Let's explore the forest!

Girl holding up a grub

Identify native and introduced species, build a shelter, and get up close with a squirmy huhu grub.

Tamariki engage with some of our beautiful greenspaces; learning about local nature through a rich experience in the outdoor wilderness.

Survive the outdoors by connecting deeply with it.

Year level 3 to 8
Curriculum level 1 to 4
Availability Available year round
Times 9.30am to 11.45am or 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Site Bottle Lake Forest Park
Spencer Park
Cost Free
Number of students Maximum of 35

Risk analysis and management (RAM)

Programme outline

Key concepts

Interdependence of the plants and animals living in the forest, native and introduced species, safety in the forest.

Lesson description/intentions

Students will explore the nature of an exotic forest and seek out living things that call this environment home. They will also learn about safety in the outdoors, including how to build a shelter out of fallen materials.

For the more adventurous in wild food fare for survival, you can even try a squirmy huhu grub.

Possible success criteria

Students may be able to:

  • describe the life cycle of a huhu beetle.
  • problem solve in groups to build a shelter from materials found in the forest.
  • identify at least three key actions to take to stay safe in the wilderness.
  • identify actions that they can take to minimise their impact on natural areas.

Key competencies

  • Managing self – students are challenged to consider and display both individual and collective enterprise, resourcefulness, reliability and resilience in order to effectively achieve the learning outcomes explored through the interactive activities
  • Participating and contributing – students undertake the building of a bivouac as a team, requiring them to contribute appropriately towards the team goal
  • Using language, symbols, and texts – through the interactive activities offered, students are expected to use texts to investigate the creatures living in the forest, as well as communicating their requirements to emergency rescue and detailing the best aspects of their bivouacs.
Learning Areas Strands Curriculum level Achievement objectives
Health and physical education Personal health and physical development 2 to 5 Safety management
Health and physical education Personal health and physical development 1 to 3 Regular physical activity
Health and physical education Movement concepts and motor skills 1 to 4 Positive attitudes
Health and physical education Relationships with other people 2 Relationships
Health and physical education Healthy communities and environments 2 to 5 Interpersonal skills
Science   1 to 4 Ecology

Feedback

"Couldn't be more hands on, which is great." Teacher, Year 3

"The ranger was an absolutely knowledgeable and enthusiastic teacher. Experience gained by the class would be quite unforgettable for them." Teacher, Year 7