Different environments

Lesson one introduces different kinds of environments including the relationship between climate, vegetation and living things. Students use Google Earth and hands-on strategies to survey their school environment for different kinds of land use and types of vegetation (trees, shrubs, grass or groundcover). They also complete a group learning activity using different maps of Australia to determine patterns and trends between vegetation, rainfall, temperature, soil and landforms.

Outdoor learning component: Survey of school environment vegetation

Resources needed:

• Interactive whiteboard

• Lead pencils

• Mapping comparison activity worksheet  (to work out how many copies of each map you need, divide the class by 6, so if class has 30 students, divide 30 by 6 and make 5 copies of each map) OR, to do this as a whole class activity, look at one map a day using this resource Mapping comparison activity one-map-a-day version

• Access to school grounds

• School grounds land use survey worksheet (one per student)

• Vegetation scavenger hunt - laminated examples and scavenger hunt tackle boxes (or other containers to collect samples of trees, shrubs and grasses)

• Set up a 'Question parking lot' to record student questions (see link for information)

Introducing Illawarra and Borneo rainforests

Lesson two introduces the types of rainforests that exist in the world before comparing Indonesia in relation to Australia. Students use geographical tools within Google Earth to find comparative data between the two places. They learn features and characteristics of rainforests, discovering the differences that exist between the forests of each region. 

Outdoor learning component: Identifying and reflecting on rainforest plants in school environment

Resources needed:

• Interactive whiteboard

• Lead pencil

• Access to school grounds (or just beyond if no rainforest vegetation in school grounds and have permission to leave school grounds)

• Rainforest vegetation hunt identification / task sheet

Animals of Illawarra and Borneo

Lesson three explores the animals that live in Illawarra and Borneo's rainforests. Students first become familiar with common rainforest animals of Illawarra.  Students then complete a 'bioblitz' of the fauna in the school environment using 'Seek by iNaturalist' (if can add app to iPads, doesn't require student login or wifi to use) and a bird survey of the school environment to see if any rainforest birds live in their area. They then undertake a research project on an Illawarra rainforest animal of their choice. 

Outdoor learning component: Bioblitz and  surveying birds in school grounds

Resources needed:

• Internet / computer

Worksheet

• Either iPad - google slides or blank paper

The significance of rainforests

The aim of this lesson is for students to appreciate that rainforests are vital to our survival.  They compete a series of videos, animations and games that explain how rainforests provide for:

• the environment: rainwater, oxygen and CO2 absorption

• animals: food, water, habitats

• humans: food, medicines, furniture, household products

Outdoor learning component: Treasure hunt: auditing school environment (or home environment if completed as a homework task) for rainforest materials / Soundscape of school environment

Resources needed:

• Internet/computer 

• Paper/coloured pencils (or can be done on computer)

Worksheets

• Products that come from rainforests

Management of Illawarra's rainforests

In lesson five, students learn that rainforest once covered much of the Illawarra and that only 15% remains after European settlement. Students view historical paintings that depict what the Illawarra rainforest cover was once like.  They then complete a series of reading tasks and games to learn about the causes of impact to Illawarra's rainforests over time, including: cedar logging, farming, mining, housing development and introduced pests.  Students test their knowledge with an interactive Kahoot challenge. 

Outdoor learning component: Walk to local environment that has most rainforest trees and do a sit-spot. Observe how the area has been managed and modified by humans. 

Resources needed:

• Internet/computer 

• Access to Kahoot Earth's Environment

Management of Borneo's rainforests

In lesson six, students explore a range of sources to identify the reasons for deforestation in Borneo's rainforests, in particular clearing for palm oil. They weigh up the benefits of palm oil whilst also exploring the importance of sustainability. 

Outdoor learning component: Extracting oil from fruit or seeds.

Resources needed:

• Internet/computer 

• Fruit / seeds for oil extraction activity 

• Mortar and pestles for oil extraction activity

People's perspectives of rainforests

In lesson seven, students are introduced to the concept of valuing the environment and that people may value the environment differently, depending on their needs.   The lesson outlines 'users's needs' in  two scenarios:

 - Illawarra (from early settlement to current day) 

-  Borneo 

In each scenario consider the view point of Indigenous people, farmers, commercial industry and tourists) based on what is most important to them. 

This lesson also aims to show us how we can learn about protecting environments from the perspectives of indigenous people such as the Dayak in Borneo and the Dharawal in the Illawarra.  Students watch a powerful video featuring a Dayak tribe member who explains his connection with the land and how the tribe manages the environment in a sustainable way so that it is protected for future generations.  Students also discover sustainable practices from Australian Aboriginal peoples. After reading 'Oola Boola Woo', a Dharawal Dreaming story on the creation of the Five Islands from Mt Keira, students appreciate that Dreaming stories are a cultural feature that help people to respect and protect the environment. 

Outdoor learning component: Students sit in a forested area and identify how they value and feel connection to that space. After the sit spot, students draw themselves feeling 'connected' to the environment. This exercise aims to help students understand the deep and spiritual connection Aboriginal and other indigenous peoples have with the land. 

Resources needed:

• Computer/internet

• Paper and pencils for drawing

• An area with lots of trees

Assessment: Assessing the school grounds for a pocket of rainforest habitat

Students will assess their school playground to choose an area most suitable to regenerate a small pocket of rainforest habitat. They will also use their skills and knowledge from throughout the unit to teach a younger buddy student how to conduct a bird survey to inspire younger students to monitor the impact of this pocket of rainforest. 

Resources needed

• Google Earth showing school grounds (or another map of school grounds)

• School environment

Worksheets 

• Earth's Environment Rainforest Assessment