Resilient Australia - Are Bushfires Getting Worse Over Time?

Australian Curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 5 Mathematics:

• Construct displays, including column graphs, dot plots and tables, appropriate for data type, with and without the use of digital technologies (ACMSP119).

Relevant parts of Year 5 Mathematics achievement standards: Students interpret maps, geographical data and other information to identify and describe spatial distributions, simple patterns and trends, and suggest conclusions.

Syllabus outcomes: MA3-18SP, MA3‑1WM, MA3‑3WM.

General capabilities: Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – Teachers facilitate discussion and interpretation of data, and support students working independently on their graphs.

• Device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Data sheet – List of major fire events per state and in Australia over time
• Provisions for Learning Extension: The AIDR has a fantastic interactive tool that maps a variety of disasters across Australia over time. While we recommend using the more scaffolded data sheet provided, this site is a great tool for extending students and asking them to collate their own data. Students could look at plotting floods or other disasters of their choosing
• Graph paper (optional)
• Rulers – one per student

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

• Communication
• Critical thinking

We encourage you to undertake the free PD Course How to teach a unit on fire and flood resilience for tips on how to best deliver this lesson.

If you’re concerned about the challenging nature of these topics, consider the free PD Course How to approach trauma in the classroom for information on how best to support your students.

This lesson was made in partnership with
Minderoo Foundation (www.minderoo.org).