Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson students synthesise what they have learned from the Who We Are: Brave New Clan unit and develop a plan for promoting reconciliation actions in their school or community. Students will work in groups to select an action that is important to them, then brainstorm an idea for making this action happen. Next, they collaboratively plan a project based on their idea and then execute this plan. Finally, students are asked to reflect upon the success of their project and their role in creating and executing the project.
This lesson is produced in partnership with Cool Australia and the Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education team at Reconciliation Australia. We acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future Traditional Owners, Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We respectfully caution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that this resource may contain images and names of people who have passed away.
Essential questions:
- What things that I have learnt in the Who We Are: Brave New Clan unit do I care about the most? What things are most important to me?
- What actions can we take to promote reconciliation in our school or wider community?
- How can we share what we have learnt about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and country/place with the school and wider community?
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
The films and lessons presented in Who We Are: Brave New Clan have been designed to align with the organising ideas of the Australian Curriculum’s cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. Use of the film in a classroom setting will build teachers’ and students’ knowledge of, understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, contributions and ways of life.
This lesson concludes the Who We Are: Brave New Clan unit. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge to take action, supporting their school in promoting positive and meaningful action around reconciliation in both the classroom and around the school. As a result this lesson can be integrated into a number of subject areas as the focus is on developing the Cross-curriculum priorities and General capabilities of the Australian Curriculum and 21st century skills.
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures OI.1 to OI.9.
General capabilities: Intercultural Understanding, Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy.
Topic: Who We Are: Brave New Clan
Units of work: Who We Are: Brave New Clan – Country/Place, People, Culture.
Time required: 150+ mins (plus time for students to complete action projects)
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee discussion, lead students in activities.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. List of Actions. One printed copy of Project Planning Tool for each group. Project checklist. Butcher’s paper and textas, online stopwatch.
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture, people, Country, place, identity.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
