Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre logo

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

Emailfieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Little ants and friends program

Teacher checklist

Location

Your school

Cost

DoE $16 per student - GST free

Non-gov school $26 per student - GST free, minimum charge $700

Risk assessment

Risk management plan

COVID-19 safety plan

Bring

Students wear hats, sports uniform and reusable name tag.

Supporting resources

Invertebrate fact sheets

Invertebrate Explorer - available free from Apple Books

Fact sheets

Medical or special needs

Notify Field of Mars staff prior to incursion. 

Students, staff and visitors must not attend if unwell, even with mild symptoms. 

Extreme or wet weather

Days predicted to be above 35ºC, high winds, extreme bush fire danger and dust storms may result in the incursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. 

Cancellations

Cancellations with less than four school weeks' notice will incur a $500 administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.


Suggested timetable

Time

Classes

Morning session

9.30–11.00

Up to two classes 

Middle session 

11.30–1.00

Up to two classes

Afternoon session 

1.30–3.00

Up to two classes


Learning activities

Students will explore the world of ants and other invertebrates to build knowledge and vocabulary of their features, habitat, behaviours and role. 

Inquiry questions
  • What can we learn about ants and their friends by watching them?

  • What can I learn about ants and their friends by pretending to be one?

Ant investigations

An outdoor reading of the picture book Hey, Little Ant challenges students to consider an ant's point of view. To find out more, students observe the behaviours of ants and other invertebrates in their natural habitat and use magnifying equipment to identify their unique features. 

An ant's eye view

To develop a deeper understanding of an ant's perspective, students will explore their mini world through a macro lens and play role play games and build a model of an invertebrate. Appropriate word choices are encouraged and recorded for use in the classroom.

Students will record their findings in a class scrapbook using field jounalling techniques. A word bank of tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary will be developed to support word choices when writing texts.



Syllabus outcomes and content

English K-10 Syllabus (2022)

Outcomes

Vocabulary

  • understands and effectively uses Tier 1, taught Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary to extend and elaborate ideas EN1-VOCAB-01

Understanding and responding to literature

  • understands and responds to literature by creating texts using similar structures, intentional language choices and features appropriate to audience and purpose EN1-UARL-01

English textual concept - perspective

Students understand that perspectives may differ and that these differences need to be considered

They learn that:

  • perspective may be expressed in different ways including the values expressed and the form of expression.

Science and Technology K-10 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes

A student:

  • observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas ST1-1WS-S 

Working scientifically

  • explore and answer questions through participation in guided scientific investigations (ACSIS025, ACSIS038)

  • compare observations with those of others (ACSIS041, ACSIS213)

  • make safe choices when using materials and equipment

Content

Students:

  • describe the external features of a variety of living things (ACSSU017)

  • identify that living things live in different places that suit their needs (ACSSU211)

 
English K–10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022
 
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017
 
English textual concepts © NSW Department of Education, 2016