1.3 Keeping our water clean

What we are learning

            To all parents and caregivers, this week during our HASS studies we will be investigating the effects of pollution in our environment. The Australian Curriculum  confirms that understanding how environmental systems interact with one another is a major goal of achieving sustainability. To do this in the classroom, we will be conducting an experiment. By experimenting with different forms of pollution (oil, rubbish and plastic) children will investigate ways that they can then remove this rubbish from the water. The class will record ideas and make suggestions as to how the pollution may be removed. After conducting the initial experiment, students’ will campaign against littering in our school yard.

Why we are learning?

            As we walk around the yard we can see rubbish thrown everywhere. For students to appreciate the effect that this rubbish can have on our waterways and environments, they will research the issue and discover solutions. Allowing students to explore environmental issues is intended to promote deep understanding. After the students’ are able to identify pollution and dropping rubbish as an issue, the class will devise strategies and ideas to improve littering in our school yard. Within the Australian Curriculum, students are asked to reflect critically and act creatively to consider more sustainable practices and ways of living. To minimise the amount of rubbish in the school yard, children are going to be using creative and innovative posters. The major goal of this learning is to minimise the litter in our yard and consider sustainable practices, creating a clean environment that our schooling community can be proud of.

How we are learning?

            Using the below link, students will be introduced to the topic of water pollution.

https://www.emaze.com/@ACWFTFQR/Water-Pollution  

            The tasks within this lesson sequence are intended to be authentic and meaningful. By conducting the initial pollution experiment and through campaigning for a clean school yard, children are learning about issues related to themselves. Authentic tasks integrate knowledge and are effective through project based lessons. Our project will consist of solutions and ideas that can be used within our school yard to create a clean environment.

Lesson structures and ideas

·      Introductory video

·      Pollution experiment

·      Suggestions and ideas to remove pollution from waterways

·      Signs demoting litter

·      Monitoring litter in the schoolyard (improvements)

Through this list of lessons, students’ will have the opportunity to make sense of the information and piece it together in a meaningful way. Seeing the effects of pollution in the experiment, creates a strong basis leading into our campaigning and demotion of litter across the school.

What can you do?

When out and about, holding your rubbish, or at large events, being a great role model for your children and throwing your rubbish in the bin can set a great example. Having plastic and reusable drink bottles, lunch boxes and containers will prevent the amount of rubbish being thrown around in our school yard and the wider community.

Celebrating Australia’s histories and people

What we are learning

            For thousands of years, Aboriginal people have lived within our great desert land. In these thousands of years, their culture has been learned and experienced by the European settlers. Learning about this culture is more than just art, music, dance and food. It includes notions of groups, patterns, decision making and problem solving as one community. This unit of learning intends to engage our students in Australia’s heritage and culture, to learn about and respect another culture to further engage in reconciliation. The learning will stress the importance of our heritage and explore our country thousands of years ago as well as now, in the 21^st century.

Why we are learning?

            When children enter the world, they are brought up in a particular culture. The Aboriginal people native to our land provide our nation with one of the longest living communities and cultures. This opportunity will allow children to form respect for one of the world’s oldest cultures. Through investigation and exploration of different topics, students’ will envision how Aboriginal people have lived off the land for so long.

            To promote reconciliation, appreciation and respect for diversity, students will investigate Aboriginal peoples way of living, their ability to live off the land and other traits that allow them to be one of the world's longest living cultural groups. This learning will promote and enrich current understandings about Australia and its histories. Building this knowledge is intended to assist in the notion of living together in peace.  

How we are learning?

            Linking geography, with the cross curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torrens Strait Islander histories and cultures, creates the basis of this lesson sequence.

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/aboriginaleducation/apac/detcms/aboriginal-education/apac/lesson-plans/society-and-the-environment.en?cat-id=9192344

 

Using the above resource the class will explore the seasons depicted by the Noongar people. This task will acknowledge the differences of season between cultures and unpack our traditional seasons of summer, autumn, winter and spring. Whilst unpacking the four seasons, students’ will consider the social norms of modern society, the physical environment as well traditional notions of the seasons. Students’ will compare their own thoughts of our seasons to the seasons of the Noongar people. The seasons outlined by the Noongar people discuss the land, what is available to live off as well as tasks specific to the season.

The seasons of Stawell:

In summer we… go to the lake with families and friends.  

In winter we…. rug up with beanies and scarves to watch country footy.

In spring we… watch the newly born lambs wander in the paddock.

In autumn we… watch the leaves change colour and fall.

What can you do?

            Open yourself up to a new world and culture. Complete the above task for yourself and consider the differences or similarities within the two cultures. Explore the following resource to familiarise yourself with Aboriginal peoples culture and ways of living.  Consider the confrontation from the European settlers and how this impacted the Aboriginal peoples cultures.

http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sorry-day-stolen-generations