Activity Introduction

Activity details: Students applying what they have learned by identifying specific projects that would enhance the school ground’s biodiversity.

Key lessons and understandings of activity: Different kind of projects enhance different aspects of biodiversity. Biodiversity projects in school grounds need to relate to land use and the local physical conditions.

Module: Biodiversity

Year level: 5 and 6

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor and outdoor

Duration of activity: 30 mins (plus planting)

Learning areas addressed: Geography, Science.

Teacher input: Lead discussion, review students’ findings in this unit when it is relevant.

Resources needed: School grounds map, whiteboard or smartboard, resources from previous biodiversity activities, local indigenous nurseries information and contacts.

Homework and extension opportunities: None.

Keywords: biodiversity, ecosystem, conservation, planting.

Australian Curriculum Link:

  • Year 5 Science: Communicate ideas, explanations and processes in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS093)
  • Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)
  • Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083)

Year 6 Science:

  • Communicate ideas, explanations and processes in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS110)
  • The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
  • Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE100)

Syllabus Outcomes: ST3-6PW, ST3-4WS, ST3-10LW, ST3-11LW.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Getting started

Review this part of the previous activities:

1. School ground biodiversity

2. Future school ground

Write on the board the students’ vision statement for the school ground.

See what other schools are doing by exploring a case study here.

Where and what

Students can consider what can be done in the school ground.

What (can be done): Things that can improve school ground biodiversity include:

  • Planting new habitats such as forests, native grasslands, wildlife corridors, shade tree planting, etc.
  • Providing protection for wildlife
  • Maintaining old biodiversity projects
  • Replacing dead plants in old biodiversity projects
  • Improving or extending old biodiversity projects
  • Removing weeds
  • Reducing litter and preventing animals from eating scraps
  • Providing water
  • Improving soil with mulch
  • Installing nest boxes
  • Reducing trampling in sensitive areas
  • Reducing stray cats
  • Reducing the area of introduced plants including lawn.

Where: Location needs to b

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Student Worksheet

Background research questions

What area in the school ground is involved?

Describe the project. How will the area change?

What do you already know about how the project would be done?

What do you still need to find out? Where will you find help? Do you need to contact an expert?


Planning research

What area in the school ground is involved?

Describe the project. How will the area change?

What do you already know about how the project would be done?

What do you still need to find out? Where will you find help? Do you need to contact an expert?


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