Hi all, welcome to room 13's learning log. This site has been established to provide a log of the learning experiences that occur in the classroom and as another communication tool between home and school.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Uno's Garden

Today we were exploring the key themes found within Uno's Garden:
The students then worked in groups to further dissect a few of the the above themes and look at current examples, explaining the theme further and discussing why this is an important issue.

Uno's Garden


Uno’s Garden, By Graeme Base will provide the foundation for our Term Two unit of work

Overview / Storyline

Uno arrives in the forest on a beautiful day at the very beginning of spring and is greeted by a myriad of beautiful, lush plants and the most fantastic creatures he has ever seen. He likes it so much that he decides to stay there.

Uno's decision spells doom for the plants and the creatures of the forest, including the only completely ordinary Snortlepig.

But Uno is wise and sees the future of his children and their children if someone does not act to stem the consequences of civilisation. So he starts a special garden that does not have the vegetables and flowers of other gardens, but allows his children and grandchildren to have hope for their future.


Uno's Garden is a rich story that delivers a powerful message through both its words and pictures. The diversity and detail of the illustrations tells a complex story that provides an excellent starting point for children to start considering their impact on their environment and how this can be positive.

Learning Intentions

Student will understand that:

  • The living world is a large and beautiful thing with diverse climates and habitats, flora and fauna.
  • Every living thing has a right to have its needs respected and protected.
  • All living things depend on the environment around them for survival.
  • All living things are interconnected and interdependent, and the balance can be delicate.
  • Humans are ultimately responsible for the state of the environment and its protection for the future.
  • Environments change over time and these changes can be caused by nature or humans.
  • Changes, whether natural or artificial, can affect whole systems and the environment both for better and for worse.
  • The environment can affect how we live and the things we do.
  • Many spaces and species are threatened because of human impact on the environment.
  • We all need to respect and take responsibility for the places in our community.
  • We have a responsibility to care for and protect our environment for the future.
  • Our beliefs and actions are intertwined with the society and culture in which we live.
  • Different groups may have differing beliefs and values about the environment, which may cause conflict between these groups.
  • Our natural resources, like water and clean air, are precious.
  • There are international agencies that promote environmental protection.
  • I can have both a positive and negative impact on the environment.
  • Through knowledge and understanding, I can make responsible choices to meet my needs and still promote the protection of the environment.
  • The beliefs I have and the actions I take can influence others.
  • I may only be one child but I can make a difference.