Our Year 1 students recently enjoyed an exciting excursion to Perth Zoo, bringing their Biological Science learning about living things to life. Through hands-on experiences, close-up animal encounters and a special education session, students deepened their understanding of God’s wonderful creation and the importance of caring for all living things.
This term, the Year 1 students have been learning about living things in Biological Science, with a special focus on animals. Throughout the unit, students explored how and why God made living things, recognised the common features of animals, and learnt how to care for them. We discovered that God is the creator of all living things and that He deeply cares for His beautiful creation. As we learnt more about animals and their needs, our excitement grew for our upcoming excursion to Perth Zoo.
The students had been anticipating the excursion for a long time and could hardly contain their excitement on the day. Many students talked about the animals they hoped to see, from furry mammals to scaly reptiles. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm as we arrived at the zoo, ready for a day of learning and discovery.
Our visit began with an Education Experience called Happy, Healthy and Thriving. During this session, students learnt about the things all living creatures need to stay healthy and happy. They made important links between caring for themselves and caring for zoo animals. The session helped students understand that animals, like people, need nutritious food, clean water, shelter, exercise and care to thrive.
After the education session, students were divided into groups and set off to explore the zoo. There was so much to see! We observed crocodiles resting in their habitat, giraffes stretching their long necks to reach leaves high in the trees, and penguins swimming gracefully through the water. One of the most memorable moments of the day was visiting the Komodo dragon. The students were amazed to see it eating a mouse, and there were plenty of excited conversations afterwards!
As we toured the zoo, students had many opportunities to identify animal features, discuss habitats and observe how different animals live and behave. It was wonderful to see them making connections between their classroom learning and the real world.
The Perth Zoo excursion was a fantastic experience that brought our Biological Science learning to life. The students returned to school with new knowledge, wonderful memories and an even greater appreciation for God’s incredible creation.
For more information about Perth Zoo, visit:
www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au
