In the Classroom

Activity

Construct the Ecogram:

The ecogram creates opportunity for students to understand their bush as an ecosystem, and demonstrate how it works. They build the model, using the data they collected.

1. Drawings, or crafted examples, are best done by class, but may include teacher, specialist art teacher, interested parent or everyone working together, and provides opportunity for the expression of Indigenous art.

2. Draw or craft trees (and bushes), ensuring the highest tree occupies the full height of the space set aside.

3. Pay attention to the colours, highlighting different shades of green and brown and grey. Look at paint colour charts to illustrate different shades of colour.

4. Explore various techniques to represent shiny, dull, smooth, and rough surfaces in their drawings.

5. Label the trees with English and Noongar names.

6. Material collected from the trapping site is added to the ecogram, when explored. This includes leaves, seeds, parts of bushes (stem, bark), with f lowers and seeds placed at the base of the appropriate tree/plant, wherever applicable, and records (drawn) of other animals seen (birds, etc.)

7. Photograph the ecogram