Cooling the schools
Step 5
Implementing
the solution
STAGE 3 TEACHER RESOURCE
Years 5-6
The activities in this step are the practical implementation of the planning undertaken to date. Ideally students will be able to physically plant trees in the school environment to put their plan into action.
In this step, students will:
practice safe working when active outdoors
plant trees and groundcover shrubs
learn how to look after the plants into the future
reflect on their positive impact on the local environment.
Getting ready for tree planting day
Outdoors is a fun place to be and we associate it with play activities like sport and running. When we are working in the outdoor environment however, there are certain things we need to do to stay safe.
To start with, we need to watch the weather forecast and check if it is going to be hot, cold or wet. What should we wear to match the conditions? If it's hot we will need a sunhat and sunscreen. If it's cold, we will need warm clothes, maybe even a beanie. If it's wet, a raincoat and gumboots are a good idea. Whatever the weather, if we are working outdoors it is a good idea to wear strong, closed shoes like boots. Remember that your shoes will probably get mud on them.
People who work in the natural environment wear long sleeves and long pants, boots, broad-brim hats and high visibility clothing, like many of our NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service field staff.
If we are going to be working with soil or vegetation we should always wear gloves. This will protect us from germs and will stop scratches or splinters – think of them like a shield. However, gloves are not perfect so even after we take the gloves off we should always wash our hands.
Many of our NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service field staff regularly wear protective gear
Watch out for wildlife when you are outdoors, some of them are dangerous
What else should we think about?
Be careful where you walk – don’t step on plants, be aware of tripping on rocks and holes or getting poked with sticks.
When you are using tools, be cautious about waving them about and keep them low to the ground. Always use tools properly and use the right tool for the job. For example, don't try to prune a branch with a pair of scissors or try to dig a hole with a spoon. Just like we don’t cut paper with secateurs or eat yoghurt with a shovel.
Look out for wildlife! Snakes, insects and spiders can be dangerous so avoid them. Just step away and call an adult. Remember though, that this is their home so try not to kill things just because they scare you. They need somewhere to live just like you do.
How to plant trees
Plan where to put the tree – think about the right plant for the right place.
You might need to prepare the site by removing weeds. This might be hand weeding or applying herbicide to grass or removing an old stump.
Dig a hole – in 'Cooling the schools' we will do this for you with machines called augers. The hole should be a bit bigger than the root system of the new plant.
You can add fertiliser, water crystals or compost to the bottom of the hole, but make sure it is appropriate for the plant type. Native plants require native fertiliser that are low in phosphorus. If you are planting species local to the area, then most of the time, no extras are required.
Water the holes well and wait for it to soak in.
Take the plant out of the pot or tube, being careful not to pull the stem off the roots.
Place the roots into the hole and make sure that the top of the rootball lines up with the top of the soil.
Backfill the hole with soil and push down firmly with one hand while holding the plant upright with the other.
Apply a layer of mulch all around the plant leaving a bowl in the middle so that the mulch doesn’t cause rot on the new plant stem. The best mulch for new trees is woodchip.
Water, water, water and water some more.
Plant a tree in 10 easy steps
Learn more about planting trees
Watch the following short video, produced by Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain, to learn how to plant your trees and plants the correct way. This will give them the best start and ensure their success.
Tree planting day
Students can plant trees themselves – it’s easy!
If you are planting with Greening Australia there are 3 things that might happen.
Greening Australia comes to your school with all required resources and guides students in the planting exercise. Teachers and students provide aftercare.
'Contactless' version: Greening Australia provides your school with all required resources (and will even dig the holes!) and students and teachers plant the trees separately. Teachers and students provide aftercare.
Greening Australia plant the trees for your school, and teachers and students provide the aftercare.
You may even be providing your own trees or be partnering with a different organisation.
Whichever method your school adopts, you should watch the video above to make sure you are giving your plants the best start and greatest chance of survival.
Planting trees at your school helps reduce urban heat and protects the environment
Activities
Reflecting on tree planting day at your school
Answer the questions on worksheet 5.1. This can be used to evaluate your learning over the course of the project.
Use your imagination to draw a picture of what your school will look like in 10 years if your plan is implemented.
Teachers can refer to the 5.1 activity instructions for guidance.
Watering and maintenance plan
Discuss the big picture of this project and as a class develop a plan to ensure its continued success.
Use worksheet 5.2 to document this plan. Teachers can refer to the 5.2 activity instructions.