Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students are introduced to Lord Howe Island. They begin by thinking about what an island is before locating Lord Howe Island on a map. They then work in groups to create their own map of Lord Howe Island that includes information about climate conditions, plants and animals, human infrastructure and natural geographical features. Students share their map with peers before creating a Padlet to record this information as a personal reference resource (the Padlet will be referred to and built upon during subsequent lessons in this unit). Finally, if students are completing all the lessons in this unit they will be asked to begin designing their own island.
These lessons were made possible with thanks to Joshua Yeldham.
Cool Australia also wishes to recognise Ian Hutton. Ian is a trained biologist, amongst many other skills, and has been living on Lord Howe Island since 1980. He is the author of 11 books on Lord Howe Island, including the most recent 264 page beautiful coffee table book on the World Heritage values of Lord Howe Island, contributed to some 60 papers and articles working with scientists across numerous fields, run a number of conservation and research project, and has been employed as a location guide for film documentary projects. If you are visiting Lord Howe Island, get in touch with Ian for a private guided tour, as he is keen to share his passion for the island and its environment.
Learning intentions:
- Students will understand what an island is
- Students will recognise some of the key features of Lord Howe Island.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 5 HASS
- Locate and collect relevant information and data from primary sources and secondary sources (ACHASSI095)
- Organise and represent data in a range of formats including tables, graphs and large- and small-scale maps, using discipline-appropriate conventions (ACHASSI096)
- Present ideas, findings, viewpoints and conclusions in a range of texts and modes that incorporate source materials, digital and non-digital representations and discipline-specific terms and conventions (ACHASSI105)
Year 6 HASS
- Locate and collect relevant information and data from primary sources and secondary sources (ACHASSI123)
- Organise and represent data in a range of formats including tables, graphs and large- and small-scale maps, using discipline-appropriate conventions (ACHASSI124)
- Present ideas, findings, viewpoints and conclusions in a range of texts and modes that incorporate source materials, digital and non-digital representations and discipline-specific terms and conventions (ACHASSI133)
Syllabus outcomes: GE3-4.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.
Relevant parts of Year 5 HASS achievement standards: Students locate and collect data and information from a range of sources to answer inquiry questions. They sort, record and represent data in different formats, including large-scale and small-scale maps, using basic conventions. They present their ideas, findings and conclusions in a range of communication forms using discipline-specific terms and appropriate conventions.
Relevant parts of Year 6 HASS achievement standards: Students locate and collect useful data and information from primary and secondary sources. They organise and represent data in a range of formats, including large- and small-scale maps, using appropriate conventions. They present ideas, findings, viewpoints and conclusions in a range of communication forms that incorporate source materials, mapping, graphing, communication conventions and discipline-specific terms.
Topic: Biodiversity, Sustainability.
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Lord Howe Island – Years 5 & 6.
Time required: 60+ mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – lead students in class discussions and activities, guide students through map-making activity.
Resources required:
- Access to a device for each student so they can create a Padlet
- BOLTSS Conventions
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Geographical Features – Optional
- Lord Howe Island – Overview Factsheet
- Map of Australia featuring Lord Howe Island – you can use Google Maps; however, the satellite imagery of Lord Howe Island on Google Maps is of relatively poor quality and may be a distraction for students.
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: Lord Howe Island, map, geographical features.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
