Teachers Notes & Resources
TRAIL INTRODUCTION
The Enviro Trail has been designed with several purposes in mind:
· To provide the opportunity for STM to utilizes the adjoining bushland for teaching and learning
· To provide a resource that stands alone, provides information and expertise that are permanent and do not require a specialist to use or run
· To utilize technology in the creation of teaching resources
· To provide an engaging way for students to learn about our local environment
· To stimulate follow on activities exploring environmental and science topics
· To encompass a wide breath of science curriculum content
· To provide an easy way for children to be exposed to the benefits of spending time in nature
TRAIL DESIGN
The Enviro trail has been designed to provide a variety of uses for all age groups. It is intended that teachers and students will be able to use the audio trail on numerous occasions, listening to several or individual audio files and completing different activities on each occasion. At this stage the focus is on Science curriculum however the potential applications are limitless.
There are currently two layers of audio files available for use:
Audio 1 - Trail Sequence: A series of shorter audio files designed to be used in sequence and taking approximately 30-45mins to complete. These files whilst still covering a large variety of content and concepts are at an introductory level and allow students to follow the trail and posts. It is recommended that all students complete this sequence prior to doing the Focus Station Files as it is a great tuning in activity and exposes children to the ‘whole’ of the trail and ‘whole’ concepts before breaking them down in further detail in the focus files. Prep-2 students may use these Trail sequence audio files as focus station files with accompanying activities, allowing students to experience the whole trail but then settle into focusing into an issue, topic or activity.
Audio 2 – Focus Stations: A second layer of audio files designed to focus in on further details. These files are longer and more in-depth and designed to be done individually with accompanying activities.
NOTE: See spreadsheet with summary of audio content and potential ideas
The Enviro Trail has been designed with several purposes in mind:
· To provide the opportunity for STM to utilizes the adjoining bushland for teaching and learning
· To provide a resource that stands alone, provides information and expertise that are permanent and do not require a specialist to use or run
· To utilize technology in the creation of teaching resources
· To provide an engaging way for students to learn about our local environment
· To stimulate follow on activities exploring environmental and science topics
· To encompass a wide breath of science curriculum content
· To provide an easy way for children to be exposed to the benefits of spending time in nature
TRAIL DESIGN
The Enviro trail has been designed to provide a variety of uses for all age groups. It is intended that teachers and students will be able to use the audio trail on numerous occasions, listening to several or individual audio files and completing different activities on each occasion. At this stage the focus is on Science curriculum however the potential applications are limitless.
There are currently two layers of audio files available for use:
Audio 1 - Trail Sequence: A series of shorter audio files designed to be used in sequence and taking approximately 30-45mins to complete. These files whilst still covering a large variety of content and concepts are at an introductory level and allow students to follow the trail and posts. It is recommended that all students complete this sequence prior to doing the Focus Station Files as it is a great tuning in activity and exposes children to the ‘whole’ of the trail and ‘whole’ concepts before breaking them down in further detail in the focus files. Prep-2 students may use these Trail sequence audio files as focus station files with accompanying activities, allowing students to experience the whole trail but then settle into focusing into an issue, topic or activity.
Audio 2 – Focus Stations: A second layer of audio files designed to focus in on further details. These files are longer and more in-depth and designed to be done individually with accompanying activities.
NOTE: See spreadsheet with summary of audio content and potential ideas
Journalling Information & Activities
Resources
Bug Box
A kit to conduct investigations of invertebrates
Contain:
NOTE: Magnifying glasses can also be used for activities that look at leaves, bark, leaf litter and soil
Bird Box
A kit to conduct bird investigations
Contains:
NOTE: Binoculars can also be used to look at trees for nests and hollows
Invertebrate Investigation Resources
A series of Australian documents designed for use by schools. Includes simple field guides, basic information on invertebrates, sampling techniques for invertebrates, identifying spider webs, identifying butterflies and a great resource on Herbivore Damage to leaves.
A kit to conduct investigations of invertebrates
Contain:
- Class set of magnifying glasses
- 4 x School Field Guide to Insects - need white board markers
- 1 x Book Australian Insects & spiders - A pictorial Guide - contains nice simple line art as well that could be used for lessons on invertebrates and life cycles
- 4 x Indigenous Plant Guide
- 4 x Weeds of Mornington Peninsula field Guide
- 1 x Fauna of Mornington Peninsula field Guide
NOTE: Magnifying glasses can also be used for activities that look at leaves, bark, leaf litter and soil
Bird Box
A kit to conduct bird investigations
Contains:
- class set of binoculars
- 4 x School Field Guide to Birds
- 1 x Bird Identification book
NOTE: Binoculars can also be used to look at trees for nests and hollows
Invertebrate Investigation Resources
A series of Australian documents designed for use by schools. Includes simple field guides, basic information on invertebrates, sampling techniques for invertebrates, identifying spider webs, identifying butterflies and a great resource on Herbivore Damage to leaves.
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Biodiversity Audit
An excellent resource to conduct Biodiversity Audits.
There are two types of audits that can be conducted: School Ground & Bushland Area. The school ground one has a full version and a condensed version
An excellent resource to conduct Biodiversity Audits.
There are two types of audits that can be conducted: School Ground & Bushland Area. The school ground one has a full version and a condensed version
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Field Guides
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Digital Field Guides
Museum Victoria has an excellent Victorian fauna field Guide available for free. It contains great pictures, simple information and sound files for birds and frogs.
http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/mv-field-guide-app/
They also have a program called Biodiversity Snapshots. Its currently not working but will be a great tool once they have fixed it (late July 2014)
"Biodiversity Snapshots will help you to learn more about the animals around us every day by combining mobile technology and science. We provide you with a field guide, identification tool and way to record your observations all on a mobile device — your phone, netbook, or tablet. You make the observations and participate as a citizen scientist."
http://www.biodiversitysnapshots.net.au/bdrs-core/portal/1/home.htm
Museum Victoria has an excellent Victorian fauna field Guide available for free. It contains great pictures, simple information and sound files for birds and frogs.
http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/mv-field-guide-app/
They also have a program called Biodiversity Snapshots. Its currently not working but will be a great tool once they have fixed it (late July 2014)
"Biodiversity Snapshots will help you to learn more about the animals around us every day by combining mobile technology and science. We provide you with a field guide, identification tool and way to record your observations all on a mobile device — your phone, netbook, or tablet. You make the observations and participate as a citizen scientist."
http://www.biodiversitysnapshots.net.au/bdrs-core/portal/1/home.htm