NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Primary schools

More topics in this section

Our range of resources for primary schools vary from short activities to units of work for deeper understanding and a more thorough investigation. Click on the headings below to explore what we have available.

Note: Some of the resources appear in multiple lists below - it appears repetitive but many of our resources are mapped to multiple syllabuses and include activities for multiple stages, listing them in multiple lists allows you to find resources using different search terms.

Short activities

  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - infants - a set of cards to help younger students learn basic vocabulary of agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to help students develop automaticity
  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - primary - a set of cards to help student learn basic facts about  agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to assist students recall important facts
  • Bee Amazing - a maze for students to guide bees away from threats and toward the resources they need to sustain the colony and produce honey
  • People in Primary Industries careers cards and activities - a set of career card featuring Lego characters, the activities help students to understand the many people involved food and fibre production in Australia
  • School Biosecurity Surveillance Activity - get your students involved in some citizen science while they learn about some of NSW’s target invasive pests. With this quick activity you will deliver a hands-on activity in your school grounds that contributes to the important biosecurity surveillance of NSW and help biosecurity staff monitor the state for some of the pests of greatest concern in NSW right now
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries
  • National Soils Action Plan resources - children's book with student activity sheets and shorts videos aimed at developing young student's understanding of soils

Units of work

  • AgPatch: growing literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • Investigate - this series of units began as a competition to assist schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about biosecurity threats to NSW - later topics did not include the competition component. All topics remain relevant to current syllabuses and NSW biosecurity and encourage students to take part in citizen science activities to help NSW primary industries withstand these threats. Topics include:
  • Shark Smart - The NSW Shark Management Strategy (SMS) was a great real-world example of working scientifically to design and produce solutions to a problem. A set of workbooks helps student understand this authentic science and technology learning of the program.
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.

Activities for young students

  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - infants - a set of cards to help younger students learn basic vocabulary of agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to help students develop automaticity
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries
  • AgPatch: growing literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • National Soils Action Plan resources - children's book with student activity sheets and shorts videos aimed at developing young student's understanding of soils
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.

List by syllabus

Science and Technology
Stage 3
  • Agpatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • Investigate - this series of units began as a competition to assist schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about biosecurity threats to NSW - later topics did not include the competition component. All topics remain relevant to current syllabuses and NSW biosecurity and encourage students to take part in citizen science activities to help NSW primary industries withstand these threats. Topics include:
  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - primary - a short activity using a set of cards to help student learn basic facts about  agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to assist students recall important facts
  • Belgenny Creamery Education Resources -
  • People in Primary Industries careers cards and activities - a set of career card featuring Lego characters, the activities help students to understand the many people involved food and fibre production in Australia
  • Shark Smart - The NSW Shark Management Strategy (SMS) was a great real-world example of working scientifically to design and produce solutions to a problem. A set of workbooks helps student understand this authentic science and technology learning of the program.
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
Stage 2
  • Agpatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - primary - a short activity using a set of cards to help student learn basic facts about  agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to assist students recall important facts
  • People in Primary Industries careers cards and activities - a set of career card featuring Lego characters, the activities help students to understand the many people involved food and fibre production in Australia
  • Shark Smart - The NSW Shark Management Strategy (SMS) was a great real-world example of working scientifically to design and produce solutions to a problem. A set of workbooks helps student understand this authentic science and technology learning of the program.
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
Stage 1
  • Agpatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resources teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - primary - a short activity using a set of cards to help student learn basic facts about  agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to assist students recall important facts
  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - infants - a set of cards to help younger students learn basic vocabulary of agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to help students develop automaticity
  • Bee Amazing - a maze for students to guide bees away from threats and toward the resources they need to sustain the colony and produce honey
  • People in Primary Industries careers cards and activities - a set of career card featuring Lego characters, the activities help students to understand the many people involved food and fibre production in Australia
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
Early stage 1
  • Agpatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • Agricultural Vocabulary loop card game - infants - a short activity using a set of cards to help younger students learn basic vocabulary of agriculture, print them out and use them regularly to help students develop automaticity
  • Bee Amazing - a maze for students to guide bees away from threats and toward the resources they need to sustain the colony and produce honey
  • People in Primary Industries careers cards and activities - a set of career card featuring Lego characters, the activities help students to understand the many people involved food and fibre production in Australia
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
Geography
Stage 3
  • Investigate - this series of units began as a competition to assist schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about biosecurity threats to NSW - later topics did not include the competition component. All topics remain relevant to current syllabuses and NSW biosecurity and encourage students to take part in citizen science activities to help NSW primary industries withstand these threats. Topics include:
  • People in Primary Industries careers cards and activities - a set of career card featuring Lego characters, the activities help students to understand the many people involved food and fibre production in Australia
  • Shark Smart - The NSW Shark Management Strategy (SMS) was a great real-world example of working scientifically to design and produce solutions to a problem. A set of workbooks helps student understand this authentic science and technology learning of the program.
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
Stage 2 to Early stage 1
  • People in Primary Industries careers cards and activities - a set of career card featuring Lego characters, the activities help students to understand the many people involved food and fibre production in Australia
  • Shark Smart - The NSW Shark Management Strategy (SMS) was a great real-world example of working scientifically to design and produce solutions to a problem. A set of workbooks helps student understand this authentic science and technology learning of the program.
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries including beef, dairy, eggs, honey, wool.
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
History
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
PDHPE
  • Agpatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • Shark Smart - The NSW Shark Management Strategy (SMS) was a great real-world example of working scientifically to design and produce solutions to a problem. A set of workbooks helps student understand this authentic science and technology learning of the program.

List by primary industry sector

Dairy
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities aimed at younger students designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian  agricultural industries - for dairy production check out Freda.
Beef
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities aimed at younger students designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries - for beef production check out  Bosley and Bruce.
Sheep / Wool
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities aimed at younger students designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries - for dairy production check out Barbara and Jack and Dunedoo.
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
Horticulture
  • Investigate: Aphids - a unit of work to guide schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about one of the biosecurity threats to NSW horticulture
  • Agpatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
Grains
  • Investigate: Aphids - a unit of work to guide schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about one of the biosecurity threats to NSW horticulture
  • Agpatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
Bees
  • Investigate: Bees - a unit of work to guide schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about one of the valuable assets to NSW agriculture
  • Investigate : Varroa mite - a PowerPoint presentation and student activity booklet to examine the 2022 Varroa  mite incursion, the response and move the management of the pest in Australia. Answer guide included.
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities aimed at younger students designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for by Australian agricultural industries - for honey production check out Beatrice.
Poultry
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities aimed at younger students designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries - for egg production check out Charlotte.
Horse breeding
  • Tocal Virtual Farm - a fully resourced online representation of the Tocal farms. Utilising online mapping platforms, 360o videos, teacher guidance and student workbooks, the Tocal Virtual Farm allows you to explore food and fibre production in an Australian context from the convenience of your classroom. Drop in for a quick look or make use of the entire suite of resources.
  • Tocal Farm Picture Books - short activities aimed at younger students designed to accompany the Tocal farm picture books and help students to understand how animals are cared for in Australian agricultural industries - for horse breeding check out Sunny and Ruby.
Biosecurity
  • Investigate - this series of units began as a competition to assist schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about biosecurity threats to NSW - later topics did not include the competition component. All topics remain relevant to current syllabuses and NSW biosecurity and encourage students to take part in citizen science activities to help NSW primary industries withstand these threats. Topics include:
Soils
  • Investigate: Soils - a unit of work to guide schools in delivering hands-on engaging learning about one of the valuable assets to NSW agriculture
  • AgPatch: Growing Literacy - based on a set of posters (included in the download) this resource teaches students about growing food on plants and includes background information for teachers, hands-on activities and student workbooks
  • National Soils Action Plan resources - children's book with student activity sheets and shorts videos aimed at developing young student's understanding of soils
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au