World Environment Day / Schoolyard Habitat Map
Schoolyard Habitat Map
Small teams explore the grounds, find micro-habitats such as leaf litter, bark, shady garden beds and bare concrete, then map and rate how wildlife-friendly each spot is.
How to run it
- Talk about what living things need: food, water, shelter and space.
- Give each team a clipboard, a rough site map and a zone to explore.
- Have teams mark every micro-habitat they find and note any creatures or signs of life.
- Ask teams to colour each spot green, orange or red for how wildlife-friendly it is.
- Combine the maps and vote on one red spot the group could improve.
You will need
- clipboards
- printed or hand-drawn site maps
- coloured pencils
- magnifying glasses
Make it easier or harderYounger children can simply draw what lives in each spot; older children can add a key, a scale and a written improvement plan.
SafetyAgree on boundaries first, and remind children to look but not touch spiders, ants or unknown creatures.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 4Children investigate their local environment and propose ways to care for it, contributing to their world as active learners.
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