Overview
Habitats are Homes is a whole day program immersing students in a sensory exploration of Toohey Forest. On the day students meet ‘Joey’, a koala who needs a new home. Students take on the role of ‘bush Jarjum’ and explore the basic needs of plants and animals in Toohey Forest in order to assist ‘Joey’.
Students read the story
Koala, koala, is this habitat for you? to gain background information on koalas. Our 4 metre Window to the Forest mural helps students identify forest plants and animals, their features, their habitats and their basic needs.
Using a map, students search for clues in the forest, interpreting the Aboriginal symbols on the map throughout their journey. In the course of their search, students locate their position on a map and add natural and constructed features along the way. Students enhance their knowledge of plant and animal homes in the forest. Students consolidate their learning by participating in a sand story-making activity followed by an animal footprint art activity with paint. When ‘Joey’ returns, students share their knowledge about the basic needs of koalas in Toohey Forest and receive a map to take back to school.
The program concludes with students getting up close with live animals and discussing their habitats and needs.
Habitats are Homes has been assessed as medium risk. A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment (CARA) is available on request. An itinerary will be provided upon confirmation of your booking.
Curriculum Intent
Science Understanding
- Identify the basic needs of plants and animals, including air, water, food and shelter and describe how the places they live meet those needs (AC9S1U01)
HASS Knowledge and Understanding
- The natural, managed and constructed features of local places and their location (AC9HS1K03)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
- First Nations communities of Australia maintain a deep connection to, and responsbility for, Country/Place and have holistic values and belief systems that are connected to the land, sea, sky and waterways (A_TSICP1)