Stage 2 Learning activities

Ideas for general learning activities emphasis on: Planet Earth, Living Things and Their Relationships.

The suggested activities reflect these topic areas.

Planet Earth

  • Discuss the current state of our planet and identify its problems and challenges.
  • Explore the concept of ‘walking lightly on the earth’.
  • Discuss the impact that mankind has had on the earth’s development.
  • Create a time line that shows in sequence events that demonstrate changes to the earth

 

Living Things and Their Biodiversity

  • Make ‘observations walk’ to find characteristics of living things.
  • Use camera to record findings (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).
  • Sort living things into groups using observable characteristics (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).
  • Explore the concept of biodiversity with special focus on the school grounds/ErinEarth.
  • Explore the diversity of living things at ErinEarth.
  • Draw, describe and label some of the diverse life within ErinEarth.
  • Begin a learning log to identify and record learning about biodiversity (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).

Adaption for Survival

  • Explore why plants and animals survive in a particular habitat (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).
  • Identify plants at ErinEarth that are local to the Riverina.
  • Discuss the relationships between plant survival in this area and weather patterns.
  • Explain the importance of maintaining the balance within any habitat (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).
  • Develop a list of drought resistant plants that you might grow in the school or home garden.
  • Investigate life-cycles and reproductive processes in living things (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).

Earth and its Surroundings

  • Explore natural cycles and water systems in the environment (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).
  • Record changes in habitat over seasons (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).
  • Explore a map of Wagga showing areas of high salinity. Discuss consequences of this problem and identify some solutions. Invite local ‘salinity’ expert’ into classroom to brief children on local problems.
    Visit web site: ww.wagga.nsw.gov.au/resources/documents/sustainability

Human impact on biodiversity

  • List human and natural impacts on habitats at ErinEarth (AUSSI, Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future).
  • Make a list of ‘human impact’ problems identified and make suggestions for possible solutions.

Back to For Teachers, Stage 2 Programme