Australian Environments, Cultures and Human Influences Year 5-6
Explore Aboriginal cultures and discover the diverse adaptations that help our Australian wildlife to survive.
Program description
Immersed in the Australian grassland habitat, learn about Aboriginal culture and stories around the land on which we meet. Through stories, discover the Aboriginal peoples’ connection to the land and wildlife and how these beliefs and values helped keep the Australian landscape sustainable.
Engage in hands-on activities and explore the unique adaptations and life cycles that allow our Australian wildlife to survive in diverse habitats.
Students will learn:
- Aboriginal culture, stories and their connection to the land and wildlife
- How to identify the observable features Australian animals have developed to survive
- How Australian animals depend on each other and the environment
- The impact of humans on places, habitats and wildlife
- How Zoos Victoria is helping to Fight Extinction
Program sequence
Connect
Use the activities in the Teaching Guide (below) to spark students’ curiosity before their zoo visit.
Connect and Understand
Students will learn valuable observation and classification skills to organise animals into groups based on their life cycles and adaptations at Werribee Open range Zoo. By understanding what animals need to survive, students will investigate the challenges our local species face in the wild and learn about how they can help fight wildlife extinction.
Your zoo visit will include: Introduction (for arrivals between 9:45am – 10:00am), Zoo Teacher workshop (30 minutes), Safari Bus Tour (40 minutes) and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo.
Understand
Use activities in the Teaching Guide to deepen students’ learning back at school.
Act
Use the Teaching Guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
Program maps and itineraries
Your booking confirmation email will list your group's education workshop/s and safari bus tour time. Each workshop time has its own map and daily itinerary. Paper maps will be provided to you on the day.
Program resources
Your booking confirmation email will list your group's education workshop time/s. Each workshop time has its own map and suggested daily itinerary. Digital maps will be provided to you on the day.
Learning outcomes
Victorian Curriculum 5-6
Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (VCSSU074)
- Students will have the opportunity to learn about adaptations that help Australian wildlife to survive in their environment
The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (VCSSU075)
-
Students explore how environmental conditions can impact the survival of our Australian wildlife.
Influence of people, including the influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places (VCGGK094)
- Students will learn about Aboriginal culture and how their way of life influenced the wildlife and land around them
Plan your excursion
This program is an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.
The organising teacher should make themselves known to Admission Staff prior to entering the Zoo so that payment can be made. More information.
Book your education experience
Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience
Request booking nowYou will need to know the following to book your zoo excursion or online workshop:
- Education program of your choice (if applicable)
- Preferred date
- School name and address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes and their year level