Beyond Bushfires - Animal Adaptations And Fire

Australian Curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 5 Science:

• Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)
• Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS086)
• Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS093)

Year 6 Science:

• The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
• Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS110)

Syllabus outcomes: ST3-10LW, ST3-4WS, ST3-11LW

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2, OI.9

Relevant parts of Year 5 Science achievement standards: Students analyse how the form of living things enables them to function in their environments and communicate their ideas and findings using multimodal texts.

Relevant parts of Year 6 Science achievement standards: Students describe and predict the effect of environmental changes on individual living things and construct multimodal texts to communicate ideas, methods and findings.

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: Beyond the Bushfires – Primary

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – lead students in class discussions, oversee group activities, facilitate and oversee online tasks

• Article – The Conversation – Animal response to a bushfire is astounding. These are the tricks they use to survive
• Article – The Conversation – Want to help save wildlife after the fires? You can do it in your own backyard
• Device capable of presenting a clip to the class
• Device capable of presenting a website to the class
• Poster/brochure making materials
• Student Worksheet – one copy per student

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• Communication
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Collaboration

In partnership with The Conversation, the Beyond the Bushfires series brings the words of scientists who are actively involved in research and science communication into classrooms throughout Australia. Students will explore evidence-based research embedded in the context of real-world practice.

Additional thanks to the Ian Potter Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts and The Myer Foundation, for generously supporting the development of these lessons.