Friends or foes? addresses AC Science Understanding ACSSU072 Living things have life cycles and ACSSU073 Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive, through the context of exploring the interdependent relationship between flowers and insects.
Explore our new sequences for Year 4 aligned to AC V9
Friends or foes? provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- explore the parts of a flower required for pollination and how these attract insects
- explore the life cycle of a bee
- investigate the role of ants in pollination and seed dispersal
Students apply their new learning by:
- planning and conducting an investigation into seed dispersal methods of different plants
- using the data collected in the investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of those methods of seed dispersal
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Friends or foes?, students represent and explain their understanding about how living things have life cycles and that living things depend on each other and the environment to survive, by creating these representations:
- Cross section
- Factual text
- Labelled diagram
- Procedural text
- Science chat-board
- Story board
- Data table
- Word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU072
- ACSSU073
- ACSHE061
- ACSHE062
- ACSIS064
- ACSIS065
- ACSIS066
- ACSIS068
- ACSIS216
- ACSIS069
- ACSIS071
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Friends or foes? sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Friends or foes? unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU072
- ACSSU073
- ACSHE061
- ACSHE062
- ACSIS064
- ACSIS065
- ACSIS066
- ACSIS068
- ACSIS216
- ACSIS069
- ACSIS071
Our new all-online sequence Sustain the chain shares a curriculum content descriptor with this sequence. Sustain the chain is aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9 and contains embedded professional learning and supplementary teacher advice.
Sustain the chain
Students learn about the roles and interactions of consumers, producers and decomposers with their local habitat and use food chains to represent the feeding relationships. They apply their knowledge to their school grounds and develop agency in their local environment.
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU072
- ACSSU073
- ACSHE061
- ACSHE062
- ACSIS064
- ACSIS065
- ACSIS066
- ACSIS068
- ACSIS216
- ACSIS069
- ACSIS071
Among the gum trees
Give me a home among the gum trees, with koalas and honey bees…In this unit find out about the life cycle of Australia’s majestic eucalypts and the animals that depend on them.
Developed with funding from Eucalypt Australia, Among the gum trees addresses AC Science Understanding ACSSU072 Living things have life cycles and ACSSU073 Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive, through the context of the interdependent relationship of eucalypt trees and animals.
Explore our new sequences for Year 4 aligned to AC V9
Among the gum trees provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- investigate the conditions that affects the germination of eucalypt seeds
- explore the features of flowers, the lifecycle of honey bees and their interdependent relationship.
- consider the impacts some animals and eucalypts have on each other
Students apply their new learning by:
- planning and conducting an investigation to find out why eucalypts produce oil
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Among the gum trees, students represent and explain their understanding about how living things have life cycles and that living things depend on each other and the environment to survive, by creating these representations:
- Annotated diagram
- Factual text
- Flow chart
- Labelled diagram
- Poster
- TWLH chart
- Word wall
An information text is available to support the implementation of Among the gum trees. It is a factual, multimodal text about eucalypts and the animals that depend on them. Click here for teaching notes about the information text.
Watch this video with your students. Designed to be implemented with the Among the gum trees unit, it brings to life the stories of scientists involved in building knowledge and awareness about eucalypts and their place in the Australian landscape.
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU072
- ACSSU073
- ACSHE061
- ACSHE062
- ACSIS064
- ACSIS065
- ACSIS066
- ACSIS068
- ACSIS216
- ACSIS069
- ACSIS071
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Among the gum trees sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Among the gum trees unit PDF
- Information text
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU072
- ACSSU073
- ACSHE061
- ACSHE062
- ACSIS064
- ACSIS065
- ACSIS066
- ACSIS068
- ACSIS216
- ACSIS069
- ACSIS071
Our new all-online sequence Sustain the chain shares a curriculum content descriptor with this sequence. Sustain the chain is aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9 and contains embedded professional learning and supplementary teacher advice.
Sustain the chain
Students learn about the roles and interactions of consumers, producers and decomposers with their local habitat and use food chains to represent the feeding relationships. They apply their knowledge to their school grounds and develop agency in their local environment.
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU072
- ACSSU073
- ACSHE061
- ACSHE062
- ACSIS064
- ACSIS065
- ACSIS066
- ACSIS068
- ACSIS216
- ACSIS069
- ACSIS071
Night and day
What causes night and day? The rising of the Sun and the Moon are daily reminders of the awe and wonder, beauty and power of the universe. Studying the relationships between the Sun, Earth and Moon helps us understand how we experience day and night on Earth.
Night and day addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU048 Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day, in the context of observing and modelling the movement of the sun, Earth and moon.
Explore our new sequences for Year 3 aligned to AC V9
Night and day provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- explore the sizes, shapes, positions and movements of the sun, Earth and moon
- role-play the movements of the Earth in relation to the sun and moon
- explain night and day in terms of the Earth spinning on its axis
- inquire about shadows and light
Students apply their new learning by:
- investigating how shadows change throughout the day and linking these changes to the Earth’s movement around the sun
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Night and day, students represent and explain their understanding about how Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day, by creating these representations:
- T-chart
- Annotated drawing
- Labelled diagram
- Role-play
- Data table
- Graph
- Word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU048
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Night and day sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Night and day unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU048
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
Our new all-online sequence Space innovators shares a curriculum content descriptor with this sequence. Space innovators is aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9 and contains embedded professional learning and supplementary teacher advice.
Space innovators
Students use scientific models to explore phenomena on Earth involving the relative position of the Sun and Moon, such as day and night, variable day length and the phases of the Moon. They explore the wider solar system and consider the scientific and technological innovations that have enabled humans to study space.
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU048
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
Heating up
If I hold something cold in my hands, why does it warm up? Where does the heat come from? And when I turn on the heater, where does the heat actually come from? Investigate how heat is produced, which objects make their own heat, and how heat is transferred.
Heating up addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU049 Heat can be produced in many ways and can move from one object to another, in the context of exploring and identifying heat sources among everyday objects and materials.
Explore our new sequences for Year 3 aligned to AC V9
Heating up provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- identify different heat sources
- explore how heat moves from one object to another
- inquire about ways heat is produced
- experience different ways of keeping warm
Students apply their new learning by:
- planning and conducting an investigation to collect data and compare the conductivity of different materials
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Heating up, students represent and explain their understanding about how heat can be produced in many ways and can move from one object to another, by creating these representations:
- Ideas map
- Data table
- T-chart
- Labelled diagram
- Poster
- Word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU049
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Heating up sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Heating up unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU049
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
Our new all-online sequence Scorching swings and slides shares a curriculum content descriptor with this sequence. Scorching swings and slides is aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9 and contains embedded professional learning and supplementary teacher advice.
Scorching swings and slides
Students learn about the transfer of heat, resultant changes in temperature and the conductivity of materials. They explore real-life applications by designing a playground or piece of playground equipment that limits the impacts of heat.
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU049
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
Melting moments
Put the ice-blocks in the cupboard and the chocolate in the oven… Wait, what? That doesn’t sound right! Let’s investigate how adding and removing heat can change something from a solid to a liquid and back again, and never accidentally put your chocolate in the oven again!
Melting moments addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU046 A change of state between solid and liquid can be caused by adding or removing heat, in the context of changing everyday objects using heat.
Explore our new sequences for Year 3 aligned to AC V9
Melting moments provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- exploring how solids or liquids are influenced by temperature
- experience the way items from their everyday lives can change
- inquire about heating, cooling, or freezing selected materials
- discuss and explain the difference between solids and liquids
Students apply their new learning by:
- investigating how shape and size affects the melting time of chocolate
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Melting moments, students represent and explain their understanding about how a change of state between solid and liquid can be caused by adding or removing heat, by creating these representations:
- Line drawing
- Storyboard
- Role-play
- Data table
- Procedural text
- Graphs
- Word walls
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU046
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Melting moments sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Melting moments unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU046
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE051
- ACSIS053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
Feathers, fur or leaves
Is it living or not living? Is it a plant or an animal? Explore how we group things together based on their observable features, to help us figure out what everything is!
Feathers, fur or leaves addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU044 Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things, in the context of thinking and working like taxonomists (scientists who group and classify similar organisms).
Explore our new sequences for Year 3 aligned to AC V9
Feathers, fur or leaves provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- inquire about living and non-living things
- learn how to think like scientists to distinguish between living and non-living things
- explore and describe observable features of plants and animals
- group animals based on observable features
Students apply their new learning by:
- planning and conducting an investigation of the animal groups present in the leaf litter in the school grounds
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Feathers, fur or leaves, students represent and explain their understanding about how living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things, by creating these representations:
- Science chat-board
- Labelled diagram
- Data table
- T-chart
- Branching key
- Procedural text
- Line drawing
- Graph
- Word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU044
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Feathers, fur or leaves sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Feathers, fur or leaves unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Specimen photos for use in activities
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU044
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
Our new all-online sequence Finding features shares a curriculum content descriptor with this sequence. Finding features is aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9 and contains embedded professional learning and supplementary teacher advice.
Finding features
Students use their senses to explore the external features of plants and animals, and learn how to group plants and animals with similar characteristics. They apply this knowledge to design and make a digital or physical scientific model of a plant or animal.
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU044
- ACSHE050
- ACSHE053
- ACSIS054
- ACSIS055
- ACSIS057
- ACSIS215
- ACSIS058
- ACSIS060
Water works
Inquire about the ways we use one of Earth’s most precious resources - water. Explore the movement of water throughout the school and across a landscape. Investigate use of water in different occupations, and suggest responsible management of water at school and beyond.
Water works addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU032 Earth’s resources are used in a variety of ways, in the context of water use at school and home.
Explore our new sequences for Year 2 aligned to AC V9
Water works provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- develop an understanding of, and appreciation for, a precious natural resource
- explore how water is used and how to use it responsibly
- increase awareness of where water comes from, and how it moves across the landscape
Students apply their new learning by:
- planning and conducting an investigation of people’s use and management of water
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Water works students represent and explain their understanding about how Earth’s resources are used in a variety of ways, by creating these representations:
- Map
- Labelled diagram
- Role-play
- Storyboard
- Factual text
- Graph
- Interview
- Factual recount
- Word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU032
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS214
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Water works sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Water works unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU032
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS214
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042
Push-pull
Pushing and pulling, and floating and sinking - how are they related? In this unit learn about the forces of push and pull and how they work in water and in the air.
Push-pull addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU033 A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape, in the context of inquiring about how toys move.
Explore our new sequences for Year 2 aligned to AC V9
Push-pull provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- explore pushes and pulls
- observe and gather evidence about how these forces act in air and water, and on the ground
- identify the effect of the pull of gravity
- learn that both air and water can 'push'
Students apply their new learning by:
- planning and conducting an investigation of the factors that affect a paper whirly-bird’s fall through air
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Push-pull, students represent and explain their understanding about how a push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape, by creating these representations:
- data table
- force-arrow diagram
- factual text
- word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU033
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS214
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Push-pull sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Push-pull unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU033
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS214
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042
Machine makers
The dominoes falling pushes the marble… The marble lands in the spoon and raises it… The spoon flips the switch… Ever seen a Rube Goldberg machine in action? In this unit explore the forces of push and pull and apply understanding to design your very own Rube Goldberg machine!
Machine makers addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU033 A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape, in the context of creating Rube Goldberg machines.
Explore our new sequences for Year 2 aligned to AC V9
Machine makers provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- experience different ways to make objects move using ramps, levers, and pulleys
- explore the different strengths of pushes and pulls required to manipulate and control the movement of objects
- examine diagrams made by other inventors
Students apply their new learning by:
- designing and making their own Rube Goldberg machine using pushes and pulls
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In Machine makers, students represent and explain their understanding about how a push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape, by creating these representations:
- Annotated drawing
- T-chart
- Ideas map
- Data table
- Word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU033
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The Machine makers sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The Machine makers unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU033
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042
All mixed up
Solids with solids, solids with liquids, liquids with liquids - which can be mixed together? How can the mixtures be used? And once they’re all mixed up, can they be separated again? Explore how materials are combined for different purposes.
All mixed up addresses the AC Science Understanding ACSSU031 Different materials can be combined for a particular purpose, in the context of inquiring about mixtures.
Explore our new sequences for Year 2 aligned to AC V9
This unit was updated in July 2021 to include more accurate advice about food allergies and anaphylaxis.
All mixed up provides students with hands-on opportunities to:
- explore and create mixtures of solids, mixtures of solids and liquids, and mixtures of liquids
- identify different everyday mixtures found in the school and home
- explain the benefits and purposes of particular mixtures
Students apply their new learning by:
- planning and conducting an investigation about how to separate a mixture of solids
- planning and conducting an investigation about what different black inks are made of
Linking science with literacy
In the Primary Connections approach, students are supported to create representations that draw on and strengthen their literacy development. In All mixed up, students represent and explain their understanding about how different materials can be combined for a particular purpose, by creating these representations:
- Ideas map
- Data table
- Annotated drawing
- Procedural text
- T-chart
- Role-play
- Word wall
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU031
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS214
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042
This is a classic Primary Connections sequence aligned with the Australian Curriculum V8.4. It is only available as a downloadable package.
The All mixed up sequence package includes all the resources you need to teach this sequence, including:
- The All mixed up unit PDF
- Equipment list
- Australian Curriculum v8.4 alignment
- Student eResource sheets
- Assessment resources:
- Assessment rubrics
- Work samples
- Student self-assessment
- Achievement standard class checklist
Teacher tools
This sequence addresses the following Australian Curriculum V8.4 content descriptions
- ACSSU031
- ACSHE034
- ACSHE035
- ACSIS037
- ACSIS038
- ACSIS039
- ACSIS040
- ACSIS214
- ACSIS041
- ACSIS042