Introduction
Learning Sequence:
References

A Stage 3 Integrated Unit

The teaching and learning activities in this unit will enable students to develop a greater understanding of Aboriginal people and the importance of their traditional way of life. It highlights the complexity of traditional Aboriginal communities, their management of the environment and the importance of the development and use of a range of technologies. It will also allow students to look at Aboriginal people�s application of the sciences within contemporary communities.

The learning sequences have been developed with an integrated approach, emphasising Science and Technology. The unit incorporates most key learning areas and teachers are encouraged to further develop the unit to suit the needs of their students.

An individual research project is included to encourage students to identify and research a significant Aboriginal person or community and their contribution to contemporary Australia.

Each learning sequence focuses on a different aspect of Aboriginal technology. Each sequence recommends use of a text from the series Aboriginal Technology as a stimulus, but it is not essential; other available texts and visuals could be substituted.

Key Resources:

Alex Barlow (1994) Aboriginal Technology: Fibrecraft

Alex Barlow (1994) Aboriginal Technology: Housing

Alex Barlow (1994) Aboriginal Technology: The Spear

Alex Barlow (1994) Aboriginal Technology: Trade

Alex Barlow (1994) Aboriginal Technology: Watercraft

Alex Barlow (1994) Aboriginal Technology: Women�s Technology

Publisher: Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd (1994).

Reference:

Working with Aboriginal Communities: A Guide to Community Consultation and Protocols, 2000, Board of Studies NSW.

We gratefully acknowledge

• the Australian Museum for making available images from the Thomas Dick Collection
• the Powerhouse Museum for images from the Bayagul Exhibition
• Walhallow Public School for photographs of community artefacts.

Outcomes

Outcomes being addressed in this unit:

Talking and Listening

TS3.1 Communicates effectively for a range of purposes and with a variety of audiences to express well-developed, well-organised ideas dealing with more challenging topics.

TS3.2 Interacts productively and with autonomy in pairs and groups of various sizes and composition, uses effective oral presentation skills and strategies and listens attentively.

Reading

RS3.5 Reads independently an extensive range of texts with increasing content demands and responds to themes and issues.

RS3.6 Uses a comprehensive range of skills and strategies appropriate to the type of text being read.

Writing

WS3.9 Produces a wide range of well‑structured and well‑presented literary and factual texts for a wide variety of purposes and audiences using increasingly challenging topics, ideas, issues and written language features.

WS3.12 Produces texts in a fluent and legible style and uses computer technology to present these effectively in a variety of ways.

Measurement

M3.7 Uses 24 hour time and am and pm notation to read, construct and interpret timetables and timelines in real-life situations.

Cultures – Identities
CUS3.2 Describes different cultural influences and their contribution to Australian identities.

Cultures – Cultural Diversity
CUS3.4 Examines how cultures change through interactions with other cultures and the environment.

Environments – Relationships with Places
ENS3.6 Explains how various beliefs and practices influence the ways in which people interact with, change and value their environment.

Social Systems and Structure – Resource systems
SSS3.7 Describes how Australian people, systems and communities are globally interconnected and recognises global responsibilities, cultural influences and their contribution to Australian identities.

Built Environments
BES3.1 Creates and evaluates built environments demonstrating consideration of sustainability and aesthetic, cultural, safety and functional issues.

Living Things
LTS3.3 Identifies, describes and evaluates the interactions between living things and their effects on the environment.

Products and Services
PSS3.5 Creates and evaluates products and services, demonstrating consideration of sustainability, aesthetic, cultural, safety and functional issues.

Investigating
INVS3.7 Conducts their own investigations and makes judgements based on the results of observing, questioning, planning, predicting, testing, collecting, recording and analysing data, and drawing conclusions.

Designing and Making
DMS3.8 Develops and resolves a design task by planning, implementing, managing and evaluating design processes.

Using Technology
UTS3.9 Evaluates, selects and uses a range of equipment, computer-based technology, materials and other resources to meet the requirements and constraints of investigation and design tasks.

Visual Arts – Making
VAS3.1 Investigates subject matter in an attempt to represent likenesses of things in the world.

VAS3.2 Makes artworks for different audiences, assembling materials in a variety of ways.

Drama
DRAS3.2 Interprets and conveys dramatic meaning by using the elements of drama and a range of movement and voice skills in a variety of drama forms.

continue on to learning sequence 1