Primary (Years 3 –6)
Learning programs for Primary years encourage hands on interactions and multisensory learning.
Living connections
Explore some of the interrelationships between living things and their environment.
Themes: biodiversity and sustainability
Key messages:
- people, animals and the environment are all connected
- we all have basic needs such as food, shelter, water and air
- living things interact and depend on each other and the environment to survive
- living things have connections and can be interdependent having different roles- producer, consumer and decomposers / predator-prey relationships
- living things in feeding relationships can be effected when some are removed or die out in an area
- some interactions between living things can be mutually beneficial or competitive
- we all have a responsibility to respect and care for the environment
Aussie battlers
Discover some of the threatening processes affecting our Australian animals and explore some actions that you can take to assist our animals and their survival.
Themes: conservation, sustainability and biodiversity
Key messages:
- all living things are part of the web of life.
- living things depend on each other and the environment to survive.
- threats to wildlife create an imbalance in the natural world
- human activity can impact on the environment and living things
- science knowledge and research helps people understand the effect of their actions
- status of Australian wildlife-common to extinct
- we can care for the environments that support our Australian species
Life cycles
Investigate the life cycle stages and process of growth and change of some Australian animals.
Themes: conservation and biodiversity
Key messages:
- all living things grow, change and go through a life cycle process
- there are many different types of life cycles
- living things develop and go through different stages of the life cycle as they grow
- environmental factors can affect life cycles
- the importance of life cycles in the environment
- we can care for the environments that support our animals
Adaptable Aussies
Examine adaptations which provide living things with the ability to survive in a variety of Australian habitats including arid environments.
Themes: sustainability and biodiversity
Key messages:
- living things have different structural features and adaptations including behaviours to help them survive in Australian environments
- the growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment
- living things depend on each other and the environment to survive
- we all have a role in caring for habitats that support Australian flora and fauna
Feathers, fur and scales
Discover how animals can be grouped by observing features. Investigate Australian animal groups by determining what is similar and different between the groups.
Theme: conservation and biodiversity
Key messages:
- animals can be classified into different groups on the basis of observable features
- animals are living things and have characteristics such as growing, moving, sensitivity and ability to reproduce
- animals possess particular forms, functions and adaptations that help them meet their needs for survival.
- there is a system to classify animals
- animals are supported by natural environments.
- there are a wide range of environments that support a diversity of animals
- we can care for the environments that support our animals
Mammalian marvels
Introduction to some of Australia’s mammals their classification, features and adaptations.
Themes: conservation and biodiversity
Key messages
- all mammals share similar features
- all mammals are living things and have characteristics such as growing, moving, sensitivity and ability to reproduce
- mammals possess particular forms, functions and adaptations to help them meet their needs for survival in a variety of environments
- mammals can be classified into different groups according to their reproductive strategy
- mammals are an important part of healthy ecosystems.
- we can all care for the environments that support our mammals
Brilliant birds
Investigate the diversity of features and classification of some of Australia’s birds and their adaptations to a variety of habitats.
Themes: conservation and biodiversity
Key messages:
- birds can be classified into different groups according to their features.
- all birds are living things and have characteristics such as growing, moving, sensitivity and ability to reproduce.
- birds have structural features, behaviours and adaptations to help them survive within Australian environments.
- birds are an important part of healthy ecosystems
- appreciate the variety of birds in Australia.
- we all have a role in caring for habitat that supports birds
Reptile rap
Examine a variety of Australian reptiles and learn how they are classified according to their features and their adaptations for survival in a diversity of habitats.
Themes: conservation and biodiversity
Key messages:
- reptiles can be classified into different groups according to their features
- all reptiles are living things and have characteristics such as growing, moving, sensitivity and ability to reproduce
- reptiles have structural features and adaptations to help them to survive in their environment.
- Australian environments support a large diversity of reptiles.
- reptiles are an important part of healthy ecosystems
- we can all care for the environments that support our reptiles
To find out more information or if you want a learning program on a topic not included in the list, talk to the Cleland Education Officer.