ABC, easy as 1,2,3: Let's Get Teaching!

So what to do with all this information and new knowledge? Well if you're an educator, you're in luck, and if you're not.. you can teach your kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren or.. yourself.

My Classroom Activity

Stage 2: Year 3

Oh the abundance of learning activities and experience is bursting at the seams. I believe through my research and study of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people culture and their rich and beautiful culture; first hand experience and interaction is the best way to learn. Through building relationships students create lifelong memories and the real experience is more likely to shape their understanding of the world.

All this newfound knowledge completely relates to the NESA Curriculum:

Outcome: Describes and explains how significant individuals, groups and events contributed to changes in the local community over time HT2-2

Indicator: Respond to Aboriginal stories told about Country presented in texts or by a guest speaker.

(NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), 2016).

Activity: Organise an incursion with an Aboriginal workshop company, a community Elder or Aboriginal Person such as Jack Wilson to share knowledge, traditions and stories with the students allowing interaction, questions and experience with the content. After the experience, students will engage in a KLA integrated (Science and English) lesson and will be creating a group presentation to raise awareness of caring for Country and explain one strategy based on how they can improve their wellbeing or quality of life through nature and country. For example, taking up nature photography for mindfulness, weekly yarning circle with friends, growing your own vegetables at home - this also bonds with the cross-curricular priorities of sustainability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. The teacher may use this as formative assessment.

My Shared Experience

Jack Wilson (Aboriginal Ninja Warrior contestant) who is an incredible influence for young children, actively does workshops for students incorporating physical wellbeing in sports and touching on country and his personal growth and journey. After experiencing Jack's workshop at a placement, I was really humbled to see how beneficial the experience was for the students and amazed at how it made a difference to their lives as they began to practice what Jack had asked them (Meditating outside, physical activity, communication, appreciating Country and nature).

Photo Credit: Eloise Autard (2018)