Features, Life Cycles and the Environment Year 3-4
Take a trip to the African savannah, engage in hands-on activities and discover the features of African predators and their prey.
Program description
It’s survival of the fittest in the grasslands of Africa. Discover the adaptations predators have to hunt successfully and the features prey have developed to give them a fighting chance.
Analyse skulls and investigate what it takes for these animals to survive. In this program, students will learn how to group animals based on their diet and discover how animals rely on their senses, each other and their environment to survive.
Students will learn:
- How to identify key features African animals have to survive
- How African animals rely on each other and the environment
- The challenges African wildlife face in the wild
- 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
During your Zoo Teacher workshop, students will participate in a discussion about African wildlife and the challenges they face. Be immersed amongst animals and habitat as you explore the trails of Werribee Open Range Zoo. Students will also learn about Zoos Victoria’s mission to fight extinction and how they can help.
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 map 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
Learning outcomes
Victorian Curriculum 3-4
Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive (VCSSU058)
- Students will explore how selected African animals depend on each other and the environment to survive
Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (VCSSU057)
- Students will have the opportunity to observe the features of animals
Location of major countries of Africa and South America in relation to Australia and their major characteristics including the types of vegetation and native animals in at least two countries for both continents (VCGGK077)
- Students will have the opportunity to learn about the adaptations of selected African wildlife
Similarities and differences in individuals’ and groups’ feelings and perceptions about places, and how they influence views about the protection of these places (VCGGK083)
- Students will learn how Zoos Victoria is working with African communities to help protect African Wildlife
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.
School groups will enter Werribee Open Range Zoo via the Main Entrance. Organising teachers please check in with our Admissions team upon arrival. 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