In this recorded professional learning session, Lyn Rogers from the Science Learning Hub and Ben Moorhouse from the Department of Conservation introduce some readily available resources and model activities about New Zealand’s native trees.
They discuss how engaging in science inquiries can be easily adapted to any level as well as supporting learning across the curriculum. Their enthusiasm for this topic will inspire teachers to explore native trees as a context within the Living World curriculum.
Look forward to exploring with this resource in hand.
Teacher
You may find it easier to download the video and slideshow presentation.
Index
| Topic | Slideshow number(s) | Video timecode |
| Introducing the Science Learning Hub and presenters | 1 | 00:00 |
| Index | 2–3 | 00:22 |
| Purpose | 4 | 00:39 |
| What is a tree? | 5–7 | 01:03 |
| Identifying native trees – classification | 8–9 | 02:57 |
| Identifying native trees – observation | 10–12 | 06:43 |
| Why are native trees important? | 13–15 | 13:50 |
| Department of Conservation resources | 16–18 | 15:33 |
| What is special about New Zealand trees? | 19 | 22:00 |
| Podocarp forests | 20 | 24:18 |
| Co-evolution, whakapapa and interdependence | 21 | 27:27 |
| Local speciation | 22 | 28:45 |
| Special adaptations | 23 | 30:38 |
| Opportunities for connecting with native trees | 24 | 31:55 |
| What next? | 25 | 35:18 |
| DOC and SLH links, thanks | 26–27 | 37:25 |
Teacher
Thanks – I've learned so much!
Nature of science
The activities outlined in this webinar encourage students to think like scientists – making careful observations and using these as evidence for decision making regarding classification of native trees.
Related webinars
This is part of a series of webinars that we are holding with the Department of Conservation to showcase their wonderful new resources designed to connect students with the environment.
- Eco-explorers – recorded webinar
- Pest detectives – recorded webinar
- Eco-champions – recorded webinar
You may also be interested in our webinar He rauemi reo Māori mō ngā rākau – Te reo Māori plant resources for an overview of the bilingual resources created with Dr Norm Mason.
In Exploring mātauranga in the classroom Chloe Stantiall, a year 5–6 kaiako at Silverdale Normal School, shares her experiences and insights from a week-long teaching and learning sequence about kōwhai.
Activity ideas
Some related activities include Ferns under the microscope, Observation: learning to see, Native plant leaves – DIY classification system, Making a life-size leaf collection and Develop a classification system.
Related content
Articles you may wish to use for further reading include Observation and science and the video Using DNA analyses for classification.
Teaching in te reo Māori? We have a series of articles exploring trees available here.
The articles Indigenous perspectives – giants of the forests and The Majestic Samaúma – art meets science explore indigenous connections with trees in Aotearoa and in the Amazonian rainforest.
Help with planning
The article New Zealand native trees – an introduction curates resources regarding the role of trees in native ecosystems, global cycles, their evolution and so much more. Included in this is the interactive Planning pathways using native tree resources that groups Hub resources into key science and teaching concepts. It provides a selection of pathways that allow for differing approaches and starting points to assist educators with their planning of lessons and units of work.
Exploring kōwhai mātauranga in the classroom is a first-hand account of a week-long inquiry of kōwhai trees, complete with kaiako-generated resources.
See our tree Pinterest board for more resources.
Useful links
This webinar features the Department of Conservation resources Experiencing native trees in your green space and Enhancing biodiversity in your green space. The full collection of Department of Conservation resources can be found here.
Connecting with Nature to Care for Ourselves and the Earth highlights the most current and compelling evidence for connecting people with nature.
Acknowledgement
This webinar was brought to you in collaboration with the Department of Conservation.
