Topic: Ngarrindjeri Habit of Mind: Thinking Interdependently

GOAL: To create a unit of work to develop students’ understanding of Ngarrindjeri society and culture
BIG IDEA: “United we stand, divided we fall!”
UNDERSTANDINGS
· The changes in identity and practices that the Ngarrindjeri people underwent post European settlement / ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
· What are the similarities and differences between Ngarrindjeri and non-indigenous cultures?
· What are the challenges facing Ngarrindjeri people today?
· What happens when cultures collide?
Others to be generated by Extended Learning group
·
KNOWLEDGE
· Geography of the local area using the Dreaming Story of Ngurunderi
· Gender roles in the tribe
· Use of plants and animals
· Culture of the Ngarrindjeri relationships
· Aboriginal art symbolism
· Rites and ceremonies
· Extended Learning
- study of eminent Ngarrindjeri people
- impact of European settlement and contemporary Australia on Ngarrindjeri cultural identity, values, laws and beliefs
SKILLS
· Use research skills to locate facts about the Ngarrindjeri people from a range of resources. Evaluate their relevance to the topic and apply the information to a task
· Use presentation skills including a variety of medium and an understanding of learning styles (VAKT) and Multiple Intelligences
· Use written and oral communication skills effectively / HABITS OF MIND
Exploring Meaning
· Definition
· Analogy Poster
· Personal Example
· Icon
Expanding Capacities
· Jigsaw
· Think, Pair, Share
Increasing Alertness
· List group work criteria
· Role statement for group members
· T chart independent vs. interdependent
Extending Values
· Allocation of roles for a successful group
Building Commitment
· Develop a rubric to assess their overall success
· Ongoing shared entry journal
ASSESSMENT
· PERFORMANCE TASK – Interdependent task - like ability grouping for extension students, mixed ability grouping for all others. Create a museum exhibit including a range of products from a choice of artifacts, pictures, diary entries and other display items, depicting a week in the life of a family of Ngarrindjeri people. Groups need to give consideration to the learning styles of museum visitors and methods to engage and inform them. A choice of content will be available for students to research. Negotiate number of topics to be covered.
· OTHER EVIDENCE
- Written explanation cards for each item in the museum display
- Oral recording of relevant information for museum visitors
- Quiz design with answers in same groups on facts about a choice of content of Ngarrindjeri culture using the Expert Jigsaw model
LEARNING PLAN
· Create a timeline map of Ngarrindjeri history
· Analyse the Ngarrindjeri flag and label it according to its attributes
· Analyse Ngarrindjeri Dreaming Stories by Jacob Stengle and discuss what these tells us about Ngarrindjeri culture
· Read and analyse relevant non-fiction texts (differentiated for extended learning ability grouping) and take notes to inform the quiz and museum display.
· Visit museum, evaluate exhibit designs and apply findings to sketch a visual plan for own exhibit and note specific facts to be included
· Visit Botanic Gardens and follow the Aboriginal Plant Use Trail. Complete the related activities
· Extended Learning discussion - What should we do when threatened with relocation? Fight, flee or agree? What impact would each course of action have on our lives?

DIFFERENTIATION

Content / Choice within tasks
Eminent people
Negotiation of more complex tasks
Process / Differentiated resources
Expert Jigsaw
Higher Order Thinking Skills
Like ability grouping for gifted students
Product / Variety of artifacts, pictures, diary entries and other display items

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dugan, M, 1998, Aboriginal Australia, Discoveries and Innovations, Melbourne, MacMillan Education

Holinsworth, D., 2003, They Took the Children, SA, Working Title Press

Kartinyeri, D., 2003, Bush Games and Knucklebones, W.A. Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation.

Ngarrindjeri Nation Flag, 1999, http://ngarrindjeri.tripod.com/pages/flag.html (Accessed 15/1//07)

O’Shaughnessy, P., 2000, A Traveller’s Guide to Aboriginal Australia, WA, Desert Images

South Australian Museum, 1989, Ngurunderi: An Aboriginal Dreaming, South Australian Museum

South Australian Museum, Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, 2000, Speaking Land, http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/orig/aacg/speakingland.htm (Accessed 15/11/07)