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Cathy Watt - Year 4/5 class from
Nyindamurra Family School, Forest Grove
Western Australia
wrote the following about their experience
of the Wardan programmes:
"Most activities undertaken in our
programme have fitted into the English or
Society and the Environment learning
areas, however there is huge potential for
Art to be included into the theme
also.
A major thread within the theme of our
Aboriginal Studies program is the strong
link and reliance of Aboriginal culture
with the land. We have read many books,
and seen videos from various parts of
Australia describing bush tuckers, tools
etc from different environments.
The excursion to Wardan fitted perfectly
into this area of the programme with the
bush tucker walk, and the showing of huts
and the tool making.
We have some tools, artefacts and art
works in the classroom, and have examined
the styles of decoration, material used
etc. We have looked at some artworks as
maps including symbols, and each student
made their own map with symbols."
"We have read and seen videos of many
Dreamtime stories. In particular we
concentrated on stories of the Rainbow
Serpent from around Australia and we
identified with common characteristic in
all stories."
The students have written:
- A book report on a book of their choice
from the collection of Aboriginal books in
the classroom;
- A short report on a topic of their
choice which they had researched;
- A recount of the excursion to
Wardan;
- A report on the things they have learnt
about the Wardandi;
- Letter of thanks;
- A written self assessment on the
theme.
"The excursion to the Centre was a
valuable way to make classroom learning
more relevant, and to reinforce and add to
topics. The activities which most
impressed the students were the practical
ones such as spear throwing, tool making
and the 'corroboree'.
Since the excursion they have spoken a lot
about the ëclosing the gateí
and the methods of dealing with law
breakers that Bill spoke about."
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