Australians are all In This Together; each one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation. The role of teachers is important and unique as we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.

We have free curriculum aligned lessons for all levels that are ideal to extend the theme of reconciliation into the classroom.

Cool Australia focuses on helping students build understanding and broaden their perspectives when engaging with social issues. Our lessons are designed to empower students with information, letting them fully embrace the topic and energising them to create positive change.

Looking for early learning or lower primary lesson ideas? 

Many of the lessons included on this page are designed for upper primary and secondary students. If you are looking for lessons for younger students we recommend you have a look at Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education (Reconciliation Australia) have lessons for all ages.

Learning through documentaries

Film can be an incredible tool to introduce complex social issues and get students engaged in conversation. Many of our lessons are centred around award-winning documentaries as they allow teachers to engage students through story telling. 

The Final Quarter

Cool Australia has partnered with Shark Island Productions to create curriculum resources for acclaimed Australian documentary, The Final Quarter. The film focuses on the final years of AFL footballer Adam Goodes’ career, an Indigenous leader and Sydney Swans player who became a lightning rod for an intense public debate and widespread media commentary that divided the country.

With 52 lessons designed for Years 5-12 the curriculum content includes specialist subject that investigate racism, privilege, truth-telling, cultural pride, resilience, values and dignity. In these lessons students will learn about taking responsibility for their words, actions and attitudes towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the importance of rejecting racism in all its forms.

They will develop skills in active, conscious and reflective listening and communication, along with gaining an understanding of the Five Dimensions of Reconciliation.

NEW Year 9 & 10 English Lessons

In My Blood It Runs has just been released in cinemas and our new lessons will be released in April.

With your students ask how can we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to have equal access to education and make classrooms safe and respectful places for all students? Find out more

Available – April 2020

Celebrating Culture & Reconciliation in the Classroom

Celebrating Cultures – Hilda’s Story

Who We Are: Brave New Clan

Drama & HASS – Years 3 & 4

Years 4, 5 & 6 | Unit Links: People Culture Country/Place

Students will engage with the story of Yanyuwa woman, Hilda Jarman Muir, a member of the Stolen Generations.

They will then explore and respond to a historical story from their own community, improvising some dramatic scenes about this story for performance.

The Celebrating Cultures project also includes lessons for Years 5 & 6 English focusing on connecting to Our Country. Find out more 

Follow the lives of six exceptional young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as they share stories about their communities, history and cultures in contemporary Australia. The young people in the film reflect with pride on where they came from, the courage they needed to get where they are, and the optimism they have for where they are going.

The teaching resources are divided into three primary school units; People, Culture, and Country/Place.  Lessons cover:  English,  HASS, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Arts

The Final Quarter – Racism & School Responsibility

The Final Quarter – Towards Reconciliation

Blue Water Empire 

HPE – Years 7 & 8

Civics & Citizenship – Year 10

Years 7 & 10

Examine how your school combats racism and bullying and make suggestions for positive change.

Students will conduct a class-based audit to assess how well their school is combating racism, bullying, discrimination and harassment  and  consider possible improvements to the school’s policies.

Explores injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their rights and the continuing journey towards reconciliation.

Students gain an understanding of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is and the implications that it has for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia. 

Blue Water Empire is a 3-part dramatised-documentary series originally aired on ABC.

The series gives a unique insight into the history of the Torres Strait Islands. The series Info Packs cover themes and provide useful links to introduce into the classroom.

Research Focus: Teaching Cool Burning in the Classroom

What’s so cool about ‘cool burning’?

For tens of thousands of years Australian Aboriginal peoples have actively managed the savanna using fire. Their knowledge of the seasons and local conditions enable them to produce the most effective cool burns. These cool burns benefit both the environment and the Aboriginal traditional way of life.

Our teacher PD lets you build confidence in teaching Indigenous topics, and lets you make learning relevant by connecting to land management in your local area. These resources allow students to explore the use of cool burns as a way to manage country and how Indigenous Australians are the knowledge keepers of fire.

Primary

Secondary

Teach Caring for Country Using Fire

Cool Burning – For Primary Students

Teach Indigenous Land Management
Using Fire

Cool Burning – For Secondary Students

Explore Aboriginal Histories and Cultures in Years 3-6 through the stories of traditional owners and the fire-stick techniques they use to care for the land.

Course Length: Two Hours

Incorporate Aboriginal Histories and Cultures in Year 7-10 Geography by exploring how traditional owners are using fire to manage the land.

Course Length: Two Hours