4.8 Long, long ago - long, long ago

Leaner section

Content

• Look at the words and point to them as your teacher reads this information.
• Listen attentively to the strange names, what they mean and how to pronounce them.

Long, long, long ago

It was SO long ago …..

not a hundred,

not a thousand,

not a million,

but many many millions of years ago that different kinds of dinosaurs lived on the earth.

The word ”dinosaur” means “terrible lizard”.

They roamed the earth in search of food.

Some of them were plant-eaters (herbivores) and others were meat-eaters (carnivores). The plant-eaters, like the Brontosaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus and the Triceratops ate the leaves of ferns, bushes and trees. The meat-eaters like the ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex hunted the plant-eaters and their young.

“Brontosaurus” means “thunder lizard”, probably because it was so big and tall that when it moved it sounded like thunder.

The Brontosaurus had a large body with a long, strong swishing tail. It’s neck was long and thin and it’s head was small.

The Diplodocus was enormous and looked something like the Brontosaurus.

The Stegosaurus had rows of spikes on it’s back. The spikes went all the way down to the tip of his powerful tail. Four sharp horns grew from the tip of his tail. This was used to lash out at an attacking animal. The Stegosaurus was a slow-moving dinosaur. It’s neck was short and it fed on the low leaves of ferns and bushes.

The Triceratops had strong horns on it’s forehead and one on the end of it’s nose. Around the neck was a large bony frill to protect it’s shoulders. When a Tyrannosaurus Rex threatened their young the Triceratops would close ranks, form a circle with their young in the middle and facing outwards, they would attack and ward off the enemy.

Tyrannosaurus Rex means “king of the tyrant reptiles”. It was the largest, fiercest meat-eating dinosaur. It was about as long as four cars, as tall as the tallest giraffe, and had long sharp teeth. It could run very fast on its powerful back legs. Its front legs were thin and short and probably only used to grip its prey .

Most dinosaurs were protected by tough skins covered in scales. Some dinosaurs were small but could run very fast.

The rivers and seas were filled with many kinds of fierce reptiles and fish-like creatures. They had to come up to the surface for air. They came out of the water and laid their eggs on the shore.

At that time there were also many kinds of flying reptiles. Some were small and others were large. The Pterosaurus had no feathers and a long beak with teeth inside. “Pterosaurus” means “winged lizard”. Some flying reptiles had very long tails. Their eyesight was good so that they could spot food in the water or on the ground.

For you to do:

• Ask questions about anything you do not understand.
• Read “Long, long ago” to a friend.
• Read it to your teacher.

• Answer the questions on “Long, long ago” on p. 5 and do the following activities.

1. Look up these words in the dictionary. Write down their meanings.

ferocious : ………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

enormous : ……………………………………………………………………………...

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

threaten : ………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

tyrant : ………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Read through the story again and find another word which means the same as:

ferocious ………………………………………………………………………………..

enormous ……………………………………………………………………………….

powerful ………………………………………………………………………………..

plant-eaters ……………………………………………………………………………..

meat-eaters ……………………………………………………………………………...

thunder lizard …………………………………………………………………………..

Assessment

Learning Outcome 1: LISTENING : The learner is able to listen for information and enjoyment and respond appropriately and critically in a wider range of situations.

Assessment Standard 1.2: We know this when the learner demonstrates appropriate listening behaviour by asking questions and commenting on that which was heard;

Assessment Standard 1.4: We know this when the learner listens with enjoyment to stories, poems, songs and other oral texts and shows understanding:

1.4.2 listens for details;

1.4.7 works out cause and effect in the oral text;

Learning Outcome 2: SPEAKING : The learner is able to communicate confidently and effectively in spoken language in a wide range of situations.

Assessment Standard 2.5: We know this when the learner contributes to group and class discussions:

2.5.7 makes oral presentations:

Learning Outcome 3: READING AND VIEWING : The learner is able to read and view for information and enjoyment and respond critically to the aesthetic, cultural and emotional values in texts.

Assessment Standard 3.3: We know this when the learner makes meaning of written text:

3.3.1 reads a printed text fluently and with understanding:

Assessment Standard 3.5: We know this when the learner reads for information and enjoyment:

3.5.4 develops vocabulary by using a dictionary and keeping a personal dictionary;

3.5.5 uses table of contexts, index, key words, headings, captions and page numbers to find information;

Learning Outcome 4: WRITING : The learner is able to write different kinds of factual and imaginative texts for a wide range of purposes.

Assessment Standard 4.5: We know this when the learner builds vocabulary and spells words independently:

4.5.5 uses knowledge of phonics and spelling rules to write unfamiliar words;