Thursday, November 24, 2016

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 21st 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.

 


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

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