Category: Homeschool

free homeschool resources

LESSON SUMMARY

Human mothers aren’t the only ones who form close bonds with their babies. Learn how cows, pigs, chickens and sheep love and nurture their offspring.

DOWNLOAD LESSON MATERIAL (PDF)

Year Level: 1–2

Learning area: Science

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; ethical understanding; literacy

Lesson duration: 95 minutes

Learning Outcomes

Your child will:

  • understand that animals reproduce, grow and change
  • learn about how different animal mothers care for their offspring
  • understand the different stages in the life cycle of cows, pigs, chickens and sheep
  • draw comparisons between how certain animals like cows, pigs, chickens and sheep reproduce in a more natural setting versus an intensive production farm.
… Go to full resource

life cycle chickens year 1

WORKSHEETS SUMMARY

Curious about the inner world of chickens? Let your little ones explore the amazing life of a chicken, learning about their natural life cycle and behaviours.

DOWNLOAD WORKSHEETS (PDF)

Year Level: 1–2

Learning area: Science

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; literacy

Tip: These worksheets include colour images to enhance the learning experience. To print without colour, you can select the grayscale or black and white option in your printer settings.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

This homeschool worksheet bundle explores the unique features, life cycle and natural behaviours of chickens. Children will enjoy full-colour photographs of the different life stages of a chicken, and complete a variety of activities that compare natural life to life on an egg farm.

… Go to full resource

Meeting needs kindergarten

WORKSHEETS SUMMARY

Keep your little ones learning and entertained at home! These fun and educational kindergarten worksheets make the perfect boredom busters and nurture compassion, understanding and respect for all animals.

DOWNLOAD WORKSHEETS (PDF)

 

Year Level: K–1

Learning area: Science, English, Visual Arts

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; literacy

 

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

This homeschool worksheet bundle explores the concept that animals have feelings and needs. Children will draw on their own experiences to identify the needs and emotions humans share with other animals, particularly farm animals. They will also learn how visual clues (both imagined and in real life) can tell us how other animals are feeling.

… Go to full resource

animal rights lesson plan

LESSON SUMMARY

When Jane Goodall went to Gombe to study chimpanzees, she discovered a breakthrough observation. “I arrived here as a scientist and left as an activist.”

DOWNLOAD LESSON MATERIAL (PDF)

Year Level: 3–4

Learning area: Science, English

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; personal and social capability; literacy; sustainability (cross-curriculum priority)

Lesson duration:

80 minutes (Part A–B); 120 minutes (Part C); 60 minutes (Part D)

 

Learning Outcomes

Your child will:

  • learn about the unique characteristics and features of chimpanzees
  • understand how science knowledge about chimpanzee behaviours led to widespread discussion about habitat loss
  • understand how human activities contribute to habitat loss for chimpanzees
  • learn about different methods of activism, including community building, lobbying, petitioning and protesting
  • plan, draft and publish an imaginative, informative and persuasive text for the purpose of activism.
… Go to full resource

animals have feelings

LESSON SUMMARY

Trotsky isn’t your regular house pet…he’s a pig! He and his human Elvis enjoy a very special friendship. In this lesson, children will learn about the complex and endearing nature of pigs – an often misunderstood animal.

DOWNLOAD LESSON MATERIAL (PDF)

Year Level: K–1

Learning area: Science

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; ethical understanding; literacy

Lesson duration: 80 minutes

Learning Outcomes

Your child will:

  • learn about the unique characteristics of pigs
  • understand that pigs have physical, social and emotional needs, just like humans do
  • understand that pigs kept as pets live differently to pigs raised on farms, and that it’s the responsibility of humans to make sure their needs are met.
… Go to full resource

homeschool worksheets pets

LIFE HACKS FOR HOUNDS & HOO-MANS

This fabulous and fun colour-in booklet is perfect for canine-crazy kids! The 13-page booklet outlines important dog care information with helpful illustrations that children can colour in.

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE BOOKLET (PDF)

Year Level: Suitable for all ages

Learning area: Science

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; personal and social capability

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

This 13-page printable booklet outlines important dog care information, teaching children about responsible dog guardianship and the various responsibilities involved.

Your child will:

  • learn about caring for a puppy
  • understand the importance of walking, bathing and cleaning up after their dog
  • learn some basic information about dog health, safety and first aid
  • learn how to safely travel with a dog and search for a lost dog
  • understand separation anxiety in dogs.
… Go to full resource

back to school kids with pets

TOPIC SUMMARY

The back-to-school blues can hit our furry friends pretty hard. Dogs and cats can feel anxious, lonely and stressed when kids go back to school. Here’s what to look out for and how to prepare.

Has your child gone back to school after the holidays or extended time at home? Then you may have already spotted the signs of the the back-to-school blues, not in the kids but in your furry family companion.

Dogs, puppies and cats who have been enjoying hours on end of playtime, walks and cuddles can feel lonely, upset and anxious when the school holidays wrap up, and often struggle to adjust back into their previous routine.

… Go to full resource

homeschool activities

TOPIC SUMMARY

In the age of digital technology, children are exposed to more information than ever before. It’s important to help them approach information critically while maintaining a sense of respect for all opinions and perspectives.

The Australian Curriculum places a big emphasis on critical thinking and media literacy skills, and parents play an important role in developing these skills at home from an early age.

Now more than ever in the age of fake news and social media, these skills are crucial in navigating misleading information and questionable practices by business leaders, media personalities and politicians.

Here are some fun activities to develop critical thinking and media literacy skills in a fun and engaging way at home.

… Go to full resource

homeschool activities

TOPIC SUMMARY

Teaching responsibility early on encourages children to form habits that establish self-confidence, overall well-being and motivation for personal growth and development.

Parents play the most important role in helping kids develop responsibility, on both a personal and interpersonal level.

Teaching responsibility from an early age helps children to form habits that establish self-confidence, overall well-being and motivation to pursue ongoing personal growth and development.

Acting responsibility also means considering the impacts of their everyday choices, actions and treatment of others.

Responsibility develops the following:

  • respect and compassion for others
  • honesty as a matter of course
  • courage in standing up for our principles
  • self-control in acting on our principles
  • self-respect.
… Go to full resource