Caring for Our Oceans

Curriculum Area

Australian Curriculum – Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Foundation Year
Strand: Geography
Content Description: The importance of environments, including natural features, and why they are significant to people (ACHASSK015).

Lesson Objective

Students will engage in a hands-on sensory experience to understand the impact of rubbish in the ocean. They will develop fine motor skills while using mini tongs to remove litter from the water, helping to "save" sea animals.

Duration

15 minutes

Materials

• Large plastic tub filled with water
• Plastic sea animal figurines (e.g., fish, turtles, dolphins)
• Small pieces of rubbish (e.g., paper scraps, plastic bottle lids, foil)
• Mini tongs (one per student)
• Small containers for collected rubbish
• Picture cards showing clean and polluted oceans

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (3 minutes)

Discussion Starter

• Gather students around the tub and ask, "What do you see in the water?"
• Encourage them to describe the sea animals and the rubbish.
• Ask, "How do you think the sea animals feel with rubbish in their water?"

Key Question: Why do we need to keep the ocean clean?

2. Sensory Experience – Clean Up the Ocean! (8 minutes)

Activity Instructions

1. Give each student a pair of mini tongs.
2. Explain that their mission is to "rescue" the sea animals by removing the rubbish without touching the water.
3. One at a time, students will use their tongs to carefully pick up a piece of rubbish and place it in the container.
4. Once all the rubbish has been removed, discuss how the ocean looks now and how the animals might feel.

Guiding Questions:

• Was it easy or tricky to pick up the rubbish?
• Where does rubbish belong instead of the ocean?
• How can we help keep the ocean clean in real life?

3. Reflection and Wrap-Up (4 minutes)

• Show students the picture cards of a clean and polluted ocean.
• Ask, "Which ocean looks better for the sea animals? Why?"
• Reinforce the message that we must keep our environment clean to protect wildlife.
• End with a class pledge: "We will always put our rubbish in the bin to help protect the animals!"

Assessment

• Observe students’ participation in the activity.
• Listen to their responses during discussions to assess their understanding of ocean pollution and personal responsibility.

Extension Activity (Optional)

• Read a short picture book about ocean conservation (e.g., Somebody Swallowed Stanley by Sarah Roberts).
• Create an art project where students draw a "happy ocean" with no rubbish.

Reflection for the Teacher

• Did students engage with the sensory experience?
• Did they demonstrate an understanding of why rubbish harms sea animals?
• How can I build on this lesson to further explore sustainability?

This lesson provides an immersive, hands-on way for young learners to connect with environmental stewardship in a developmentally appropriate and engaging manner.