Respecting Our Environment

Unit: Exploring Our Country's Stories

Lesson 6 of 10

Year Level: Foundation (Kindergarten/Prep) Duration: 45 minutes Class size: 25 students Learning Area: History (Humanities and Social Sciences - HASS) Australian Curriculum Version: 9

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, students will explore the importance of caring for Country and respecting the environment. They will learn about sustainable practices and develop a foundational understanding of how people can act responsibly towards the environment. The focus is on the custodial responsibility First Nations Australians have for Country and how we can all care for the land, waters and skies.

Curriculum Alignment

Content Descriptions (History - Foundation)

ACHASSK031: Explore family history and cultural backgrounds, identifying changes and continuities in daily life and environment.
ACHASSK032: Recognise that stories from the past can be told through different perspectives, including First Nations Peoples and other community members.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Foundation Level Outcomes

Collect and record information and data from observations and provided sources.
Understand the concept of “Country/Place” and the importance of caring for it.
Recognise sustainable practices for caring for the environment and how people can respect and look after Country.

General Capabilities

Ethical Understanding: Recognising the importance of caring for the environment as a shared responsibility.
Intercultural Understanding: Developing respect for First Nations Australians' connection to Country and their custodial responsibilities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Understand the concept of ‘Country’ and why it is important to respect and care for it.
Identify simple sustainable practices that protect the environment (e.g., reducing waste, caring for plants and animals).
Recognise First Nations Australians’ role as custodians of Country and how their stories teach us about caring for the environment.

Materials and Resources

Picture books or storybooks about Country and Caring for the Environment (preferably with First Nations' perspectives)
Visual aids/pictures of natural environments (forests, rivers, oceans) and sustainable practices (recycling, planting trees)
Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
Recyclable classroom materials for a craft activity (paper, cardboard, colored pencils)
Plant or nature objects collected for show and tell (e.g., leaves, rocks, shells)
Simple Songs or videos about caring for Country (optional)

Lesson Activities

Time	Activity	Details
5 minutes	Welcome and Engage	Gather students on the floor. Introduce the lesson topic by asking: "What is Country? Why do we need to look after our land and environment?" Use a large picture or map to show local Country. Share a short story or a talking stick activity where students share what they love about nature.
10 minutes	Story Time: Caring for Country	Read a picture story about Country and environment care told from a First Nations Australian perspective. Pause to discuss key points about why Country is important and how we protect it. Ask simple comprehension questions: "How do people look after Country?"
10 minutes	Class Discussion and Visual Brainstorm	On a whiteboard/chart, create a mind map titled "How can we look after the environment?" Guide students to contribute ideas such as picking up rubbish, planting trees, respecting animals, using water wisely. Introduce the word "sustainable" in simple terms: “doing things that don’t hurt the land so it can be healthy for a long time.”
10 minutes	Hands-on Activity: Craft or Nature Collage	In small groups or pairs, have students use recyclable materials or natural items to create a collage or artwork representing a healthy environment. Encourage them to think about the actions they brainstormed. While creating, circulate to ask reflective questions: “How does your picture show respect for the environment?”
7 minutes	Reflect and Share	Invite students to share their creations and explain their ideas for caring for Country. Reinforce vocabulary such as ‘respect,’ ‘Country,’ ‘sustainable,’ and ‘look after’. Summarise the lesson by highlighting how everyone plays a part in caring for the environment.
3 minutes	Lesson Close and Home Connection	Explain a simple ‘Care for Country’ action students can do at home or on the way to school (e.g., pick up one piece of rubbish, water a plant, ask family about caring for local places). Provide a take-home card with a picture checklist of these actions.

Assessment for Learning

Observations during discussions and sharing demonstrate students’ understanding of respecting Country and environment care.
Student contributions to the brainstorm and craft activity show recognition of sustainable actions.
Informal questioning gauges comprehension of key terms and the concept of custodial responsibility.

Differentiation

Support: Prompt students with visual aids and examples. Provide a quiet workspace for sensory-sensitive students during craft.
Extension: Challenge advanced students to think of new ways to care for the environment or to share a story from their own family about respecting nature.

Teacher Reflection Notes

Did the students engage with the First Nations perspective on Country?
How well did students understand the concept of sustainability and caring for the environment?
Consider integrating local Indigenous community voices or a guest speaker for future related lessons.
Encourage ongoing classroom practices such as recycling or a small garden to reinforce learning.

This lesson supports building respect for Australia’s unique heritage and environment, fostering early civic responsibility and valuing diverse cultural narratives in line with the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation level requirements. It connects concepts of history, culture, and environment through active, age-appropriate participation and reflection.

If you want, I can help design the take-home card or suggest specific storybooks to use in this lesson!

Teaching Instructions