Quick summary: Venture into the great outdoors with your students and connect with nature. Walk around the schoolyard and ask your students to think about where a good planting site might be. Discuss with your students what trees need to survive. Then come back inside and use the Dirtgirl music video to learn how to plant a seed.

Overarching learning goal: By participating in this activity students will understand that trees are living things and that seeds have a growth cycle from seed to tree. They will also learn how to plant and care for a tree and will take responsibility for their local environment.

Instructions: How to plant a tree

Step 1.

Prepare your planting site. Clear any debris (leaf litter, sticks etc) and dig a hole deep enough to plant your tree into.

Step 2.

Take your tree in your tub and squeeze the sides of the tub gently to loosen the tree from its tub (if your tree is grown in a biodegradable tub then you can place your tree straight into the ground).

Step 3.

Place your tree into the hole and use the soil that has been dug out to fill the hole around the tree, making sure the soil covers the roots.

Step 4.

Water generously. Continue to water frequently.

Instructions: How to plant a seed

Step 1.

Fill a small tub with soil using a spoon to fill the tub almost to the top.

Step 2.

Create a small hole with your finger about 2-3 cm deep. Place your seed inside, cover with soil and press the soil down lightly.

Step 3.

Place your tub in or close to sunlight and water frequently.

Other fun ideas for Tree Day

Project	Description	Resources
Nesting Boxes	Many birds and mammal species rely on hollows in trees for shelter and breeding. Natural hollows in trees take years to develop and nesting boxes can be a great alternative.	How to build a nesting box Nesting box construction guide.
Frog bog	Help increase the biodiversity at your school by building habitats for frogs.	CERES hub
Build a bug house	For schools with limited space, this bug box is a great way to help our smallest friends.	Build a bug house instruction sheet
Build a vertical garden	Don't have much space? Try a vertical garden!	How to make a vertical garden
Wildlife corridors	Contact your local council about connecting your school to wildlife corridors in your area.	Your local Council
Indigenous Garden	Increase biodiversity at your school by planting a habitat garden.	How to plant a native garden
Butterfly garden	Design and plant a butterfly garden for your school.	Sustainable Gardening Australia - Butterflies
Biodiversity walk	Create a guided walk of the biodiversity at your school (this is an excellent opportunity to incorporate IT engagement into learning by using QR codes).	CERES Sustainability Hub
Weed removal	Contact your local council about identifying weeds at your school and create an action plan for their removal.	Your local Council

Check out the Cool Australia Biodiversity Digital Library for more resources.

Need some inspiration?

East Bentleigh Primary School has developed a range of gardens to improve biodiversity and provide experiences for its students and community.

East Bentleigh Primary School Biodiversity (https://vimeo.com/47151990)

Schools Tree Day - Dirtgirl shows us how to plant!

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