Kiribati Year 6 invasive species AWARE

This series of lesson plans and activities was developed in support of the Year 6 Kiribati Science curriculum for the modules on invasive species and pests. The lessons focus on the impact of invasive animals and plants. There are 5 lessons in this series and they contain lesson plans, Powerpoint presentations and resources for the classroom. 

At the end of this series of lessons, students will learn about the common invasive plants and animals in the Pacific that cause problems to people, agriculture and the natural environment.

The students also learn where these invasive plants and animals came from and how they have traveled through the Pacific. Using this knowledge, the students will be encouraged to think of ways to identify ways to help prevent these invasive plants and animals from entering their country and effective management of those that are already present.

The activities involve scientific observation, communication and thinking skills.

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How to deliver the lessons

The theme is centered around basic information for 5 different types of invasive / pest plants and animals as outlined in to the Kiribati Year 6 Science Curriculum. 

The 5 lessons are supported with a thematic teacher’s guide. Each lesson is 45 minutes long and includes lesson plans, student workbooks, PowerPoint slides and activities.

Where technology is limited the printed teachers guide can be used in a 'show and tell' fashion, along with printed resources.

Lesson topics: Invasive ants : Taro beetles : Invasive plants and weeds : Rats : Cats and dogs

Please read the teacher's guide before the lessons. The resources listed below are to be used together with the lesson plans in the guide.

A zipped version of the resources in PDF format is also available for single download.

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Invasive species and pests Lesson 1: Invasive ants

In this lesson, students will be able to learn about invasive ants and their impact on Kiribati. At the end of the lesson, students will able to:

• Understand what an invasive species is.
• Identify an ant as a living thing.
• Understand that not all ants are invasive.
• List some problems invasive ants can cause.
• Know some ways to prevent invasive ant problems.
• Know some ways to control invasive ant problems.

Lesson 1 : Student Workbook : PowerPoint presentation : Resources

Invasive species and pests Lesson 2: Taro beetles

In this lesson, students will be able to learn about taro beetles and their impact on Kiribati. At the end of the lesson, students will able to:

• Learn the characteristics of the taro beetle.
• Learn the origins of the taro beetle.
• Understand the problems taro beetle can cause for agriculture and people.
• Learn about ways to stop the taro beetle from spreading in Kiribati.

Lesson 2 : Student Workbook : PowerPoint presentation : Resources

Invasive species and pests Lesson 3: Invasive plants and weeds

In this lesson, students will be able to learn about invasive plants and weeds and their impact on Kiribati. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Learn what invasive plants are, and the difference between invasive plants and weeds.
• Learn about 4 common invasive plants in Kiribati.
• Learn where the invasive plants came from and how they arrived in our country.

Understand the problems invasive plants cause to our people, our agriculture and our natural environment

Lesson 3 : Student Workbook : PowerPoint presentation

Invasive species and pests Lesson 4: Rats

In this lesson, students will be able to learn about rats and their impact on Kiribati. At the end of the lesson, students will able to:

• Learn the characteristics of different types (species) of rats.
• Learn the origins of the rat species.
• Understand the negative impacts of rats on agriculture and people.
• Learn about ways to manage rats.

Lesson 4 : Student Workbook : PowerPoint presentation : Integrated Pest Management Fact sheet

Invasive species and pests Lesson 5: Cats and dogs

In this lesson, students will be able to learn about cats and dogs and their impact on Kiribati. At the end of the lesson, students will able to:

• Understand the term free-ranging.
• Understand the problems these animals can cause to wildlife and people’s health and safety.
• Learn about ways to manage free-ranging cats and dogs.

Lesson 5 : Student Workbook : PowerPoint presentation 

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Information sources

Information sources are listed in each of the lesson plans.

Thank you to Souad Boudjelas of Pacific Invasives Initiative for collating information on invasive plants, myna birds, taro beetle and cats and dogs.