Observations and questions spark curiosity - Feathers, fur & scales

Living things have characteristics that help them survive in their environment

• Identify the sense organs and describe their functions
• Describe how living things get air, water and energy to survive in their environment
• Examine flowers, fruit, leaves, roots and stems of plants and describe their purpose
• Examine animal bodies, their body coverings, and how and what they eat
• Describe ways Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples use Knowledges of the characteristics of plants and animals to survive

Objects are made of materials that have observable properties

• Recognise that properties of materials can be observed using the senses
• Observe and manipulate materials to describe their properties using Tier 2 vocabulary
• Pose questions about materials and describe how they are used in everyday objects
• Explore how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples use natural materials for specific purposes based on their properties

Living things and objects move in different ways

• Test how the movement of an object is affected by its shape
• Experiment to observe how an object’s movement is affected by its material
• Identify objects made by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples and describe their movements

Outcomes

• STE-SCI-01 - identifies and describes characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and movement
• STE-PQU-01 - poses questions based on observations to collect data

Activity 1 - Feathers

Students study seed pods, leaves and feathers and learn ways that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples use Knowledges of the characteristics of plants and animals to survive. They will use their senses to recognise the properties of materials and test how the movement of an object is affected by its shape.

Activity 2 - Fur

Students learn about and test the properties of various materials and play a traditional Indigenous game.

Activity 3 - Scales

Students learn about animal features, diets and habitats and get to meet a special scaly friend!