
10 (14)
7–8
28 (41)
48 (54)
5–6
25 (24)
24 (17)
3–4
28 (24)
14 (11)
0–2
16 (8)
4 (4)
Subgroup Analysis [Click on charts to enlarge] :
Year 4
Year 8
Commentary:
There was a moderate decline in performance between 2003 and 2007 for year 4 students, with little change for year 8 students. Year 4 Pakeha and Mäori students performed similarly.