Catchment Care - Early Years Complexities of Natural Ecosystems

Students develop an increasing understanding of the function and complexity of natural ecosystems

What is the activity? (Where does it fit in the curriculum?)	What type of activity is it? Will I need help?	How do I access useful information to assist me in this activity?	Where is this activity available?
Keeping native animals in the classroom Connections between living things, and between themselves and natural environments. Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals.	- Keeping animals such as frogs and yabbies in the classroom. - Research what they need and look after them. Research life cycles.	Look at the resource section in this kit for information	All catchments
The lifecycle of a butterfly Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals through direct and virtual experience. Explore the life cycles of other living things.	- Lots of activities, photos and detailed information about different types of butterflies. - Look at lifecycles, draw, explain, present.	http://www.stradsch.sa.edu.au/ miers/	All catchments
It's a Frog's Life Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals through direct and virtual experience. Explore the life cycles of other living things.	- We bring the frogs to you. Learn about the 7 different frogs of the Mount Lofty Ranges.	Onkaparinga Waterwatch Network http://www.onkaparinga.net/ caring/waterwatch.shtml	Onkaparinga
Something Fishy Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals through direct and virtual experience. Explore the life cycles of other living things.	- Find out why native fish populations are threatened. - Understanding the importance of habitat, pollution and exotic animals.	KESAB P&T Waterwatch http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/ section1/1-11.htm	Patawalonga and Torrens
Research a bioindicator animal and/or plant (Bioindicator: see resource section for meaning) Connections between living things, and between themselves and natural environments. Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals. Significance of places and resources.	- Investigate what it needs to survive. - Draw food webs and indicate the relationship to human activity. - Look at frogs, birds, macroinvertebrates, plants or other native bioindicators.	Look at the resource section in this kit for information	All catchments
Collect data Generate data about the world. Develop strategies, including using technology to collect, organise and represent data, and use it to describe situations and to make decisions and personal plans.	- Collect data on biodiversity using bioindicator species. - Collect, organise and present information on species.	Look at the resource section in this kit for information	All catchments
A Bug's Life Connections between living things, and between themselves and natural environments. Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals. Significance of places and resources.	- Activity in the classroom. - Learn how aquatic invertebrates are used as indicators of water health. - Assisted by a Waterwatch officer.	KESAB P&T Waterwatch http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/ section1/1-11.htm	Patawalonga and Torrens
Act-an-Aquatic Connections between living things, and between themselves and natural environments. Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals. Significance of places and resources.	- Uses dressing up to explore a variety of adaptations of aquatic creatures. - School based activity assisted by a project officer.	Onkaparinga Waterwatch Network http://www.onkaparinga.net/ caring/waterwatch.shtml	Onkaparinga
Gum tree poster Connections between living things, and between themselves and natural environments. Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals. Significance of places and resources.	- Tell the students that a tree is like a city and ask/explain what lives in a tree and why, e.g. shelter and food, etc.		All catchments
Coastal environments Connections between living things, and between themselves and natural environments. Investigate the features and behaviours of plants and animals. Significance of places and resources.	- An interactive exploration of two unique plant groups, their adaptations and ecological importance, and the consequences of human impacts on their survival. - Assisted by a Waterwatch officer.	KESAB P&T Waterwatch http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/	Patawalonga and Torrens

Links to Other Early Years Pages
	• How Catchments Function • Impacts and Consequences