Social stories

Overview

Social stories help students understand what to expect before an excursion, incursion or environmental education activity with Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre.

These simple visual guides explain where students may go, who they may meet, what they may do and how they can stay safe. They can be used by teachers, support staff, students and families before a visit.

Each social story can be printed or viewed on a device and may support students who benefit from clear routines, visual prompts and predictable learning experiences.

Social stories can help students feel prepared for new places, people, routines and learning activities.

They show students what may happen during a visit and describe safe, respectful and helpful ways to take part. For some students, this can reduce uncertainty, support communication and make outdoor learning more inclusive.

Teachers may choose to read a social story with the whole class, a small group, an individual student or families before the visit.

Sunlit eucalypt bushland with a narrow walking track through ferns and leaf litter.

All stages

Helps students understand what to expect when visiting Field of Mars Reserve, including arriving by bus, walking on tracks, exploring bushland and following safety instructions.

Timber footbridge with handrails crossing a rocky creek in bushland.

All stages

Prepares students for an excursion to Buffalo Creek Reserve, including walking near water, exploring local environments and staying safe with their group.

Soft toy lizard on mossy ground, representing a “special place” in nature.

Early Stage 1

Introduces Kindergarten students to special places and explains what may happen during a visit or learning activity with Field of Mars EEC.

Early Stage 1

Explains what may happen during a Teddy bears’ picnic, including bringing a teddy, sitting together, listening to stories and playing outdoor games.

Wooden tools and a carved wooden object on animal hide, representing learning about Aboriginal connections to Country.

Stage 1

Helps students understand that they will learn about Aboriginal Peoples’ continuing connections to Country, listen respectfully and explore ways people care for places.

Toy bird beside binoculars on leaf litter, representing bushland exploration and wildlife spotting

Stage 1

Shows students what may happen on a bushland adventure, including walking on tracks, looking for plants and animals, and staying with their group.

Toy green frog beside a dip net in shallow water, representing investigating features of a local place.

Stage 1

Prepares students to investigate natural, managed and built features of places using maps, photos and observations.

Leaf diagram with a seed on mossy rock beside a small toy echidna, representing learning about life cycles.

Stage 1

Supports students to learn about life cycles, look closely at plants and animals, and record what they observe.

Stage 2

Shows students what may happen during an Ecosystem explorers excursion, including walking through bushland, using fieldwork equipment and recording observations in small groups.

A coolamon and clap sticks representing the Local Aboriginal Studies excursion.

Stage 2

Shows students what may happen during a Local Aboriginal studies excursion, including learning beside the Lane Cove River, listening respectfully and exploring Aboriginal uses of natural materials.

Stacked logs tied with rope, representing team challenges and outdoor problem-solving activities.

Stages 2

Explains that students will work in teams, complete outdoor problem-solving challenges, use maps and equipment, and support their group safely.

Students creating nature-inspired artworks during The art of wellbeing excursion

Stages 2

Explains that students will spend time in bushland, notice features of the natural environment and create artwork inspired by nature.

Hands holding an iPad showing a close-up lizard on moss, representing digital nature photography.

Stages 2

Shows students that they will use iPads outdoors, photograph natural features, create digital artworks and follow instructions safely.

iPad video-editing screen with wildlife footage and a timeline, representing making a short documentary.

Stages 2

Prepares students to plan, film and edit a short nature documentary, including working in groups, using devices and sharing their finished work.

Stages 3

Explains that students will work in teams, complete outdoor problem-solving challenges, use maps and equipment, and support their group safely.

Stages 3

Explains that students will spend time in bushland, notice features of the natural environment and create artwork inspired by nature.

Stages 3

Shows students that they will use iPads outdoors, photograph natural features, create digital artworks and follow instructions safely.

Stages 3

Prepares students to plan, film and edit a short nature documentary, including working in groups, using devices and sharing their finished work.

Stage 3

Prepares students to observe and investigate plant and animal adaptations during fieldwork at Field of Mars Reserve.

Ready to visit?

iPad showing the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre online booking form for primary and secondary excursions and incursions

Book now

Check dates and book an excursion or incursion with Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre.

iPad showing links to excursions and incursion offered by Field of Mars EEC.

Learning programs

Explore our primary incursions and excursions, as well as our HPGE learning programs.

Social stories | K–6 | Field of Mars EEC

Overview

Why we use social stories

Site social stories

Early Stage 1 social stories

Stage 1 social stories

Stage 2 social stories

Stage 3 social stories

Ready to visit?