Following these lesson plans is an ideal way for your school to take part in the largest nature-care event in Australian schools, Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day.  You’ll be joining thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference, fostering a child’s love of nature and creating positive environmental change.  So, get growing! It only tak... Read more »

Tuning in

A tuning in activity helps students to define and focus on the issues they will be dealing with in the unit of work.

  1. Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 15 minute activities – Secondary
    Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 15 minute activities – Secondary
  2. Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 2 minute activities – Secondary
    Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 2 minute activities – Secondary
  3. Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 5 minute activities – Secondary
    Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 5 minute activities – Secondary
  4. Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 60 minute activities – Secondary
    Schools Tree Day – The Nature of Mindfulness – 60 minute activities – Secondary

Finding Out

Students will need to obtain more information about the issues they are going to investigate. They can identify questions of interest and research these either in small groups or on their own. Once information is gathered, it can be shared using chosen communication methods e.g. short presentations. Students can continue finding out by completing a range of investigations, including gathering data. They use appropriate methods to present and communicate what they have found out.

  1. Schools Tree Day – Growing Grit – Secondary
    Schools Tree Day – Growing Grit – Secondary
  2. Schools Tree Day – What makes us click isn’t a device – Secondary
    Schools Tree Day – What makes us click isn’t a device – Secondary
  3. Schools Tree Day – The nature of happiness experiment – Years 7 – 10
    Schools Tree Day – The nature of happiness experiment – Years 7 – 10
  4. Schools Tree Day – Schoolyard food webs – Years 7 & 8
    Schools Tree Day – Schoolyard food webs – Years 7 & 8
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  9. Schools Tree Day – Year 7 & 8 – Biodiversity challenge
    Schools Tree Day – Year 7 & 8 – Biodiversity challenge
  10. Schools Tree Day – Research the benefits of nature – Years 9 & 10
    Schools Tree Day – Research the benefits of nature – Years 9 & 10
  11. Schools Tree Day – Year 9 & 10 – Investigate a local issue
    Schools Tree Day – Year 9 & 10 – Investigate a local issue

Drawing Conclusions

Students are provided with activities that help them further develop their ideas and opinions. T hey describe issues from different perspectives. They identify, examine and justify different points of view.

  1. Schools Tree Day – What is Biodiversity?
    Schools Tree Day – What is Biodiversity?

Considering Social Action

Students are given opportunities to apply their learning in real world situations, in the classroom, school, home or the local community.

  1. Schools Tree Day – What makes us click isn’t a device – Secondary
    Schools Tree Day – What makes us click isn’t a device – Secondary

Additional Activities for this Unit of Work

These activities are not part of this unit of work, however they may be useful as additions if you have the time.


  1. Schools Tree Day – How to plant a tree!
    Schools Tree Day – How to plant a tree!