"I spy" living things

Science and technology

orange and brown millipede curled into a spiral on a grey rock with small black dots

Students engage in hands-on scientific investigations to explore the living world around them. Using their senses, they observe and investigate the external features of plants and animals, learning how living things meet their needs and how humans can help local environments thrive. Through a bushwalk, guided investigations, and creative activities, students develop curiosity, observation skills, and respect for nature.

Sites visited

Suggested timetable
10:00 Introduction and Acknowledgement of Country (crunch and sip and toilets if needed)
10:20 Observe preserved animals and group them using external features
10:40 Compare native and introduced animal species and consider the impact of introduced species on the needs of native animals
11:00 Investigate worms from the centre’s worm farm
11:30 Recess and toilets
11:45 Bush walk down Bungoona Path, using senses to make observations about plants and animals
1:00 Lunch and toilets
1:30 Search for invertebrates in the leaf litter, examine features and create a model of an invertebrate using natural materials
2:00 Conclusion and depart

* There may be variations to timetable based on specific location, group size and weather

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

Tier 2:

observe, describe, compare, explore, predict

Tier 3:

invertebrate, habitat, camouflage, decomposition

Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes
  • observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas ST1-1WS-S
  • describes observable features of living things and their environments ST1-4LW-S
Content
External features of living things
  • describe the external features of a variety of living things (ACSSU017)

  • identify and group plants and animals using their external features, for example: SciT SysT

    • native and introduced plants and animals
    • worms, insects, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals
Living things live in different places
  • identify that living things live in different places that suit their needs (ACSSU211)
  • recognise that people use science and technology in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE022, ACSHE035)
"The students are still talking about their visit and have gained a deeper understanding of nature and living creatures within from ants to birds and even the possums."

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