Teacher Preparation

Introduction

This only needs to be a small project. Restructuring a garden bed outside the student’s classroom would be perfect.

The habitat project can be done with a zero budget and still have amazing results. This activity can also be even more interesting if students can access some of the school’s gardening or other budgets.

One of the native grasses that make an excellent habitat in school grounds is Poa. These have fine leaves, are safe to fall on, grow into very thick clumps and can attract an amazing number of animals once they are established. They are also survivors when neglected.

See what other schools are doing by exploring a case studyhere.

Zero cost habitat

Step 1:

Pull apart a Poa to create tubes

It will take a few months for the plants to establish themselves in tubes before they can be planted.

1. Obtain 30 to 60 old potting tubes.

2. Obtain potting mix, compost or loose soil with compost to fill the tubes.

3. Dig up one or two large established poas with a garden fork keeping the soil around the roots.

4. Pair of scissors and a pair of secateurs (not to be used by students).

5. Bucket or large tray that tubes can be soaked in.

Pull the poa apart or use the secateurs if it is too tight. Keep pulling apart until you have small clumps with a few leaves and a small amount of roots. Cut the top leaves of the grass so there is only about 10 cm left. They are now ready to be planted in the tubes.

Half fill each tube with soil, potting mix, compost and place poa in a section and then almost fill the tube. Place in a tray or bucket of water where it can get a good soak.

Place outside where it won’t be baked and where there is a chance they will get watered once a week (could also place next to window inside the classroom). They are really tough and hopefully will be ready to plant in two to three months.

Step 2:

Prepare the garden bed

Before any weeding starts, an adult need to thoroughly examine the area for dangerous litter. Students will need to wear gardening gloves.

Have a weeding activity to clear the bed of weed and any other unwanted plants. If the soil is loose, have a longest root competition and see who can pull out a weed with the longest root. If there are some plants that need to be kept, get students just to pull out one type of weed at a time.

If the soil needs digging over, it is a job for an adult. If you think the weeds need spraying this should also be done by an adult using the prescribed safety gear and following the directions on the herbicide label.

Step 3:

Mulch

Often mulch can be found around the school. The best mulch is material that has already started decomposing. Thick layers may be found under some eucalypts.

Gardening tools are designed for adults, so the handles are too long for children. When students use rakes, garden forks and spades, they need to be given lessons in safety before they start. They need to be informed how to hold and work with the tools. Students need to have rules set about how much clear distance they have around each person so that other people are not hurt by the tools. Students will need to be carefully supervised by an adult.

Step 4:

Plant and water

Progressively place the plants in the location where they need to be planted. Show students how to:

1. Clear a small area of mulch.

2. Dig a hole about the right size for the plant.

3. Remove a poa from a tube.

4. Replace soil and mulch around the planted poa.

5. Provide a soaking watering for each poa.

6. Avoid standing on any plants while working.

Step 5:

Cream on the cake

Obtain a dish that can contain 3 cm of water to be placed in the habitat.

A few rocks on the surface would be nice, as well as a rotting log or large branches.

Faster and more expensive habitat planting method

For a full description for doing revegetation projects with students go to the AUSMEPA website:

https://www.ausmepa.org.au/students/projects/revegetation/

Step 1:

Decide on plants

Use the assistance of a local indigenous nursery to decide on what and how many plants you need.
They will need the following information:

1. A measurement of the area to be planted.

2. The kind of habitat you want to create.

3. make sure you only have a small number of trees and shrubs, otherwise it will become over grown.

If you have the money allocation, order the plants.

Step 2:

Prepare the garden bed

Before any weeding starts, an adult need to thoroughly examine the area for dangerous litter. Students will need to wear gardening gloves.

Have a weeding activity to clear the bed of weeds and any other unwanted plants. If the soil is loose, have a longest root competition and see who can pull out a weed with the longest root. If there are some plants that need to be kept, get students just to pull out one type of weed at a time.

If the soil needs digging over, it is a job for an adult. If you think the weeds need spraying this should also be done by an adult using the prescribe safety gear and following the directions on the herbicide label.

Step 3:

Mulch

The area needs to be covered in about 10 cm of mulch. If you buy mulch, this is a job students have a lot of fun doing, so avoid allowing adults taking over on this task.

Often mulch can be found around the school. The best mulch is material that has already started decomposing. Thick layers may be found under some eucalypts.

Gardening tools are designed for adults, so the handles are too long for children. When students use rakes, garden forks and spades, they need to be given lessons in safety before they start. They need to be informed how to hold and work with the tools. Students need to have rules set about how much clear distance they have around each person so that other people are not hurt by the tools. Students will need to be carefully supervised by an adult.

Step 4:

Plant and water

Progressively place the plants in the location where they need to be planted. Show students how to:

1. Clear a small area of mulch.

2. Dig a hole about the right size for the plant.

3. Remove a poa from a tube.

4. Replace soil and mulch around the planted poa.

5. Provide a soaking watering for each poa.

6. Avoid standing on any plants while working.

Step 5:

Cream on the cake

Obtain a dish that can contain 3 cm of water to be placed in the habitat.

A few rocks on the surface would be nice, as well as a rotting log or large branches.

Class habitat patch

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