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Albert Namatjira: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Albert Namatjira in which award-winning artist Vincent Namatjira tells the life story of his great-grandfather, Albert Namatjira, one of Australia’s best-known artists. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

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The Mark of the Wagarl: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Mark of the Wagarl. The book tells the story of Maadjit Walken, the Sacred Rainbow Serpent, mother spirit and creator of the Nyoongar Country of south west Western Australia. The story shares how a young boy receives the Maadjit Wagarl for his totem. This unit includes ...

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Sea Country: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Sea Country. In this picture book, Aunty Patsy Cameron shares the stories and traditions from her family’s seasonal life on Flinders Island in Tasmania. Find out when to pick ripe wild cherries, when the moon (mutton) birds fly home and how the nautilus shells smell ...

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The First Fleet

In this unit, students explore the many perspectives surrounding the significance of the 26th of January in Australia. They hear from Traditional Custodians about the laws, protocols and welcoming practices that existed for thousands of years before colonisation, and understand that these practices were not observed nor ...

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Tell Me Why: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Tell Me Why. Author Sarah Jackson shares her journey of self-discovery as she connects with her Aboriginal heritage. The text incorporates the Stolen Generation in a way that is relatable to younger audiences. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in ...

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The Sugarbag: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Sugarbag. The book explores themes of Aboriginal culture and customs, adventure and the activities of native bees and their ‘sugarbag’ honey. Some Wiradjuri language words are included. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

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Silly Birds: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Silly Birds. This is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional story that was previously handed down to children from their parents and elders to highlight behaviour and to teach the consequences of good and bad choices. This unit includes practical ideas for using ...

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Wandihnu and the Old Dugong: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Wandihnu and the Old Dugong. The book is a contemporary story about a young girl who has grown up in the city and who is to return to Badu Island to stay with her aka (grandmother). It is time for her to learn about the customs and culture of her people who come from ...

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Us Mob Walawurru: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Us Mob Walawurru. The book is set in the 1960s in an Aboriginal community in Central Australia and follows the life of a young Luritja girl. It explores the cultural challenges faced by both the community members and non-Indigenous people. The story touches on various ...

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Celebration and Satire

This lesson plan guides students to compare and contrast different perspectives of the French Revolution as depicted in two works of art. They will discuss the use of satire and caricature to comment on historical and current events and will create satirical cartoons based on contemporary issues.

Interactive

Perspectives on Kamay

This resource explores the perspectives of the Aboriginal people of Kamay Botany Bay and the men aboard the HMB Endeavour upon their meeting in 1770. It will also help students to understand the history of Australia's Aboriginal peoples and why their stories of the past are equally important to hear. Note to Aboriginal ...

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Spinifex Mouse: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Spinifex Mouse. Set in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, this is a story about the nature of a little mouse and the very important lesson that he learns. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

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Mirror: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support Mirror, a picture story book set in Morocco. It explores themes of family, identity, and cultural interactions. This unit provides practical teaching ideas, an assessment task and an essay by Robin Morrow.

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John Lewin: 'Reed warbler' 1805

Natural history illustrator John Lewin was the first professional artist to come to Australia as a free settler. His collected illustrations of native birds became the first non-government book published in the colony. How difficult do you think it was to identify and illustrate so many different birds?

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Ngurdungurdu: The Tiger Shark

The Tiger Shark travels from the east to his country at the mouth of the Wearyan River on the Gulf coast of the Northern Territory. On his way he encounters the Rock Wallaby, who drives him from her country. The Rrumburriya clan of the Yanyuma people are the custodians of the Tiger Shark Dreaming. This story from the Yanyuwa ...

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Manankurra Kujika: The song of the Tiger Shark

The Rrumburriya clan of the Yanyuma people are the custodians of the Tiger Shark Dreaming. In this animation, the Tiger Shark sings plants, fish, birds, fresh water and people at Manankurra, at the mouth of the Wearyan River on the Gulf coast of the Northern Territory. This story from the Yanyuwa people is one of nine that ...

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Dreaming about Country

Discover the rich and beautiful world of Edwin Lee Mulligan's dreams, recorded in paintings and stories. In this clip on his work 'Ngarlimbah - it's about us', he tells one of his dreams of Country - his country, his mother's country and his father's country - the places, trees, mountains, rivers and creatures that connect ...

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Conrad Martens: 'View from Rose Bank' 1840

Many early artists romanticised the Australian colonial landscape and did not always strictly paint what they saw. In this example Martens has given the landscape a decidedly Italian atmosphere, softening the colour palate and creating a more ‘civilised' view. Can you think of why the artist may be interested in changing ...

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Come and meet the instruments video

Come and meet the orchestra! The musicians are wearing 4 different colours to show which section they belong to. Can you name the 4 sections of the orchestra? What are the names of some of the instruments in each section?

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Eugene von Guérard: 'Purrumbete from across the lake' 1858

Lured to Australia by the discovery of gold, Eugene von Guérard was the lead painter in the first century of European settlement. This piece is one of a pair that was commissioned by land owners Peter and John Manifold. Von Guérard was known for his mastery of landscapes, and his attention to detail and interest in the ...