Year 3

English

Understand that languages have different written and visual communication systems, different oral traditions and different ways of constructing meaning (ACELA1475)

  • Learn that a word or sign can carry different weight in different cultural contexts, for example that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages show respect to some people and creatures through particular words and that stories can be passed on to teach us how to live appropriately.

Humanities and Social Sciences – History

The importance of Country and Place to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who belong to a local area. (This is intended to be a local area study with a focus on one Language group; however, if information or sources are not readily available, another representative area may be studied) (ACHASSK062)

  • Using the map as a guide to research the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language/s of your local area.

  • Connect with local families, communities and elders to talk about the local language situation and explain the relationship between language, country, place and spirituality.

  • Consider the ways you as an individual or a school community could support the revival of the Indigenous language/s in your school community.

How the community has changed and remained the same over time and the role that people of diverse backgrounds have played in the development and character of the local community   (ACHASSK063)

  • Talk to local families and community, use sites, museums and online collections (for the local area or state/territory) to identify the local Indigenous language groups within the local community and their influence over time (for example as reflected in names of places, where townships have been built etc).

  • Understand how shared history in your community continues to impact on peoples lives today. For example the loss of language for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Humanities and Social Sciences-Geography

The representation of Australia as states and territories and as Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; and major places in Australia, both natural and human (ACHASSK066)

  • Describe and discuss how the boundaries between Aboriginal Countries and Language groupings are very different to the surveyed boundaries between Australian states and territories to gain an appreciation about the different ways Australia can be represented.

The similarities and differences between places in terms of their type of settlement, demographic characteristics and the lives of the people who live there, and people’s perceptions of these places (ACHASSK069)

  • Read and view poems, songs, paintings and stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s feelings about and attachment to places and languages to explore the factors that influence people’s attachment to place and language.

  • Discuss why it is important to protect languages and places that have special significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for example, a wetland, a sacred site, a national park or a World Heritage site or a threatened language.

  • Work with local people to find out about special significant places in your local area. Learn language names for these places where available and appropriate.

  • Ask students to research and reflect on their family connections and cultural and linguistic heritage of their extended family members.

  • Explore the importance of cultural and linguistic identity, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and groups as the traditional custodians of this country locally as well as regionally and at a national leave.

Humanities and Social Sciences - Civics and Citizenship

Why people participate within communities and how students can actively participate and contribute (ACHASSK072)

  • Share ways students in the class participate in different communities and groups.

  • Research local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and language groups to find out about they have contributed and participated in the local area.

Science

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE051)

  • Invite local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their knowledge and expertise about the local environment e.g. plants and animals and the language names (where available and appropriate) for these.

Represent and communicate ideas and findings in a variety of ways such as diagrams, physical representations and simple reports (ACSIS060)

  • Find out about ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent and communicate ideas in a variety of languages e.g. sign language, painting, rock art, sand drawing, bark paintings as well as on canvas and through stories.