Social stories

Overview

Social stories are simple, visual and text-based guides that help students understand what to expect on an excursion or environmental education activity. At Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre, our social-story resources make it easier for schools, teachers, students and parents to prepare for excursions, incursions and fieldwork in Sydney bushland and local environments. These stories help clarify routines, safety rules, behavioural expectations and environmental awareness before, during and after a visit.

Social stories are widely used in schools and educational settings to help students — including those with additional learning needs — navigate new or unfamiliar experiences. They describe situations clearly and calmly, showing what will happen, who will be involved, what to do, and what to expect. For some students, this can reduce anxiety, support inclusion, and improve engagement.

Each social story below matches one of our excursions, incursions or learning sequences and can be printed or viewed on a device.

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 the bus trip, walking on tracks, seeing bushland and following safety rules.

Timber footbridge with handrails crossing a rocky creek in bushland.

All stages

Prepares students for an excursion to Buffalo Creek Reserve, showing the journey, walking near water and behaving safely in the environment.

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

Early Stage 1

Introduces Kindergarten students to the idea of special places, and what will happen when they visit or learn about special places with Field of Mars EEC.

Early Stage 1

Explains what will happen during a Teddy bears’ picnic, including bringing a teddy, sitting together, listening to stories and playing 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 connections to Country, listen respectfully, and explore how people care for places.

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

Stage 1

Shows students what happens on a bushland adventure, including walking on tracks, looking for animals and plants, 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 the natural 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 understand that they will learn about life cycles, look closely at plants and animals, and record what they see.

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

Stage 2

Shows what will happen during a Local Aboriginal studies excursion along the Lane Cove River including making tools and looking for Aboriginal resources.