Our Earth’s Magic Materials

Learning Areas

History | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures | Sustainability

In this unit

Students understand the properties, uses, and impact of everyday materials. They investigate the Cultural, Environmental and Social impacts of mining in Australia.

This unit includes:

Video

Cultural Protocols

Teacher Resource

Unit

Learning Areas

Science

AC9S4U04

Examine the properties of natural and made materials including fibres, metals, glass and plastics and consider how these properties influence their use

AC9S4I01

Pose questions to explore observed patterns and relationships and make predictions based on observations

AC9S4I03

Follow procedures to make and record observations, including making formal measurements using familiar scaled instruments and using digital tools as appropriate

AC9S4I04

Construct and use representations, including tables, simple column graphs and visual or physical models, to organise data and information, show simple relationships and identify patterns

HASS (Geography)

English

AC9E4LY06

Plan, create, edit and publish written and multimodal imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, using visual features, relevant linked ideas, complex sentences, appropriate tense, synonyms and antonyms, correct spelling of multisyllabic words and simple punctuation

AC9E4LY07

Plan, create, rehearse and deliver structured oral and/or multimodal presentations to report on a topic, tell a story, recount events or present an argument using subjective and objective language, complex sentences, visual features, tone, pace, pitch and volume

Cross Curriculum Priorities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Country/Place

Culture

A_TSIC1

First Nations Australian societies are diverse and have distinct cultural expressions such as language, customs and beliefs. As First Nations Peoples of Australia, they have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural expressions, while also maintaining the right to control, protect and develop culture as Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

A_TSIC2

First Nations Australians’ ways of life reflect unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing.

People

A_TSIP1

Australia has 2 distinct First Nations Peoples; each encompasses a diversity of nations across Australia. Aboriginal Peoples are the first peoples of Australia and have occupied the Australian continent for more than 60,000 years. Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the First Nations Peoples of the Torres Strait and have occupied the region for over 4,000 years.

A_TSIP3

The significant and ongoing contributions of First Nations Australians and their histories and cultures are acknowledged locally, nationally and globally.

Sustainability

Worldview

Design

Echoes on Country: Oodgeroo Noonuccal

Year levels: 9 4 lessons

Students explore stories, poetry, and contemporary art by the Quandamooka peoples and other First Nations’ communities. They gain profound insights into the histories, experiences and perspectives of First Nations peoples and the power of art in contributing to the political discourse and amplifying marginalised voices.

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Dimboona and the Wail Rock

Year levels: 1 4 lessons

Students explore narrative through the Wail Rock Creation story. They unpack the elements of stories and recognise that stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.

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Buangans (Dolphins)

Year levels: 5 5 lessons

Students learn about the special relationship between dolphins and the Quandamooka peoples. They investigate symbiotic relationships, echolocation and electric reception. They gain insight into the impact of colonisation on ecosystems in Australia.

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Sustainable Living