Explore the lessons produced with each community
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Students will engage with the Birrarung Multi-touch Book and specifically the Wurundjeri Interactive Map to explore significant places on Wurundjeri Country from pre-contact to today, researching native plants, traditional engineering, and cultural heritage. They will reflect on these insights and create poems, paintings, or stories showcasing their understanding of First Nations perspectives and connections to the land. This unit can be self-directed or taught as a class.
Students engage with the multi-touch book Birrarung and explore First Nations portraits to learn about Wurundjeri Ancestors and their role in shaping identity. They create a personal ancestry map or visual representation, reflecting on how their own Ancestors, wherever they are from, influence who they are today.
In this unit, students explore First Nations Creation stories, immersing themselves in the narratives that describe the origins of the land. They understand the profound influence of storytellers and the interconnectedness of storytelling, language, culture, and Country. Through the Birrarung multi-touch book, story mapping activities, and investigating the Yarra River Protection Act 2017, students develop an understanding of the significance of the Birrarung story in preserving cultural heritage and fostering a connection to Country.
Students engage with the Wamba Wamba multi-touch book and explore both Muyi Mir and Pondi stories. They gain an understanding of animal characteristics, habitats and behaviours. They research food chains, create artistic visual representations of the animals from the stories, and develop an appreciation for the cultural significance of native animals.
Students explore the cultural, environmental, and historical significance of trees. They research the critical roles trees play in maintaining biodiversity and carbon sequestration for a healthy environment as well as investigating the harmful effects of deforestation and its widespread repercussions.
Students investigate the Murray River’s geographical features and trace the impact of historical events on its health. They identify the challenges facing the river, deepening their understanding of its current state and sustainability concerns. This unit fosters environmental stewardship and advocates for honouring First Nations cultural connections.
Students explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sculptures and carvings. They gain insight into the history of Australia’s artefact collection practices in First Nations’ communities, including repatriation of sacred objects and ancestral remains. Be sure to explore the films and links in the Arts Discovery Map