Curriculum resources

Students explore the patterns linking their world with First Nations cultures, investigating patterns in nature, storytelling, language and counting systems. Students identify, create and interpret patterns, with a focus on the meaning and value in patterns for First Nations Peoples.

This unit explores the important information First Nations Peoples collect and communicate from observing the natural environment. Students will identify and make connections to what we observe, why we observe, how we observe and ways to communicate observations.

Students explore how cultural stories of First Nations Peoples of Australia describe the patterns in the changing positions of the sun, moon and stars. Students recognise that astronomers use patterns of movement of celestial objects in the sky.

Students explore the meaning behind the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols and how we can use these protocols, meaningfully, to show respect for the relationship between First Nations people and Country.

Students explore what flags, symbols and significant dates represent in Australia and the protocol involved in their use. Through exploring stories told by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, students identify different perspectives on significant events.

Students learn about water and the ways it enriches life. They explore how water’s perceived, valued and how it connects places in the environment. In looking at how First Nations Peoples understand and care for water, students develop their appreciation for water and water places, to learn to care for and sustain these places.

This unit immerses students in the cultural stories and songs of First Nations Peoples, exploring the important role cultural practices and beliefs play in the development and expression of identity. Students consider the role culture plays in their own lives and reflect on how they might express their unique identity.

Students examine literary texts by First Nations people that depict impactful events. They explore aspects of the texts that convey historical context, investigate narrative voices in the texts, and analyse the responses these voices evoke.

Students explore how First Nations Peoples use knowledges of the structural features and behaviours of some animals and plants. They learn about Australia’s unique plant and animal diversity, and how First Nations Peoples to use and manage this through ancestral knowledge systems and practices.

Students learn how, in the early 1800s, European colonists sought a passage across the Blue Mountains to find resources for the growing colony at Sydney Cove. Students analyse sources, including diaries and art, to explore how expanding the colony impacted both First Nations Peoples and colonisers at Sydney Cove and their local area.

Students undertake an inquiry into First Nations storytellers and cultural narratives, and the art of dramatic storytelling and elements of filmmaking. They show their responses through making a short film that tells a story of First Nations identity and resilience.

This unit explores the relationship between habitats and survival of living things and how the knowledges of First Nations Peoples about Country allowed different species to thrive for millennia. Students investigate changing physical conditions by creating their own experiment.

In this unit, students explore the ways that identity is shaped by cultures and contexts. A close analysis of the film, The Sapphires, encourages students to recognise the personal empowerment of culture and identity, and to consider the impact that a disruption to this can have on a person.

Students explore the importance of water for First Nations Peoples in Australia and the material, cultural and spiritual meanings associated with bodies of water. The impact of colonisation, First Nations water management and struggles for water rights are explored through three case studies.

Students learn how sources are located and identified. They examine primary and secondary sources to draw conclusions about how evidence is used to learn about the lives of First Nations Peoples. By investigating the findings at Lake Mungo, students study the importance of conserving historical sites.

In this Y7–8 unit, students engage with First Nations Peoples’ knowledges, stories and art to challenge their thinking about the dramatic element of ‘space’. Students investigate how the spaces between bodies and objects can create meaning and how cultural appreciation can enhance their theatre-making.

Students explore lived experiences of First Nations Peoples, reflecting on the use of language to examine themes of identity, Country and disconnection from culture. Students develop an understanding of tone and other literary devices, and skills in communicating their ideas about texts.

Students will explore significant landscapes in Australia and connections to First Nations Dreaming. They’ll consider perspectives about Country and land use and create visitor guides to demonstrate understanding of landscapes and landforms and their significance to First Nations Peoples.

This unit allows students to develop awareness of the ideas, contexts and perspectives around reconciliation. Students unpack relevant concepts and texts and are encouraged to convey a respectful attitude towards learning about a complex issue that affects all Australians.

In this Y7–8 unit, students engage with First Nations Peoples’ knowledges, stories and art to challenge their thinking about the dramatic element of ‘space’. Students investigate how the spaces between bodies and objects can create meaning and how cultural appreciation can enhance their theatre-making.

In this unit, students focus on the histories, experiences and legacies of non-European migrants and First Nations Peoples in the pre-Federation context, through the analysis of primary and secondary sources. Students demonstrate their learning in an individual research and source analysis assessment.

Students investigate ways First Nations artists explore identity, values and cultures through their visual arts practice, and examine their own. Students build awareness of cultural appropriation and how to avoid it. Using self-designed symbols, they create artworks and reflect on that process.

Students gain an understanding of how First Nations Peoples can use theatre practices to challenge perceptions of identity. Students use experiential activities to explore identity and learn how theatre can raise awareness of oppression and challenge us to acknowledge Australia’s shared history.

Students explore how First Nations Australian authors reflect unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing. This is achieved by reviewing the early history of First Nations literature and the difficulties of storytelling, and by analysing and contextualising protest poetry, drama and contemporary autobiographical writing.

Using the case study of January 26/Australia Day, students investigate links between history and national identity, and explore reasons for the contested nature of the terms settlement and invasion. They learn about academic history debates and how and why narratives often conflict with one another.

In this biological sciences unit, students investigate disorders of feedback systems and effects on the development of products to address issues. Students research the relationships between First Nations healing and biomedical models in contemporary medical systems, and present findings to peers.

Students investigate ways First Nations artists explore identity, values and cultures through their visual arts practice, and examine their own. Students build awareness of cultural appropriation and how to avoid it. Using self-designed symbols, they create artworks and reflect on that process.

Students gain an understanding of how First Nations Peoples can use theatre practices to challenge perceptions of identity. Students use experiential activities to explore identity and learn how theatre can raise awareness of oppression and challenge us to acknowledge Australia’s shared history.

Students explore the inspiring stories of First Nations people who served Australia during WWII, as well as those who fought for their own rights before and after. By interrogating a rich range of sources, students hear the voices and perspectives of First Nations Peoples. Students complete a critical source analysis assessment.

The past tells how our ancestors migrated across the world and came to settle in Sahul. A story of resilience is uncovered through studying the biological evolution of First Nations Peoples. Genetic isolation and extreme climate changes have given rise to societies rich in archaeological histories.

Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the Stolen Generations through the specific experiences of individual survivors. They examine policy and practice in their own state and explore and consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s perspectives and ongoing criticisms of child removal policies.