1.3- Sustainability

Sustainability for future generations: How waste impacts our environment

What students are learning:

This term, Year Four students will develop an understanding of the impact waste has on the natural environment when not managed correctly, and explore how to contribute to a sustainable future through the Australian Curriculum: Geography. Integrating Sustainability, a key concept within the Geography Curriculum and a Cross-curriculum Priority, along with Science, students are provided opportunities to develop knowledge, values and skills enabling them to play an active role in maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations.

How students are learning and why:

Building upon your child’s prior knowledge and understanding about reducing, reusing and recycling household waste, this unit focuses on exploring effective ways of managing and investigating the impact waste, particularly plastic, has on the environment.

Processing and discussing new data allows students to think critically about sustainability. Students will discuss key issues on sustainability and discuss how they feel after watching a video on plastics and the environment.

 

In small groups, students’ will research, collect, process and evaluate gathered information from a variety of sources, including the internet and a fieldtrip to a local beach as they investigate the key inquiry question, “How does plastic impact our environment?”

The fieldtrip will provide students the opportunity to participate through a hands-on, real life experience as they observe, document and collect waste by developing a physical and emotional understanding and appreciation of their natural world and the impact waste has on the environment.

 

Students will present their findings during the school assembly through a multimedia presentation to inform peers of the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste and highlight the consequences that not recycling has on the environment.

 

This inquiry assists students to achieve an educational goal as they work towards sustaining and improving natural and social environments by being active and informed citizens. Students not only have the opportunity to learn about sustainability, but also learn through engaging in meaningful contexts, enabling them to think critically about how to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.

How parents can support their child’s learning.

To support your child’s learning about long term sustainability within their environment, there are endless sustainable practices you can encourage and model to emphasise the difference that can be made. Encouraging participation in local and national environmental initiatives such as Clean Up Australia Day allows your child to actively be involved in helping to protect and care for their environment.


Encouraging your child to make informed choices whether to reduce, reuse or recycle waste will ensure they are contributing to the sustainability of future generations. Furthermore, where possible, reduce the amount of plastics and disposable packaging in food choices sent to school by using reusable food containers as it can help your child make connections on making environmentally responsible choices.

  

 



1.2- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.

The Stolen Generations and Sorry Day.

WARNING: The following blog may contain images, videos or names of deceased Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Acknowledgement of Country:

I would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community, the traditional owners of this land and acknowledge Elders- past, present and future.

What students are learning:                   

This term, Year Six students will develop understanding, awareness and empathy of the impact of Australia’s historical past involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
 
The Stolen Generations and Sorry Day are significant events which shape Australia’s history and present day. It is essential students engage in relevant real life events when addressing human rights and social justice.

The Stolen Generations refers to the forcible removal and mistreatment of mixed descent children from Indigenous mothers and their communities, with intentions to force ‘white’ Australian culture upon them. Indigenous children lost cultural connections to their language and traditions, whilst the mothers mourned lifelong loss of their child.

Through inquiry, this unit provides students opportunities to build empathy, knowledge and ethical understanding of cultural diversity through exploring, researching, and examining personal viewpoints of past events relating to The Stolen Generations and Sorry Day through the Australian Curriculum: History.

Incorporating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures and Histories priority into the learning adds depth and richness to students developing knowledge and understanding of The Stolen Generations and continuing lasting impact on Australia’s history; allowing students to work towards recognition, respect and reconciliation of Australian’s Indigenous Peoples.

How students are learning and why:          

Students will engage in a whole class reading of The Burnt Stick. Students will discuss how they feel about the removal of Aboriginal children from their families, including how they would feel if someone they loved were removed from their lives without permission or reason. Students will explore the testimony of one of The Stolen Generations survivors (Stolen Generations-testimonies) and present an oral recount and discuss the impact the forcible removal had on their chosen survivor’s life.

Students will watch Kevin Rudd's apology to The Stolen Generations and form an opinion whether they believe the apology can heal the pain and loss from past events and help achieve reconciliation.

How parents can support their child’s learning:

To support your child’s learning on this topic I have organised an information session with a local Elder to discuss their perspectives on The Stolen Generations including using appropriate language, protocols, permissions and overall respect when interacting with Aboriginal histories and culture. Not showing respect to Aboriginal culture is a common mistake non-Aboriginal people make so attendance with your child would be appreciated. Allow your child to engage in positive and open discussions about both sides of Australia’s history; learning it is the first step towards reconciliation

 

 

 

 

1.1 Civics and Citzenship- Teaching a controversial issue

 

Should the date of Australia Day be changed? 

 

 

What students are learning:

This term students will develop understanding about how and why Australia day is celebrated. Students will respond to the inquiry question “Should Australia day be changed to an alternative date?” The inquiry is based upon developing your child’s perspective on a controversial topic, while also developing their understanding about how others may perceive celebrations within the community.

Civics and Citizenship is one of the key learning areas of Humanities and Social Sciences which will be used to teach your child the knowledge, skills and learning experiences required to become an active participant within society. Integration of the History strand and The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures priority will also provide students opportunities to develop deep knowledge and understanding of Australia Day.

 

How students are learning and why:

The Australian Curriculum is underpinned by the educational goals outlined in the Melbourne Declaration which support students understanding of Australia’s national values to become active and informed citizens.

The aim of the inquiry help students identify personal values, develop an understanding of Australian history and understand and acknowledge the values of others. These skills will be developed through questioning, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and making informed decisions and adapting to change.

Students will be shown a short video 'Australia day' (please right click link below) http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s1803207.htm providing an insight what Australia Day means to different people. This may challenge initial beliefs that there is only one ‘correct view’ and deepen understanding.

Students will research various sources, analyse and interpret information gathered and reflect on how and why people chose to celebrate Australia Day including alternative viewpoints. Inquiry allows students to combine prior and newly acquired knowledge to make informed judgements in Australia’s diverse society. Students will form an opinion whether or not they believe the date of Australia Day should be changed based upon significant events of the past and present as January 26th is not a day for celebration for everyone in Australia.

 

How you can support your child's learning:

This term we will be introducing a new app called Seasaw (http://web.seesaw.me/). Seesaw is an online app available on any digital device allowing both teachers and your child to share their work. When items are added, you will be notified and can view at a convenient time. Seesaw can be used as a platform to engage in discussions with your child at home about what they are learning. Particularly for this unit of work, engaging in positive and open discussions about Australia and its histories will help guide students learning and understanding and challenge their perspectives.

Provided below are several webpage links which can be viewed with your child about Australia Day and different viewpoints to facilitate rich discussions.

Teacher-Parent Resources:

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3934600.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4399703.htm