Aboriginal Studies across the Curriculum Year 6 activities

Student Activities

Year 6

	Theme 1 - Sharing the Environment
	Theme 2 - Water Resources
	Theme 3 - Communities

Sharing the Environment

Aims

	Students will come to an understanding that the environment and Aboriginal people are inter-related.
	Students will come to an understanding of the relationship Aboriginal people have with the land and its effect on their lifestyle.

Social Studies Students are set a project to highlight the many uses of trees by Aboriginal people. This may be completed with the co-operationof the Librarian who will display research material from which students may make a selection. Discuss how Aboriginal people cared for the land in comparison to non-Aboriginal people. Use examples of mining, farming, pastoralists and city builder. Is this changing today.	Religious Education Focus - God the Creator The Father created the Earth for us to take care of. He created it for all people to share and to live in harmony. Discuss similarities of creation according to the Bible and Aboriginal Dreaming.	Library Projects may be displayed in the Library for all students and aprents to read.
Art Craft Construct a mural depicting a place of significance to Aboriginal people. Use materials found in the local environment. Aboriginal community members will show you places suitable for this activity.	Language By utilising existing resource materials from language and cultural centre, children can make up their own dictionaries of Aboriginal words. Games and puzzles can be made by using familiar Aboriginal words. Students may use Aboriginal words of the area and name plants that grow locally.	Science Discuss how Aboriginal people use the burn back method to ensure new growth to replenish food supplies in the bush. Invite a land care officer to explain how back burning works.
Health Education Recognising plants that are poisonous. What are the effects of this on the body. Use a diagram or picture of the body using Aboriginal and English words. Compare bush foods with processed foos and discuss the five food groups.	Music/ Music Appreciation Play songs by Aboriginal people which have significance to th environment eg Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Goanna, Midnight Oil	Maths Aboriginal people know the time of day by listening to bird sounds, watching the shadows and following the path of the sun. Aboriginal people know the time of the year by temperature, plant life, animal movements and environment factors. Calendars and clocks are not needed. Back to Top

Water

Aims

	Students will gain an understanding of the conservation methods and usage of water by Aboriginal people.
	To assist students to understand that Aboriginal people relied on the waterways of Australia for some of their food supplies.

Social Studies Take students on an excursion to an area where Aboriginal people camped eg by a river, lake or seaside. Discuss the importance of water for food, recreation, tool making. Students to compare project on how Aboriginal people found and carried water (as they were nomadic). Compare this method with today's lifestyle. Discuss evidence of Aboriginal occupation at Willandra Lakes in Victoria.	Language Write a story on the importance of water and the effects it had/has on Aboriginal lifestyles, either in the past or the present. Research - Discover local waterways (rivers/lakes). Find out if it has an Aboriginal name and its meaning. Ascertain if their are any stories or legends connected to it. Write the story. Consult with local Aboriginal elders about this activity.	Library Display maths and art/craft work for other students and parents to see. Display fish traps constructed by students.
Art /Craft Use maps and photographs to make Paper Mache models of the Swan River before and after settlement. This graphically displays differences over the years after settlement.	Religious Education Religious Art for Aboriginal people is a way of praying. It is created for a particular ceremony or ritual. Compare Western Religious art with pieces produced by Aboriginal people. Remember that many symbols and designs are secret/sacred and are not shared with Aboriginal women and unitiated youths. Designs and symbols belonging to Aboriginal women are not shared with the men.	Science Students research the methods used by Aboriginal people for gathering food in the water eg fish traps, spears, etc. Design a fish trap.
Health Education Discuss how Aboriginal people would have used water in the past to clean eh sharing of water for bathing, cleaning, food.	Literature Use "People of the Lakes" to show students how people lived in Australia 40,000 years ago, and how they were dependent on the lake for their survival.	Maths Students choose a river/lake and draw to a scale of 100 to 1. This could then be used in Social Studies work.

Communities

Aims

Students will gain an understanding of the Aboriginal community's functions and structures in decision making : laws and ceremonies

Social StudiesStudents to conduct research on the number of Aboriginal communities in WA. Students to carry out survey on number of Aboriginal organisations, Government, Commonwealth/State agencies dealing in Aboriginal affairs eg Aboriginal Legal Service Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Housing Association Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isalnder Council (ATSIC)	Language Discuss relationships in community structures. Discuss and write specfic duties that are attached to the roles of individuals in a group. Discuss roles/duties of Aboriginal organisations. Discuss differences betweem Aboriginal community structure and the students family/school structure.	Library Display photos, posters and books depicting various Aboriginal communities over the last forty years.
Art/Craft. Invite an Aboriginal artist to compare different art forms classified by area eg Western Desert, Arnhem Land, Kimberley, Pilbara, South West of WA; which depict community structures and relationships.	Religious Education Neighbouring Aboriginal communities come together for burials, marraige ceremonies and initiation celebrations. Discuss the significance of attending funerals.	Science Select a piece of land in the school yard and get students to count and identify animals, birds, plants and astudy how they fit into the whole environment.
Health Education Invite an Aboriginal speaker to talk on issues affecting Aboriginals eg health, sports, drugs, kinship responsibilities.	Music Research the different events where Aboriginal people come together to celebrate their love of music, eg "Stompin' Ground" Listen to and view tapes and videos.	Resources The First Australians - Simpson The Last of his Tribe - Kendall Collection of Poems. The Quinkins - D. Roughsey A Children's History of Australia Yirritiju - The Way of the Desert People. (Video) Beagle Bay Community - Depicting Australian Aborigines; Community, Faith

Taken from Aboriginal Education Booklet
Published by the Catholic Education Office, Perth, Western Australia

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