|
Victoria's
Biodiversity
What
I can do
(Teacher
Resource)
Victorian Essential Learning Standards Domains and (Levels):
Science (3,4)
Humanities - Geography (3,4)
Duration: 1 hour initially, 3 - 4 weeks break for individual student action plans, 1 - 2 hours class action plan.
Setting: The classroom, home, school yard or garden. |
This
activity focuses on what students can do as individuals and as a
class to help conserve Victoria's Biodiversity. As much as possible,
choose a local species or site to help protect.
MATERIALS
Victoria's Biodiversity: Sustaining our Living Wealth, page 17;
(available through DPI Information Centre) "What
I Can Do " handout.
ADVANCE
PREPARATION
Make an overhead of the student handout, or duplicate it for student
use.
ACTIVITIES
1. Read out to students (page 17 of Victoria's Biodiversity:
Sustaining our Living Wealth.)
2. Make a list of the actions it mentions to help protect
the environment. Identify and discuss local examples (individuals,
groups, companies, government agencies) of these actions.
3. In small groups students read the 'What I can do' handout
(or read it out to them).
4. Add to the list of ideas in the handout. Assign each group
one of the action ideas for them to discuss how that action can
help conserve biodiversity. As each group reports on their action
idea, discuss them as a class.
5. As a class, decide on an action project to improve wildlife
habitat in your school grounds.
6. Each student chooses an action they will personally undertake
at home for the next 4 weeks. They identify a plan to help them
carry this action out.
7. As a class, decide on an action project to help conserve
a local species or remnant vegetation site. Learn more about the
species or site. What are its special features? Develop a realistic
action plan for the project. Work in with local Friends or conservation
groups. Monitor the progress the class/group makes. Celebrate your
achievements for biodiversity.
ADDITIONAL
ACTIVITIES
. Environment Australia Biodiversity Group's website and publications:
Green Kids Guide to Threatened Species.
. Biodiversity: A Guide to Using and Protecting Australia's Biodiversity.
Victoria
's Biodiversity Education Resource Books
An
understanding of biodiversity is essential for many topics and issues
explored in schools' curricula. September is Biodiversity month
so make it a classroom theme. There are some excellent resource
books available to schools to support teaching about biodiversity
across both primary and secondary levels.
Victoria's
Biodiversity Education Resource Books cover CSF II Levels 3 and
4 (Book 1) and Levels 5 and 6 (Book 2). They have a variety of activities
and information to enhance teaching of topics in conservation, resource
management and sustainability and program such as Landcare education,
LandLearn, Urban Rural Links and Teaching Farms.
The
books are available through:
DPI Information Centre (for
further details click here)
Cost: $27.50 plus postage and handling
Schools can also purchase the Kit, 'Victoria's Biodiversity' for
additional support materials.
|
