Three students sit with two women, one of whom is dressed in traditional colourful clothing and another is dressed in a Zoos Victoria uniform

Cultures and Connection to Place F-2

Year levels

Foundation, Year 1, Year 2

Cost

See Plan Your Visit 

Availability

Monday to Friday (during school term)

Themes

Africa, Human Impact, Sustainability

Come take a walk in the shoes of a child in a rural African Village and learn about culture, daily life and the role of different people living in the village.

Program description

This program gives students the chance to learn about life for people in a rural village in Africa and how villagers live side-by-side with wildlife.  

This program explores how people are connected to their rural village and wildlife and how their needs are met. You'll reflect on similarities and difference between life in Australia and in a rural village in Africa.  Learn about daily life in a rural African village, the roles of different people in the village, how people are connected to special places and how it is possible to live in wildlife-friendly communities.   

  Students will learn: 

  • How people in rural Africa are connected to their village and wildlife  
  • How people in rural African villages take care of each other and their wildlife  
  • How life in Australia and in Africa are similar and different  
  • About how stories and song are important in African culture

Program sequence

Before your visit

Connect 

Use the activities in the Teaching Guide (below) to spark students’ curiosity before their zoo visit.

During your visit

Connect and Understand 

Students will participate in a range of activities that will enable them to learn about life in an African Village and gain an insight into village life and African culture. 

Your zoo visit will include: An introduction to the day (for arrivals between 9.45-10.00am), Zoo Teacher workshop (30 minutes), Safari Bus Tour (40 minutes) and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo. 

After your visit

Understand 

Use activities in the Teaching Guide to deepen students’ learning back at school. 

Act 

Use the Teaching Guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts. 

Program maps and itineraries

Your booking confirmation email will list your group's education workshop/s and safari bus tour time. Each workshop time has its own map and daily itinerary. Paper maps will be provided to you on the day.

Program resources

Learning outcomes

Victorian Curriculum F-2

Geography

Identify how people are connected to different places (VCGGC059) 

  • Hear stories from countries in Africa and learn about how people connect to their village and wildlife 

Reasons why some places are special and some places are important to people and how they can be looked after (VCGGK069) 

  • Through participating in a range of activities, students will learn about how the needs of the people in the village are met and how they are connected to the community and wildlife
Intercultural Capability

Identify what is familiar and what is different in the ways culturally diverse individuals and families live (VCICCB001) 

  • Students will have an opportunity to participate in village life activities and reflect on what is similar and what is different between life in Australia and life in an African Village

Plan your excursion 

This program is an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.  

School groups will enter Werribee Open Range Zoo via the Main Entrance. Organising teachers please check in with our Admissions team upon arrival. More information.  

Book your education experience

Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience

Request booking now

You will need to know the following to book your zoo excursion or online workshop:

  • Education program of your choice (if applicable)
  • Preferred date
  • School name and address
  • Contact details of organising teacher
  • Number of students/classes and their year level