Activity Introduction
Quick summary: During this lesson students identify, tally and graph wildlife found in the playground. They make observations about natural habitats and how these would be affected if there weren’t any trees in the playground.
This lesson is designed to be taught outside. It contains all the tools required for students to reap the benefits of being outdoors while learning the outcomes of the Australian Curriculum. By spending time outdoors and connecting to nature, students are more likely to care for and conserve nature as adults.
We’ve taken elements of this lesson and adapted them for remote learning. You can find this activity here.
Essential questions:
- What animals make our playground their home?
- How are trees important to their habitat?
- How can I use information to create a picture graph?
- What are the mental, physical and academic benefits of completing classroom activities outside?
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 1 Mathematics
- Choose simple questions and gather responses and make simple inferences (ACMSP262)
- Represent data with objects and drawings where one object or drawing represents one data value. Describe the displays (ACMSP263)
Year 2 Mathematics
- Collect, check and classify data (ACMSP049)
- Create displays of data using lists, table and picture graphs and interpret them (ACMSP050)
Syllabus outcomes: MA1‑1WM, MA1‑3WM, MA1-17SP.
General capabilities: Numeracy.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.
Relevant parts of Year 1 Mathematics achievement standards: Students collect data by asking questions, draw simple data displays and make simple inferences.
Relevant parts of Year 2 Mathematics achievement standards: Students make sense of collected information and collect, organise and represent data to make simple inferences.
Topic: Outdoor Learning, Biodiversity.
Unit of work: Outdoor Learning Unit.
Time required: 60 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – the teacher guides and facilitates discussions, leads students in a song, demonstrates concepts and assists as necessary.
Resources required: Clipboards and pencils OR devices capable of displaying and completing worksheets. Chalk or string (optional). ‘AGREE’, ‘DISAGREE’ and ‘NOT SURE’ signs. One copy of each of the following:
One copy of each of the following for pairs of students:
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Keywords: Sustainability, nature, data tally, graph, picture, maths, mathematics, outdoor learning.
Cool Australia would like to thank The Albert George & Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust – managed by Equity Trustees.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation