The Wound
Our History
Why Me?
Our Cultures
My Response
How Indigenous ecological practices can help reduce emissions
Our resources cover a wide array of topic - not just history. For example, this Year 10 science resource provides a lesson plan that explores how First Nations approaches are being used in the fight against climate change.
Ready-made resources that save you time and help engage students
Make a difference in your classroom with easy-to-use, ready-made resources that will help your students understand First Nations stories, experiences and perspectives.
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Key Dates
NAIDOC Week 2021
Invite your students to 'Heal Country, heal our nation' in NAIDOC Week 2021. This comprehensive resource offers rich primary and secondary activities and respectful ways to celebrate as a school. Activities are organised by learning areas, covering HASS, English, visual arts, music, science and the environment, for Foundation to Year 10.
Teacher guide
Foundation
Foundation Science & HASS – Caring for Country: how Indigenous scientific observation and cultural practices support ecosystems
This unit explores the special, reciprocal relationship First Nations Peoples have with Country. It investigates how Indigenous scientific knowledge, gained through observation of the environment, has informed cultural and land management practices for millennia enabling the land, sea, plants, animals and humans to survive and thrive.
ACHASSK016, ACSHE013
Teacher guide
PDF slideshow
Year 1
Y1 Science & English – Knowing Country
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.
v9.0 AC9S1U02, AC9S1H01, AC9S1I03, AC9S1I05, AC9S1I06, AC9E1LA08, AC9E1LE04
Access unit and lesson guide/s
Y1 Science & HASS – Observing and living with the seasons
This unit guides learners to explore seasons, both Western and Indigenous, through observation, community research, hands-on activities and critical thinking. Indigenous seasonal knowledge was essential in the past for living well, and remains important today in order to live with and look after Country for future generations.
ACSHE021, ACHASSK032, ACSSU019, ACHASSI019
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y1 English, HASS & Drama – First Nations societies before colonisation: Dreaming, living, using waterways
Dreaming is reflected in stories and beyond to give meaning to the world. Students work with Dreaming stories, including creating tableaux in a drama activity. Students find evidence of pre-colonisation engineering, aquaculture and trade economies to learn about First Nations practices and to reflect on sustainability for a shared future.
ACHASSK031, ACHASSK033, ACELY1655, ACADRR0289
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y1 English & Science – Tracking meanings from cultures and Country
Students will be immersed in First Nations stories, art and dance and reflect on how this can enrich their own communication and understanding. They will learn how to use features such as animal tracks, visual patterns, rhyme, descriptive words and movement to read the world and communicate meanings to others.
ACELT1581, ACELT1585, ACSSU017, ACSIS213, ACELA1444
Teacher guide
PDF slideshow
Year 2
Y2 English & HASS – Exploring texts by Indigenous authors
Students explore connection to Country and place through Indigenous stories, including Dreaming stories and those by contemporary Indigenous authors. Students use stories to explore the language features of texts and oral storytelling.
ACELA1460, ACELT1591, ACHASSI035, ACHASSI041, ACHASSK048
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y2 Science & HASS – Living things: making connections with the world around us
This scientific investigation into living things explores reciprocity between Country and First Nations Peoples. Students learn about local plants and animals through observation, data collection and research; and unpack sophisticated belief, kinship and knowledge systems some First Nations people use to understand and care for Country.
ACSSU030, ACSIS037, ACSHE034, ACHASSK049
Teacher guide
PDF slideshow
Year 3
Y3 HASS & Visual Arts – Where we live: mapping Country
Students are guided to see the different ways maps can represent place and learn conventions of mapping, such as BOLTSS. They identify boundaries and territories of geographical and political regions and First Nations language groups. Through the Ngurrara Canvas and other art, students also explore ways First Nations people map Country.
ACHASSK066, ACHASSI057, ACAVAM110
Teacher guide
Y3 Science, HASS & Health and PE – Heat transfer – now we’re cooking!
Students explore heat and heat transfer, identifying examples in their everyday lives, and observe cooking methods at home as examples of heat transfer. Students learn about First Nations cooking methods to better understand the cultural importance that‘s woven into the cooking and sharing of food in many communities.
ACSSU049, ACSIS053, ACSIS054, ACHASSK062, ACHASSI059, ACPPS042
Teacher guide
Student handout
Year 4
Y4 Maths & HASS – Enough for me, enough for Country: sustainability using fractions and Indigenous lore
Students investigate fractions, mixed numbers and counting by halves and thirds. They develop geographical understandings about Indigenous custodial responsibility and sustainable resource use. This leads to reflection on our shared responsibility for the present and future and connects numeracy to human wellbeing.
ACMNA078, ACHASSK089
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y4 Science, HASS & Design and Tech – Properties of materials
Students investigate properties of natural materials through investigation, experiments and research. They learn how First Nations Peoples apply scientific knowledges to create tools, clothing and artworks. Students learn how the diversity of Australia’s materials defines the design of everyday items.
ACSSU074, ACHASSK083, ACTDEK010, ACTDEK011, ACTDEK013
Teacher guide
Student handout
Year 5
Y5 Science – Cultural ecology
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.
v9.0 AC9S5I06, AC9S5I01, AC9S5U01
Access unit and lesson guide/s
Y5 Science & HASS – Sustainable solutions: how Indigenous knowledge can lead to better land and water management in Australia
Students explore sustainable Indigenous resource management practices. Students engage with perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples about how relationship to Country shapes decision-making, and they examine a geographical site to show how the environment was altered to sustain ways of living.
ACSHE083, ACHASSK120, ACHASSK112
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y5 Science – Cultural ecology
Students gain an understanding of how First Nations Peoples use knowledges of the adaptations of certain species of animals and plants in everyday life. They learn about Australia’s unique plant and animal diversity and the ways First Nations Peoples continue to use and manage this through ancestral knowledge systems and practices.
ACSSU043, ACSIS086, ACSIS093, ACSIS231
Teacher guide
Student handout
Year 6
Y6 Science – Learning from Indigenous fire management practices
Students learn about Indigenous ecological knowledge and fire management practices. They investigate how Indigenous knowledge continues to be used today to look after plants, animals and the landscape; and how the science of reversible or irreversible change applies.
ACSHE100, ACSSU094, ACSSU095
Teacher guide
Student handout
Year 7
Y7 Geography – In what ways is water important to First Nations people and societies?
Students explore the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ access to water and basic details about water resource management. They engage with First Nations’ perspectives about the value and importance of water and examine local Indigenous cultures to understand the different meanings water holds.
ACHGK041
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y7 Science – Biological sciences: Indigenous classification and understanding food webs
Students compare and contrast First Nations Peoples’ different approaches to classifying organisms and the Western scientific approach known as the Linnaean system. They explore how different classification systems might inform our knowledge of the ecological interactions between organisms, including food chains and food webs.
ACSSU111, ACSSU112, ACSHE119, ACSHE223, ACSHE121, ACSIS125
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y7 Science – The cycles of Earth and space
Students explore how First Nations Peoples recognise cycles on Earth and in space, and how they utilise them in daily life. They’re given opportunities to compare and contrast this with the Western scientific understanding of the same phenomena, through a variety of hands-on science activities.
ACSSU115, ACSHE121, ACSIS124, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS129, ACSIS130, ACSIS133
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y7 Geography – Place and liveability
This resource explores what Country means to First Nations Peoples, and how all that Country encompasses relates to liveability. Students examine case studies and elements of Country. And, through geographic inquiry and investigation, they apply these elements to their own places and spaces to improve liveability.
ACHGK043, ACHGK046, ACHGK047, ACHGS048
Teacher guide
Student handout
Year 8
Y8 Geography – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names and meanings
Students investigate the significance of landscapes and landforms to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Students explore the names and naming of landforms and the ways that mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to represent data.
ACHGK048
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y8 Economics and Business – Indigenous businesses and cost-benefit analysis
Students explore an Indigenous business and analyse how it’s responded to an opportunity or issue. They apply a cost-benefit analysis to identify opportunities in the market and propose alternative ways to take advantage of these.
ACHES035
Teacher guide
Student handout
Year 9
Y9 Science – Protecting Australian ecosystems
In this biological science unit, students explore the relationship humans have with ecosystems, focusing on the ways First Nations people have used and continue to use scientific knowledge to maintain ecosystems. Students investigate the use of fire to regulate biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems, and as a land management technique.
ACSSU176, ACSHE157, ACSHE160, ACSIS164, ACSIS170
Teacher guide
Student handout
Year 10
Y10 Science – The biological evolution of First Nations Peoples to the harsh Australian climate
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.
v9.0 AC9S10U01, AC9S10U02, AC9S10H04, AC9S10I02
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y10 Geography – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ approaches to environmental management
This resource gives students an overview of environmental management in Australia, and the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are involved. Students are guided with ways to research the topic independently and recommended activities incorporate key geographic ideas.
ACHGK072
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y10 Science – How Indigenous ecological practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Students learn how traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of First Nations Peoples is passed on through generations, and how collaboration with governments on climate change can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Students investigate the different fire management strategies and the reinstatement of TEK to protect Australian biodiversity.
ACSSU189, ACSHE192, ACSHE194
Teacher guide
Student handout
Y10 Science – Exploring First Nations knowledges of celestial bodies
As the first astronomers in Australia, First Nations Peoples have rich knowledges and understanding of the night sky and how it affects the land. First Nations Peoples have used knowledges of the celestial bodies for navigation, weather predictions and explaining the universe's origin through sky stories.
ACSSU188
Teacher guide
Student handout
Australians Together Learning Framework
Take a deep dive into the Learning Framework and explore our vast array of First Nations stories, activities, resources, and more. Curate your own customised learning journey to unlock the truth of our past, prompt reflection about our present, and inspire meaningful action that will bring about a brighter shared future for our nation.
The Wound
Injustice from the impact of colonisation.
Discover our curated collection of stories, articles and statistics that expose the injustices at the heart of our nation.
Who are Indigenous Australians?
Our History
A past that shapes our story as a nation.
Tell stories that many Australians have never heard.
Immerse yourself in stories and articles to understand the connection between our nation’s past and present.
Busting the myth of peaceful settlement
Early missionaries to Australia
The civil rights movement in Australia
Why Me?
What’s it got to do with me?
Examines why this is relevant to every Australian.
Browse articles and stories that explore the ways we’re all connected, and what this means for us as Australians, collectively and individually.
What does this have to do with me?
Australia Day: answers to tricky questions
Our Cultures
Everyone has culture. Know about your culture and value the culture of others.
Dive into stories and articles that explore the significance of culture and its role in building a better future together.
Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country
My Response
Steps we can take to build a brighter future.
Find inspiration in stories and articles that show even little steps can lead to big change when we do things together.
How do I get the most out of these resources?
The resources are designed to be flexible and modular, working around how you like to teach. You can use the resources exactly as they’re designed, or as a starting point from which to build your own lessons. Make them your own and use them to help you feel more confident in class.
How will Australians Together continue to help me?
Change takes time and we’re here to provide the support you need over the long term. We’re constantly building new resources and we love to hear from educators like you. Feel free to reach out at any point and we can see how we can help. Together we can build a brighter future and a more united Australia for everyone.
Here’s why so many teachers love our resources:
- Everything is ready to go
Our resources include teacher guides and student handouts. - Save you time
Teachers love our resources as they it saves them time when lesson planning and they’re packed full of activities that really engage students. - Authentic learning
Teachers are following our resources’ responsive framework to confidently teach about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.
Have your say
Lets talk
We'd love to hear your feedback, comment or suggestions.
Contact us
contact@australianstogether.org.au
Phone: (08) 7073 6499
PO Box 107
PARK HOLME SA 5043
