Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students undertake an investigation into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional use of fire to manage Country. They will undertake research to explore the benefits of fire regimes such as cool burning in land management. To bring their research together, students will draw up two checklists; one will identify the best conditions for cool burns and the other will evaluate how a specific cool burn went. They draw conclusions about the best way to use fire to manage and reduce land degradation.
Learning goals:
- Students identify the environmental, cultural and economic benefits of cool burning.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Year 10 Geography:
- The human-induced environmental changes that challenge sustainability (ACHGK070)
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ approaches to custodial responsibility and environmental management in different regions of Australia (ACHGK072)
- The application of geographical concepts and methods to the management of the environmental change being investigated (ACHGK074)
- Develop geographically significant questions and plan an inquiry that identifies and applies appropriate geographical methodologies and concepts (ACHGS072)
- Collect, select, record and organise relevant data and geographical information, using ethical protocols, from a range of appropriate primary and secondary sources (ACHGS073)
- Apply geographical concepts to synthesise information from various sources and draw conclusions based on the analysis of data and information, taking into account alternative points of view (ACHGS077)
- Present findings, arguments and explanations in a range of appropriate communication forms selected for their effectiveness and to suit audience and purpose, using relevant geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS079)
Syllabus outcomes: GE5-2, GE5-3, GE5-4, GE5-5, GE5-7, GE5-8.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding.
Cross-curriculum priorities:
Relevant parts of Year 10 Geography achievement standards: Students identify, analyse and explain significant interconnections between people, places and environments and explain changes that result from these interconnections and their consequences. They critically evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources to select and collect relevant, reliable and unbiased geographical information and data. They analyse and synthesise data and other information to draw reasoned conclusions, taking into account alternative perspectives. Students present findings, arguments and explanations using relevant geographical terminology and graphic representations and digital technologies in a range of selected and appropriate communication forms.
Topic: Cool Burning, Indigenous Education.
Unit of work: Cool Burning – Secondary.
Time needed: 120 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – students need to have an open mind to the depth of knowledge among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and how their knowledge can be practically applied.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting a website to the class.
- Student Worksheet – one copy per student. .
- Factsheet – Cool Burning Scientific Research
- Factsheet – How Do Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Peoples Use Fire To Manage Country?
Related professional development:
Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, fire, cool burning, savanna, land management.
Special thanks to:
Fish River Station, John Daly, Dr Jeremy Russell-Smith, Peter Jacklyn, Peter McConchie, Dr Tommy George, David Claudie, Dale Musgrave, Carolyn George and Victor Steffensen.
Cool Australia would like to acknowledge the support of the Bennelong Foundation in updating these lessons.
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Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum. There is great diversity in histories and cultures among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia. This resource includes investigations into and information about some of them. It has an emphasis, but not an exclusive one, on the histories and cultural practices of the Aboriginal peoples of the Northern Territory. It is underpinned by consultation with Aboriginal communities in various parts of Australia.
Teacher Preparation
