Caring for Critters

Years K-3

PROGRAM AIMS:

  • To develop knowledge and understanding about the natural and made environments
  • To encourage curiosity about the natural environment
  • To create opportunities for students to demonstrate a caring attitude towards the environment
  • To investigate impacts of human activity on the natural environment.

The focus for this program is urban wildlife and why we need to preserve animal habitats.

Students will take part in three activities designed to promote a caring attitude towards the environment:

  • view and interact with live Australian animals with Anthony Stimson's "Australian Wildlife Display".
  • learn about animal habitats and take part in simple experiments designed to reinforce a caring attitude to the environment.
  • students will investigate the green spaces around the Centre to find suitable homes for birds and animals"

Follow up activity 'Schoolyard Safari' - Students can use the schoolyard safari sheet, to identify homes for animals in their own schoolyard.

SUMMARY of LEARNING SITES, ACTIVITIES and STUDENT OUTCOMES

LEARNING SITE

ACTIVITY

STUDENT OUTCOMES 
Students will be able to:

FIELDWORK IN ACTION

1 Observatory Hill EEC

'Australian Wildlife show' - Babes in the Bush *

Recognise the different types of urban wildlife typically found in homes and school playgrounds

Appreciate the need to provide habitats for urban wildlife Identify ways to protect urban wildlife

 
Have their faces painted with their favourite 'Babes in the bush' character.

cfc

2 Observatory Hill EEC

"Feathered Friends"

Understand the importance of caring for native animals and birds.

Conduct a simple experiment to observe the effects of pollution on birds.

Colour a bird to hang on a window or as a mobile

3 Grounds of Observatory Hill EEC / Observatory Park

Bird Watching and identifying habitats for wildlife.

 

Understand relationships between the environment and living things

Appreciate the need to enhance urban wildlife habitats at school and at home

 

* Low cost option for schools as an alternative to 'Babes in the bush'

Schools on a limited budget can elect to omit session one with the Australian Wildlife show, and substitute it with an activity conducted by the OHEEC staff where live animals will be substituted with an interactive dreamtime story and mask making activity.

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