Exploring the Environment Curriculum
Learning Branch – Exploring the Environment
Years 5 & 6
Students take a magnifying glass look at the environment and dwell a little longer within it through hands on practical adventures. Students will have a key focus on a specific environment within our local area. The environments that can be explored are river, rock or bush. Students will gain an understanding of the interconnectedness within our ecosystems, the different species that occupy these and their role within these niches. Students will also gain and understanding of some of the land management issues, the natural history of the particular environment and compare and contrast similar environments in different locations. Sustainability is a focus, with students gaining an understanding of the patterns of living and how they rely on the interdependence of healthy social, economic and ecological systems. This learning branch is offered to years 3 to 8. The example below is for grade 5 and 6.
Staff choose a particular environment within the local area. Defined as either: River, Rock or Bush.
Learning AreaCapability |
Strand |
Sub Strand |
Content Description |
Foci |
| Health and Physical Education | Personal, social and Community Health | Contributing to healthy and active communities | Explore how participation in outdoor activities supports personal and community health and wellbeing and creates connections to the natural and built environment | Undertake Practical
Learning adventures Students will undertake practical learning adventures within their given focus environment |
| Geography | Geographical Concepts and Skills | Place, space and interconnection | Describe and explain interconnections within places and between places, and the effects of these interconnections | Exploring Interconnections
Students will gain an understanding of natural systems and cycles and the interconnected ecosystems on which they depend for their wellbeing and survival.
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| Science | Science Understanding Strand | Biological sciences | The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment | Analyse the Environment
Students will analyse their environment through the use of contemporary data collection techniques
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| Science | Science Understanding Strand | Earth and space sciences | Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface | Formation of the Environment
Students will learn about the formation of the specific environment from an ancient historical perspective
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