Peppercorn Place
Our responsibility for our planet
Central Idea: Our choices about how we use the environment affects the land, people and animals.
Line of Inquiry: We have a personal responsibility to look after Earth’s resources
Line of Inquiry: Managing waste can help to conserve our resources
Concepts: Responsibility, Connection, Reflection
The Peppercorns (10s & 11s) have been looking at how our choices affect the earth and how we have a personal responsibility to look after our planet. As part of our unit of inquiry we went to Ceres Environment Park in North Fitzroy, situated on the Merri Creek. We looked at Water Bugs, Biodiversity and Habitat Corridors.
As part of the excursion we were able to:
- Identify the aquatic organisms caught and find out how they indicate water health.
- Consider the role of aquatic organisms in maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems.
- Determine the health of the Merri Creek.
- Explore the human impacts on ecosystems and species biodiversity.
- Discover the importance of habitat corridors that link fragmented vegetation and support the survival of species.
- Complete a habitat survey of the Merri Creek, and determine the ecological health of the creek through identifying diversity, places and environments and different plants and animals.
- Discuss ways to maintain, improve or restore natural habitats.
- Go on a sensory exploration of the indigenous plants around CERES and the Merri Creek.
- Learn how to identify various indigenous plant species, and about their uses for food, drink, medicine, tools and building materials.
- Learn about the local seasons and how to identify them through ecological signals
- Discuss indigenous origins of common food plants.
We have also investigated the effect various human activities have on our rivers and waterways, using 'The Story of a River’ to show the impact of of littering, industrial waste and recreational activities. Our worm farm is now set up outside the classroom and we are looking into how we can minimise how much waste is coming to school. We have used our concepts of Reflection, Responsibility and Connection while viewing episodes of ‘War on Waste’.
We are looking forward to learning more about our personal responsibility and how we can change our habits and take action to reduce our environmental impact.
Rosie Grimm, Sophie Dall'Ava & Deb Heyes
The Peppercorns Classroom Teachers
rosie.grimm@preshil.vic.edu.au