1. Educator resources (p.1-5)2. Student resources (p.5-8)3. DVDs, CDROMs and videos (p.9)4. Books (p.10-12)5. Games (p.12)6. Reports (p.13)

NRM EducationLoan library resources: environment

1. Educator resources

Schoolyard-enhanced learning - using the outdoors as an instructional tool, K-8(book)2007, Stenhouse PublishersEarly-Middle Years

This book “shows how the school grounds - regardless of whether your school is in anurban, suburban, or rural setting - can become an enriching extension of the class-room. In this comprehensive handbook, Herb Broda blends theory and practice,providing readers with practical suggestions and teacher-tested activities for using themost powerful audio-visual tool available - the outdoors.”

Looking at Forests (book)2011, Global Education Centre

"Written for primary and lower secondary teachers to broaden their students and theirown understanding of issues related to forests at a local, national and global level.Through inquiry based learning activities students are encouraged: to develop theirunderstandings of forests and forest issues; to develop a range of literacy, numeracy,mapping, scientific and research skills; to explore their values and recognise thevalidity of different points of view; and to participate in action at the local level toprotect forests."

Make a difference challenge: enabling students to take positive action on anissue in their community that they feel passionate about (middle-upper primary+)(book)2008, Ready Ed PublicationsPrimary-Middle Years

“The Make a Difference Challenge (MDC) provides 9 year old students and above withthe opportunity to select an issue they feel particularly passionate about and then to dosomething about it. The Make a Difference Challenge will: build healthiercommunitities, teach responsibilities, develop communication skills, improveconfidence and develop important attitudes. It is written in a simple, step-by-stepformat that will show students how to access organisations, resources and the peoplenecessary to make change.” Copyright protected: no photocopying allowed.

Litter Less - a resource for teachers and students(Years 6-9) (book)KESAB environmental solutions/Wrigleys

“Litter Less is an integrated education initiative incorporating an action plan for schools,with educational resources and support materials. A key feature is an emphasis onstudent voice, leadership and action...The Litter Less initiative aims to increaseopportunities to learn about the environmental, social and economic impacts of litter;educate the whole school community about litter issues; improve systems to reduceand prevent littering, recover resources and reduce/minimise waste in schools;encourage ongoing monitoring of progress in litter reduction; reduce the environmentalimpact of litter from schools; effect change in attitudes and behaviour relating to litterand littering; develop a sense of individual responsibility and ownership and create asense of pride of place/pride in the school and surrounding areas. ”

Local solutions for global pollutions: aligned with Edward de Bono's ThinkingHats Principles Ages 10+ (book)2005, Ready-Ed PublicationsMiddle Years

“This series aims to promote critical thinking strategies in the classroom using acreative thinking process to address topics in specific learning areas. This bookaddresses Science: including topics such as enviro-friendly transport, energy efficientenvironments, animal conservation, water-wise communities, recycling and farming.The book is divided into specific tasks that require the student or small group to workthrough a formal process to achieve a solution. Within the groups, students are givena team role that dictates how they as an individual should approach the task. Theactivities can be used as a 12 week group rotation program, or as individual activitiesfor early finishers, or as a whole class lesson.” Copyright protected: no photocopying allowed.

Discovering the environment (book)2005, Curriculum CorporationPrimary Years

“Discovering the Environment outlines the facts about serious environmental issues -such as pollution, ozone and land degradation - and suggests ways to save the planetwith measures such as energy conservation, recycling, alternative power sources andmaintaining biodiversity. Each unit contains a wealth of background information forstudents and teachers, interspersed with a variety of hands-on tasks. Fullyreproducible worksheets include models to construct and activities for inside andoutside the classroom.”

Hands on for Habitat: exploring Australia's threatened species resource kit (kit)2006, Department of the Environment and HeritageEarly - Primary Years

Kit contains Teachers Guide, fact sheets and posters. The Guide “contains suggestedclassroom activities and lesson plans, as well as a variety of information and activitysheets to help teach students about Australia’s threatened plants and animals.”

Green Maths: Level 2,3,4 and 5 (book)2000, Gould LeaguePrimary-Middle Years

“The Green Maths series creates a new excitement for maths among students. TheGreen Maths books stimulate students to use maths to investigate their immediateenvironment. They’ll enjoy the challenge of solving environmental issues and receivegreat satisfaction from helping improve their environment. The Green Maths booksprovide stimulating and motivating application of maths in the real-world and cater forindividual differences among students. Teachers will also find the activities rewardingas their students discover the power of maths in solving many of the school’senvironmental challenges.” Copyright protected: no photocopying allowed.

Kids Clean Up Kit: a fun, easy and practical way toeducate children about the environment (book)2004, Clean Up AustraliaPrimary Years

“This kit is an integrated unit of work designed by teachers for teachers of infant andprimary school students. It provides educational and practical activities that can beused to complement involvement in Schools Clean Up Day. It is designed to beextremely flexible to allow teachers to extract and adapt resources and activities tomeet the interest and need of students.”

Environment and the world (recipes for success in literacy series) (book)2004, Curriculum CorporationPrimary Years

“This book is from a series with a simple premise, that children learn more if they arehaving fun. The ‘recipes’ are a rich variety of activities that encourage all students toachieve success....The activities are flexible and can be used for small group work inlearning centres or as whole class activities. The focus of the series is English, withactivities grouped into the categories: viewing, speaking & listening, reading, ICT,writing and conventions. This book addresses these skills in the context of values andprinciples associated with democracy, social justice and ecological sustainability.”

Biodiversity for Kids: Stage 2 Science - Teacher’s Guide (folder)2003, NSW National Parks and Wildlife ServicePrimary Years+

“Biodiversity for Kids is an environmental education resource that provides a range ofsuggestions for achieving Stage 2 learning outcomes of the Science and TechnologyK-6 syllabus, and complements the sample unit of work, ‘Mini-worlds’. This resourcewill assist students to achieve many of the objectives of the Environmental EducationPolicy for Schools. The resource will also provide support to the Sustainable SchoolsProgram. The teaching and learning in this resources involves developingunderstanding of biodiversity and it’s importance. A substantial practical component ofthe resource is based on a plant and animal survey of the school grounds. The resultsof the survey and the class’s proposed ‘biodiversity action plan’ become importantinclusions in the School Environmental Managment Plan (SEMP).

Food Webs Kit (education kit)1999, Gould LeaguePrimary Years

“An activity-based curriculum guide for primary classes to achieve many learningoutcomes by exploring food webs from Africa, Australia and Antarctica. Explore foodchains, food webs, basic ecology, classification, sorting, similarities and differences,adaptations and endangered animals.” Includes sets of magnet backed graphics forfood webs of Antarctica, Australia and Africa.

Australians and Tourism: an activity-based curriculum guide (book)1998, Gould League & VAEEMiddle Years

This activity-based curriculum guide for post-primary classes explores Australia'stourism industry, its evolution and impacts. The activities in this book are designed tostimulate student discussion and project work exploring the social and environmentalimpacts of tourism in a positive, realistic and interesting way. 60 pages.

Parks and Gardens: an activity-based curriculum guide (book)1998, Gould League & VAEEPrimary Years

“An activity-based curriculum guide for primary classes focussing on parks andgardens to provide enjoyable learning outcomes.tudents use an inquiry approach toinvestigate, appreciate and care for local environments. Includes introductory activitiesin the classroom and for one or more excursions. Helps achieve multiple learningoutcomes in an enjoyable way right across the curriculum from science to music.”48 pages.

Blueprints for Greening Schools - A practical guide to principles, policies andpractices for environmental education in Australian secondary schools (book)1992, Gould League

“This guide focuses on the compulsory years of secondary schooling, that is Years 7 to10 in most Australian states and territories....The intended audience is, therefore,teachers and other members of school communities who are interested in developingenvironmental education programs in the junior and middle secondary school years.The emphasis is on the development of school policies, practices and organisationalarrangements which support such programs. This is not the kind of ‘teachers guide’which consists chiefly of a manual of classroom activities. Rather, it is a guide toprinciples of environmental education and to the kinds of informatiion about policiesand exemplary programs which might inform discussion, debate and decision makingabout environmental education in staffrooms and meetings of school councils andcommittees. It is a guide to ideas, not prescriptions or procedures.”

Get Connected (sets of five magazines and DVDs)2007-2009, World VisionMiddle Years

“Get Connected is an education resource designed for Australian upper primary andlower secondary classrooms. Published twice a year. Get Connected is a 28 pagecolour workbook aimed to help students develop a better understanding of internationalissues and the values of global citizenship. The resource includes case studies,personal stories, graphs, maps, photographs, quizzes and a range of student-centredactivities based around multiple intelligences and Bloom’s taxonomy of thinking. Theseinclude individual, pair and small group work.”Additional supporting resources for each edition are available to download from theWorld Vision web site www.worldvision.com.au/learn/schoolresources

“No. 5: Global Food Crisis: Explore food inequality around the world; understand thecauses of the crisis and how it impacts children.No. 4. Child Rights: Explore the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and childrights issues around the world. Includes the Get Connected Child Rights DVD andteachers’ notes. The DVD gives students an overview of the UN Convention on theRights of the child and reveals how millions of children in India are denied their rightsbecause of child labour.No. 3 Our Pacific Neighbours: Learn more about our region and Australia’s links withthe Pacific. What are the important social and environmental issues facing our region?No. 2 Disasters: How do natural and human-made disasters differ? Explore the effectsof the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the ongoing armed conflict in Sri Lanka.Understand the key features of emergency relief, recovery, rehabilitation and disasterpreparedness.No.1: Water: Focus on water, with a 22 minute DVD looking at the importance ofaccess to safe water. Explore case studies from Australia, Niger, Papua New Guineaand Laos.”

2. Student resources

Australia: State of the Environment 2011 in brief (booklet)2011, Commonwealth of AustraliaMiddle Years+

“This document is a summary of a national assessment of Australia’s environment,Australia state of the environment 2011...In the report, the Australian environment isdivided up into nine themes representing biogeographic or conceptual aspects of theAustralian environment. Each theme - atmosphere, inland water, land, marineenvironment, Antarctic environment, biodiversity, heritage, built environment and coasts- is assessed at a national scale following a similar approach. The main dirvers ofchange in the Australian environment are also described and the report concludes witha discussion of opportunities and challenges associated with future reporting.”

This set contains 15 copies of the report.

Forests: A Global Perspective (book)2011, Australian Teachers' Association of Victoria

Interdependence and globalisation: Where are the world's forests? How has theirdistribution changed over time? What are the factors that contribute to forest decline?Sustainable futures: How do forests contribute to environmental health? What actioncan be taken to conserve future forests?Identity and cultural diversity: How are forests used by people?Social justice and human rights: How does deforestation affect people and theenvironment? How can forests be managed to help reduce poverty?

Green stuff for kids: an A to Z guide to what's up with with planet (book)2009, Melbourne University PressMiddle Years

“Green Stuff for Kids is a young readers’ guide to what’s up with the planet and whatthey can do to make a difference. Jam-packed with fun facts, eco-activities,information and green tips, this book covers a huge range of environmental issues andhot topics, including air pollution, biodegradability, climate change, e-waste, litter,natural disasters, recycling and water conservation.”

World-wide Waste (book)2006, Caren Trafford, PlanetKidzPrimary Years+

“'Is our future being wasted? Pollution is accelerating, climate change is threateningand we live in a world where we want everything… now. What is all this doing to ourplanet? The answer could be the greatest challenge of our time. Meet the gangwho’ve dug deep and are ready to come clean with the biggest scoop of the century.World-wide Waste invites audiences to look at the huge waste issues around thisplanet and to become an Environmental Hero, intent on finding solutions. Blendingfascinating factoids, wicked humour and bright illustrations, this book is botheducational and fun.”

The world that we want (book)2008, University of Queensland PressEarly - Primary Years

“Nine different habitats and forty-five fascinating creatures feature in this spectacularportrayal of the rare and fragile beauty of North Queensland. Seach through theecosystems, discover the unique creatures and find out how these environmentalworlds interact. Award-winning author and illustrator Kim Michelle Toft has createdanother stunning interactive environmental picture book, each illustration vividlyhand-painted on silk.”

The adventures of a plastic bottle (book)2008, Little Simon (Simon & Schuster)Early Years - Primary Years

“Peek into this plastic bottle’s diary as he writes all about his wild journey from therefinery, to the manufacturing line, to the store shelf, to a little boy’s home, to thegarbage, to the recycling plant, and finally...into a space suit!.”

Where the Forest Meets the Sea (book)1987, Walker BooksEarly - Primary Years

“This fascinating and innovative picture book chronicles the reflections of a young boy,exploring a prehistoric rain forest in North Queensland, Australia. The relief collageillustrations, constructed from a multitude of natural materials, create a stunning three-dimensional effect, bringing together visions of the past, present and future.”

Where does the garbage go? (book)1994, HarperCollins PublishersEarly - Primary Years

“Follow that garbage truck...to the landfill to see how trash keeps piling up...to theincinerator to see how trash can be turned into energy...to the recycling center to seehow a soda bottle can be turned into a flowerpot. Filled with graphs, charts, anddiagrams, Where does the Garbage go? explains how we deal with the problem of toomuch trash and provides ideas for easy ways to be part of the solution.”

Banksias and bilbies (book)1995, Gould League of Victoria Inc.

“An indispensable guide for the backyard naturalist, traveller, tourist, or person on theland. Banksias and Bilbies provides unique week-by-week information for the naturalhistory enthusiast, or those of us who simply have an interest in the animals and plantsaround us.”

Home in the Sky (book)2003, Jeannie Baker, Walker BooksEarly Years+

“Mike keeps pigeons on the roof of an abandoned burned-out building in New York.Every morning he lets them out of their coop, and they fly around in the sky until hecalls them back home for breakfast. But one morning, a white pigeon, Light, flies away.His journey takes him across the city, and onto a subway train, where he is rescued bya young boy. This simple, moving story is presented in strikingly original collageconstructions made from natural materials, fabric, clothes and hair.”

Environmental Log Book: for keeping notes on nature in Australia (book)1989, Gould LeagueEarly - Primary Years

“Your Environmental Log Book can become an exciting and colourful record of what ishappening where you live. There are many ways of recording your discoveries...Thenotes you write can show the special relationships that exist between our plants andanimals and where they live“

You and Me, Murrawee (book)1998, Kerri Hashmi, Puffin BooksPrimary Years+

“'We walk this same brown earth – you and me, Murrawee ...' In this lyrical, beautifullyobserved picture book, we see through the eyes of a young girl camping on the riverwith her family, life as it would have been two hundred years ago.”

Window (book)2003, Jeannie Baker, Walker BooksEarly Years+

“Illustrated with elaborate and gorgeous collage constructions, Window is a wordlesspicture book that speaks volumes. It begins with a mother and baby looking through awindow at a view of wilderness and sky as far as the eye can see. With each page, theboy grows and the scene changes, from forest, to a single house, to a village and thento a city.”

The Lorax (book)1971, Dr Seuss, HarperCollinsPrimary Years

“In this haunting fable about the dangers of destroying our forests, the long-sufferingLorax tries to save the trees from the wicked Once-ler’s axe.” Part of the yellow backbooks series. Ideal for fluent readers, and great fun for practicing reading aloud.

3. DVDs, CDROMs and videos

Action Earth (school edition) (DVD)2008, FoxtelPrimary Years+

“Action Earth is a series of 20 short form programs starring world swimming championIan Thorpe. It aims to educate and provide viewers with a hands-on action approachto improve their environment.”

Adelaide: the nature of our city (DVD)2010, Barbara Hardy CentreEarly Years+

“Cities such as Adelaide in South Australia are constructed environments designed tosuit the many demands of their human inhabitants. However, we often don’t realisethat we share these locations with animals. Some of these animals are native, otherscome from elsewhere. Some animals only inhabit very specific locations in one part ofthe house, whilst others are everywhere. This documentary examines the city as ahabitat for animals. It views each component as an ecosystem and explores how weshare our space with an amazingly diverse array of animals.””

Biowatch (CDROM)2002, DECS/Access Media - Open Access CollegeEarly Years

“Biowatch is for younger students who wish to examine the biodiversity of their ownenvironment. There are over 4 weeks of student activities, which can be selected andcompleted in any order. Students are encouraged to spend time on indoor andoutdoor activities including working with the computer.

Ollie Saves the Planet (CDROM)2002, Sustain AbilityEarly Years+

An interactive environmental edu-tainment program. Join Ollie to Reduce, Reuse,recycle and rethink your actions in the areas of Waste, water, energy, air and biodiver-sity to move towards sustainability. Includes interactive content, projects using webpage making software, printable info-screens, cartoon movie, practical real-life studies,teacher notes and lesson plans.

House on fire - logs have life inside (CDROM)2001, Environment Australia

“Firewood users beware! The firewood you burn might have been home to Australiannative birds and animals. ‘House on Fire’ is a lively tune with a message - that logshave life inside. Accompanying the song on the CD are copies of the sheet music,lyrics, a story and activities.”

4. Books

Children and nature: psychological, sociocultural, and evolutionaryinvestigations (book)2002, The MIT Press

“Children and Nature incorporates research from cognitive science, developmentalpsychology, ecology, education, environmental studies, evolutionary psychology,political science, primatology, psychiatry, and social psychiatry. The authors examinethe evolutionary significance of nature during childhood; the formation of children’sconceptions, values, and sympathies toward the natural world; how contact with natureaffects children’s physical and mental development; and the educational and politicalconsequences of the weakened childhood experience of nature in modern society.”

Birthright: people and nature in the modern world (book)2012, Yale University Press

“An eloquent explanation of why human beings need to connect with nature and whatis lost when they are disconnected from the natural world.”

Australia: State of the Environment 2011 in Brief (booklet)2011, Australian Government DSEWPaC

"The report was prepared by an independent committee using a range of bestavailable information to support assessments of environmental condition, pressures,management effectiveness, resilience, risks and outlooks. The report is targeted atboth decision-makers and the public. In the report, the Australian environment isdivided into nine themes representing biogeographic or conceptual aspects of theAustralian environment. Each theme - atmosphere, inland water, land, marineenvironment, Antarctic environment, biodiversity, heritage, built environment andcoasts - is assessed at a national scale following a similar approach. The main driversof change in the Australian environment are also described and the report concludeswith a discussion of opportunities and challenges associated with future reporting."

The full report is also available as a 932-page book.

Ten Commitments: reshaping the Lucky Country's Environment2008, CSIRO Publishing

In this book “leading environmental thinkers in Australia have written provocativechapters on environmental issues facing the nation. Each chapter includes ten keyissues that must be urgently addressed to improve Australia’s environment. The bookis organised by ecosystem, by sector and by cross-cutting themes.” Topics includedeserts, fisheries, mining, biodiversity, fire, Indigenous land management and energy.

The Green Guide: opportunities for young people in the environmentalmovement2009, Conservation Council of SAMiddle Years+

“We hope that The Green Guide will be an indispensable tool for people young (andold) to engage with the environmental sector. We trust this will enable you to take thenext tep to get actively inovlved in the environmental movement.”

On borrowed time: Australia’s environmental crisis and what we must do about it2007, CSIRO PublishingMiddle Years+

“There is no doubt that Australia's environmental problems appear huge and over-whelming. Not only is our unique natural heritage under threat but the consequencesfor agriculture, tourism and the economy may be catastrophic. Can anything be doneto halt the destruction? In this powerful and passionate book, On Borrowed Time,David Lindenmayer argues that Australia does have the knowledge and resources totackle our environmental problems. In addition, he outlines creative and impressivesolutions we can all be a part of. As one of Australia's leading ecologists, ProfessorLindenmayer delivers a timely message about the scale and urgency of the crisis weface.”

Last Child in the Woods: saving our children from Nature-Deficit Disorder2005, Atlantic Books

“This urgent book shows how our children have become increasingly alienated anddistanced from nature, why this matters and how we can make a difference. Last Childin the Woods, which has inspired the influential international movement Leave NoChild Inside, has not only drawn attention to the issue and provoked debate; it alsooffers practical advice on how to help children enjoy the natural world - starting in ourparks and gardens, homes and schools.”

Conserving Adelaide's biodiversity (booklet)2000, SA Urban Forest Biodiversity Program

“In the Metropolitan Adelaide Region, the UFBP has developed Conserving Adelaide’sBiodiversity to guide priorities and actions for the conservation of our unique flora andfauna; their genetic diversity and the ecosystems of which they are a part and at thesame time, linking the program with Aboriginal cultural heritage.”

The new nature: winners and losers in wild Australia2003, PenguinMiddle Years+

“Forget about wilderness, Tim Low says – nature lives here in our cities and gardens,exploiting everything we do, forging new connections with us. Endangered species areturning up in industrial zones. In our forests, native pests, including lyrebirds andrainforest trees, are now a force to reckon with. Sheep are being kept in some nationalparks to save rare birds and plants. We need to know why. The New Nature showsthat: wildlife welcomes our sewage, rare animals need weeds, wildlife-friendlygardening is not so friendly. Tim Low's groundbreaking book will change your view ofnature.”

Adelaide Nature of a City: The ecology of a dynamic city from 1836 to 20362005, BioCityMiddle Years+

“This book tracks the changes to the biological communities, to the plants and animals,and to the structure and nature of the built environmnet of the city of Adelaide from itsinception in 1836 to the present day and predicts the future through to 2036.”

5. Games

Outdoor Environmental Games: Survival Special (book)1998, Gould League of VictoriaPrimary Years

“Most of the games in this book would fit somewhere between Problem Solving andFree Play on the experience continuum. All of them combine a sense of fun with someteaching on ecology. Environmental play is not just concerned with knowledge of theenvironmental setting and the animate and inanimate objects within it. It is alsoconcerned with the development of feelings and attitudes towards the environment.”

6. Reports

Biodiversity and its value1993, Commonwalth of AustraliaSenior Years+

“This paper outlines what biodiversity is, and the three levels at which it is usuallydefined: genetic, species and ecosystem. Most importantly, this paper explains whybiodiversity is important. The range of invaluable ecosystem services provided bybiodiversity are described, as are the values of biological resources such as timber andfood and the range of social and cultural values of biodiversity. To conclude, the paperdescribes the value of diversity itself.”

This file was last updated August 2019.