Acknowledging Country

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• creative thinking
• communication
• community engagement
• cultural understanding
• ethical understanding
• intercultural understanding

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description:

F-2, Geography

Students learn:

• the importance of Country/Place to First Nations Australians and the Country/Place on which the school is located (AC9HSFK04)
• how places change and how they can be cared for by different groups, including First Nations Australians (AC9HS1K04)
• about the interconnections of First Nations Australians to a local Country/Place (AC9HS2K04).

Relevant parts of Foundation Year achievement standards: Students recognise the features of familiar places, why some places are special to people and the ways they can care for them.

Relevant parts of Year 1 achievement standards: Students identify the location and nature of the natural, managed and constructed features of local places, the ways places change, and how they can be cared for by people.

Relevant parts of Year 2 achievement standards: Students identify how people and places are interconnected both at local and broader scales.

General capabilities: Intercultural Understanding

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - Engage students in class discussions and oversee students in creating their artworks. In addition, support students recite theirAcknowledgement of Country.

UN SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries 

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

• Art materials
• Optional - device to share a video.

This is an original Cool+ lesson.

Beginning to Include First Nations Peoples' Perspectives in Your Classroom (45 Minutes)

Quick summary: This course aims to inform and upskill educators in incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples perspectives. The course emphasises the importance of connecting with personal motivations, overcoming biases, and incorporating diverse perspectives while being inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples languages and cultures. Additionally, it provides guidance on terms of reference, protocols, and strategies for inclusivity, fostering an inclusive and accepting educational environment and curriculum design.