Year 5/6 Inquiry: What Do Living Things Need to Survive and What Can We Learn from Nature and Ourselves?

Over the past few weeks, Year 5/6 S/B students have been diving deep into our inquiry on survival - guided by the question: “What do living things need to survive, and how can we learn from nature and ourselves?” Inspired by the survival TV series Alone, students have been exploring how living things meet their basic needs in extreme environments—and what we, as humans, can learn from their adaptations.

We began by considering this overarching question as a class, engaging in a rich discussion where students shared and built on one another’s ideas. From there, we investigated the wild and remote landscape of Southwest Tasmania.

Students took part in a choral reading of an informative text about the region—an approach that supports reading fluency, confidence and expression. They learnt about the area's unique flora and fauna, the terrain and the deep knowledge of the Palawa people. Students then examined a range of resources, including the UTAS EucaFlip (Guide to the Eucalypts of Tasmania) and photo collections of bushwalking and camping in the region. These materials prompted thoughtful discussions about survival, adaptation and respectful relationships with the environment.

Building on this knowledge, students were challenged to plan for survival in the region. They selected ten items from a pre-made list of wilderness gear, carefully justifying their choices based on the harsh environmental conditions. This hands-on activity encouraged critical thinking and real-world application of their understanding of living systems and environmental science.

In Mathematics, the inquiry extended to the Cartesian plane (AC9M5SP02 & AC9M6SP01). Students imagined themselves dropped into Southwest Tasmania and used coordinates to map out essential survival locations—such as shelter spots and water sources.

Most recently, students have begun designing wilderness shelters, carefully considering weather, materials and safety. Soon, they’ll construct and test these shelters in a ‘wild’ outdoor setting—applying creativity and problem-solving in a hands-on challenge.

This inquiry will continue over the coming weeks as students deepen their understanding of survival, environmental challenges and the ways in which living things—humans included—adapt to thrive in volatile conditions.