Years 1–2
Full day program
9.15am –2.00pm
Big idea
Developing an ethic of care for all living things and the resources that they depend on.
Curriculum links
Science, HASS (Geography), Mathematics, English - see matrix for more details including General Capabilities and Cross-Curricular Priorities - see matrix for more details.
Age Appropriate Pedagogies -
- Approach - Event based approach / inquiry learning
- Characteristics - Active, creative, explicit, language rich and dialogic
Program overview
Possum Bangles Saves the Planet is a story-based program which has been specifically designed to establish in young participants a desire to care for forests. The children are drawn to the forest of Bunyaville Conservation Park when they receive a letter from Bangles the possum, asking for help to save Bangles' forest home. Students participate in three activities (outlined below), that enable them to connect to the natural environment and to discover how they can help care for the forest, which is the living home of possums and many other animals.
Where Do They Live
Students discover different animals and evidence of animals in their homes, while exploring the reasons forests are important.
Possum Trail (spatial literacy)
While following directions to locations along a trail, students discover clues left by Possum Bangles as to how they can care for forests and what FOFFEs are.
Forests Forever
A forest walk immerses students in the bush experience, deepening their connection to, understanding of and concern for the importance of the forest and natural places.
A final culminating activity gives students the opportunity to take action back at school by:
- modelling a reward scheme to conserve resources in the classroom; and
- giving students a 'growing kit' to germinate seedlings that will benefit wildlife once planted in the school grounds.
For this program you will need to refer to the relevant Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments.