3. Now that you have created your mindmap together select ONE section of the mindmap to create a presentation using any one of those tools listed on the Presentation Tools page.

Make this presentation as creative and fun as you can!

4.

Reflection: How did you go as a team? Who did the most work or was it even? How was your presentation compared to other pairs?

The world’s oldest spider has died aged 43, but not before teaching humans lessons for life (developed by Kids News)

Primary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Cooperative Learning Activity

Teacher

There are 3 activities developed by Kids News and based on a news article to be read by the class.

Local copy: Word doc [6pages] including news article.

Activity 1: Mind Map the Australian Trapdoor spider using the information from the news article.

Activity 2: Spider Play: Students are to write a puppet play.

Activity 3: Power words: using the words in the article create a new sentence.

Spider Murder Methods: What the duck!: Compare & Contrast

Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Cooperative Learning Activity

Teacher
This is an exercise in listening using the ABC podcast "What the Duck" presented by Dr Ann Jones. There is lots of humour but also essential facts that the students have to note down.

Students

1. In pairs, you are to listen to the following podcast, What the Duck?! Spider Murder Methods 17 December 2022 and take individual notes.

2. Using the "Compare and Contrast Strategy" look at your individual notes for each spider. Work with your partner to consolidate your notes.

3.

Evaluate the "Best" spider murder methods as a class by using your Compare and Contrast Strategy!

4. Individually, you are create one of the spider murders to a paragraph story.

Types of Ticks in Australia

Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy
Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability Priority

1. In groups of 3 - 5 students, read the following article either from Tick Boss or the local copy (Word).

2. Choose ONE to investigate and summarise:

• Cattle tick

• Paralysis tick

• Brown dog tick
  

For the Brown dog tick, you can read The Conversation 28 January 2021 instead of Tick Boss

3.

What did you learn about the tick you investigated?

What do you know about Australian Scorpions?

Primary Middle  Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy
Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability Priority

1. In groups of 3 - 5 students, read the following article from The Conversation or read aloud paragraph by paragraph in the class.

The Conversation 12 January 2024

2.

List 10 facts described in the article as a group. Arrange them in order of importance for the survival of Australian scorpions.

3. With another group, work out the order again adding in another 5 facts. You now have 15 points.

4.

Explain to the class why you put your order the way you did.

5. Individually, write up a paragraph showing:

• What was the most interesting fact(s) for you? (it doesn't need to be what the group found)

• What two unusual facts did you discover?

• If you had to describe scorpions to your parents or guardians what would you say?

6. Want to know more? The Atlas of Australia has been collecting information about Australian scorpions.

Scorpiones

Critical Thinking Spot

Secondary
  
Summarise the following article.
Can you explain what is happening to another pair of students?

The Conversation 21 September 2023