Science Years 5/6: Forest Science Explorers

Lesson Overview:

Forest Science Explorers

Introduction:

As Australians and global citizens, understanding our natural environment is crucial for a sustainable future. The “Forest Science Explorers” resource for Years 5 and 6 immerses students in the unique habitats of Australia’s native forests, examining how different tree species have adapted to their unique environments. Students will explore biological sciences, learning about tree life cycles, environmental adaptations, and the impact of physical conditions like rainfall and fire on tree growth and survival. They will discover how special forest scientists called foresters use this knowledge to manage and maintain healthy forests, ensuring they remain vibrant for today and future generations. This unit fosters a deeper connection to nature and sustainability.

What’s in the Resource:

• Student Workbook: Available in two formats:
  • Printable version with lines.
  • Online digital interactive PDF version that can be used as a student assessment option.
• Teacher Workbook: Complete with lesson outcomes, Australian Curriculum links, answers to all questions in the Student Workbook, curriculum overview and mapping, Forest Glossary, lesson timings, suggested groupings for activities, extension activities, teacher tips, assessment options, references, and all links.
  • Printable version.
  • Digital PDF version.
• Embedded Ed Tech: Includes ForestVR video experiences and online 360-degree ForestLearning VRTY photo tours, complete with information and photo hotspots about Australia’s forest types. All Ed Tech is available on any device a school or student owns, including laptops, smart boards, iPads, or VR headsets.
• Multimedia-rich: Designed to bring forests to life.

Lesson Sequence:

Part 1 – Connecting with Nature and Forest Habitats

Lesson 1: Connecting with Forests and Trees

Aim: Identify students’ experiences with forests and trees, and find out what they already know about this topic.
Outcomes: Students will draw on prior knowledge about forests and identify their understandings about forests.

Activities:

• Experiences in Nature: Reflect on personal experiences with nature, discussing and documenting what they see, hear, and feel.

Lesson 2: Give me a Home among the Gum Trees

Aim: Develop skills to identify eucalypt trees by exploring plant features and understanding the eucalypt tree life cycle.
Outcomes: Students will create a life cycle of a eucalypt tree and understand its unique adaptations to the environment.

Part 2 – Forest Adaptations

Lesson 3: Surviving in the Wild – Forest Science Adventures

Aim: Recognize that living things have adaptations that help them survive and understand the impact of environmental changes on survival.
Outcomes: Students will compare the height and diameter of trees in different forests and visualize these differences.

Activities:

• Get Ready, Set… Grow: Compare wet and dry environments.
• Outdoor Tree Height Showdown: Measure and compare tree heights.

Lesson 4: Plant Power Investigators

Aim: Identify different adaptations that help plants survive.
Outcomes: Students will recognize and document various plant adaptations.

Lesson 5: Surviving in the School Grounds

Aim: Identify and represent features of trees that help them survive and understand plant adaptations.
Outcomes: Students will investigate plant adaptations in their school grounds.

Lesson 6: Waterwise Trees

Aim: Conduct scientific investigations on water conservation adaptations in eucalypt trees.
Outcomes: Students will identify plant adaptations that help conserve water.
Lesson 7: Our Forests and Fire

Aim: Identify how some Australian plants rely on and have adapted to fire in the landscape.
Outcomes: Students will explore fire as a resource management tool and document fire adaptations in plants.

Lesson 8: Plant Adaptations in the School Grounds

Aim: Identify and share different plant adaptations in the school grounds.
Outcomes: Students will present their findings on plant adaptations.

Part 3 – Science in Action for Sustainable Forestry

Lesson 9: Be Like a Forester

Aim: Apply knowledge of forest ecosystems and adaptations in a practical context.
Outcomes: Students will understand how foresters use science to manage forests sustainably, reflect on their learning, and participate in decision-making activities.

Activities:

• Think Like a Forester: Simulate forester decision-making processes.

Background to this Resource:

ForestLearning and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) have developed this resource to engage Year 5 and 6 students with the science of forest ecosystems. This unit aligns with the Australian Curriculum: Science Version 9.0, addressing key biological sciences concepts while fostering an appreciation for Australia’s natural environments. The Science Inquiry skills and Science as a Human Endeavour strands are embedded throughout each lesson.

Accessibility:

ForestVR is accessible on any device with a web browser, including iPads, laptops, smart boards, or VR headsets. The free ForestVR app can download videos to devices, addressing wifi issues, and includes a Teacher Sync function for class sets.

Related Resources:

Forest Science Explorers Powerpoint

Forest Science Explorers PPT

ForestVR - Forest Science Explorers - Cypress Pine Woodland Forest QLD

Forest Science Explorers – Cypress Pine Woodland Forests: Queensland

ForestVR - Forest Science Explorers - Dry Open Eucalypt Forest QLD

Forest Science Explorers – Dry Open Eucalypt Forests: Queensland

ForestVR - Forest Science Explorers - Jarrah WA

Forest Science Explorers – Jarrah Forests: Western Australia

ForestVR - Forest Science Explorers - Wet Tall Eucalypt Forest VIC

Forest Science Explorers – Wet Tall Eucalypt Forests: Tasmania

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