Essential Question

How do First Nations people use cultural stories to describe the patterns in the night sky?

Warning — First Nations teachers and students are advised that this curriculum resource may contain images, voices or names of deceased people.

Unit details

Y2 Science & Media Arts
Lesson Time: 40 minutes
Lessons: 11
Duration: 6 weeks

Australian Curriculum
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority.

Unit overview

This unit will encourage students to explore the solar system, planets and space, including celestial objects and constellations. Students will identify patterns in the changing position of objects in the sky, create models of objects and use specific vocabulary to name specific objects. Students will use scientific skills to ask questions, make predictions about changes in the sky and collect and order data. Students will learn about what an astronomer does and explore cultural stories of First Nations Peoples of Australia and how they’re shared to describe the patterns in the changing positions of the sun, moon and stars. Students will acknowledge and learn about First Nations Peoples’ ways of sharing astronomical knowledge.

While this resource has been created so it can be taught in a linear fashion, feel free to start small. You may prefer to select a single activity that connects to what you’re teaching or about to teach. Even small actions can make a big difference.