Care for Country

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

• communication
• creative thinking
• critical thinking
• 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, Sustainability

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - oversee class discussions and lead students in the brainstorming task and the independent poster/artwork activity.

UN SDG 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

• A range of photos of features and places in your local area, such as the shops, park, beach, your school - ensure you have at least one image of a natural feature at your school (e.g. the big tree at the back of the oval, or a garden, or a grassy area)
• Poster-making materials.

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.