| Year level | 3 to 8 |
| Curriculum level | 2 to 5 |
| Availability | Year-round |
| Times | 9.30pm to 11.45am, or 12.30pm to 2.30pm |
| Site | Bottle Lake Forest Park or Spencer Park |
| Cost | Free |
| Number of students | Maximum of 35 |
| Special requirements | None |
Let's explore the forest. Identify native and introduced species, build a shelter, and get up close with a squirmy huhu grub. Survive the outdoors by connecting deeply with it.
Book a Learning Through Action school programme
Risk analysis and management information (RAMS) will be sent out once a programme booking is confirmed. If you require this at any other stage please email LTA@ccc.govt.nz or contact us(external link).
Programme overview
Key concepts
- The interdependence of the plants and animals living in the forest.
- Native and Introduced species.
- Safety in the forest.
- The life cycle of the Huhu beetle.
- How we can all play a part in taking care of natural areas.
Lesson description
Tamariki engage with some of our beautiful green spaces; learning about local nature through a rich experience in the outdoor wilderness.
Students will explore the dynamics of an exotic, managed forest and learn about living things that call this environment home.
They will learn about maintaining their own safety in the outdoors, including how to build a shelter using readily available forest materials.
For the more adventurous in wild food fare, you may even have the opportunity to sample a squirmy huhu grub.
Learning outcomes
We are learning to:
- Recount some of the histories of the Bottle Lake Forest Park area.
- Identify a variety of native and exotic forest biodiversity.
- Identify at least 3 key actions to take to ensure a safe trip in the outdoors.
- Describe the Huhu life cycle.
- Build a temporary shelter from natural forest materials.
Key competencies
Using language, symbols and texts
Students will interpret language and visual clues to identify examples of biodiversity
Thinking
Students will
- expand their knowledge around NZ biodiversity;
- use creative thinking and problem solving skills in a group to construct a shelter;
- process instructions and information.
Managing self and relating to others
Students will work as part of a group to take on challenges and achieve a goal (e.g. shelter building, eating a grub)
Participating and contributing
Students will contribute to expand group knowledge regarding outdoor safety. Students will participate in building a temporary outdoor shelter for their group.
Achievement objectives
| Curriculum area | Strand and level | Objective |
| Science Pūtaiao |
Nature of Science Levels 2 to 5 |
Investigating in science Communicating in science Participating and contributing |
| Living World Levels 2 to 5 |
Life processes Ecology |
|
| Social Sciences Tikanga ā-Iwi |
Levels 2 to 5 | People and places |
| Health and Physical Education Hauora |
Personal Health and Physical Development Levels 2 to 5 |
Safety Management |
| Healthy Communities and Environments Levels 2 to 5 |
Community resources |