Year 5

English

Understand that the pronunciation, spelling and meanings of words have histories and change over time (ACELA1500)

  • Explore the variety of particular words from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in which pronunciation, writing and meaning has changed over time:

  • Traditional language words such as Coolabah (from gulabaa);

  • New varieties of English spoken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that have adapted the meaning of English words such as country (home, land) and deadly (fantastic, awesome)

  • Recognise that knowledge about these word origins is not only interesting but also builds on students vocabulary and spelling skills as well as a deeper understanding of our shared history.

Identify aspects of literary texts that convey details or information about particular social, cultural and historical contexts (ACELT1608)

  • Identify variability within cultural and linguistic contexts in literary texts and recognise the diversity of people’s experiences within a cultural group such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and language groups across Australia and the differences in setting and lifestyle between urban and remote.

  • Share a variety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander texts in different languages and recognise the similarities and differences between groups.

Recognise that ideas in literary texts can be conveyed from different viewpoints, which can lead to different kinds of interpretations and responses (ACELT1610)

  • Listen to the narrative voice in texts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and languages, which include perspectives of animals and spirits, about how we should care for the Earth, for example reflecting on how this affects significance, interpretation and response.

Humanities and Social Sciences – History

The nature of convict or colonial presence, including the factors that influenced patterns of development, aspects of the daily life of the inhabitants (including Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples) and how the environment changed (ACHASSK107)

  • Use the Australian languages map to reflect and make inferences on the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples languages, cultures and daily life in the past.

  • Research and reflect on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their languages were affected by convict and colonial presence throughout history. For example impact of disease, the forced removal of people from their homes into large missions and communities with many other different language groups thrown together who could not communicate.

Humanities and Social Sciences- Geography

The influence of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places (ACHASSK112)

  • Research and identify how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and particular languages groups altered the environment through their methods of land and resource management. For example fire stick farming used in East Arnhem Land.

The influence of people on the environmental characteristics of places in Europe and North America and the location of their major countries in relation to Australia (ACHASSK111)

  • Find out how to conduct ethical research with people and communities, including the protocols for consultation with local Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander communities and language groups including the use of appropriate language.

  • Be aware of language differences in your local community (traditional languages as well as new languages varieties such as creoles and dialects of English)

Humanities and Social Sciences- Economics and Business 

Types of resources (natural, human, capital) and the ways societies use them to satisfy the needs and wants of present and future generations (ACHASSK120)

  • Explore how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ use of resources reflects their spiritual connections to the land, sea, sky and waterways and how these connections contribute to resource use.

  • Reflect on how these understandings are inextricably linked to language and culture and consider the economics of Indigenous languages. For example in terms of maintaining cultural connections and identity, cultural tourism, creating employment for Indigenous Australians, for overall health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander peoples.

Humanities and Social Sciences- Civics and Citizenship

Why regulations and laws are enforced and the personnel involved (ACHASSK117)

  • Research and reflect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and languages groups experience of Australian Law. For example consider the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody including recommendation that came out of this report.

  • Invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, lawyers, linguistics and other experts to share their experiences with Australian law and their own cultural lore including the challenges that come with language and cultural differences.

Science

Important contributions to the advancement of science have been made by people from a range of cultures (ACSHE082)

  • Learn about the range of scientific aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages that continue to contribute to the field of science. For example the use of observation of the night sky to assist with navigation.

  • Learn about individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their contributions to the field of science. For example Ngarrindjeri man, David Uniopan, an inventor and writer who studied aerodynamics and invented the a mechanical sheep shearing handpiece, Bruce Pacoe’s research on the agricultural and technological sophistication of Aboriginal Australians before contact.

Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE217)

  • Consider the knowledges and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures and what they can teach us about made to grow particular plants and crops to suit diverse environmental conditions across Australia.