Activity 1: Introduction to Smoking Ceremonies

Activity 1: Introduction to Smoking Ceremonies

Focus: Introduction to Indigenous smoking ceremonies

Possible overarching question: What are smoking ceremonies, and why are they significant in some Aboriginal cultures?

Step by step guide

• Step 1: Connecting to students' prior learning

• Step 2: Shared text and discussion

• Step 3: See, Think, Wonder

• Step 4: Reflection and sharing

Required Resources:

• Teacher Support Material

• What does Country mean poster

• Picture Story Book "Ceremony" by Adam Goodes & Ellie Laing; illustrations by David Hardy

• See, Think, Wonder Template

• Images for See, Think, Wonder

Step 1: Connecting to students’ prior learning

Begin by engaging students in a discussion that revisits their previous learnings from the module Learning about Country/Place in the element of Land, asking them to share any memories or insights related to Indigenous connections to the land.

Facilitate a brief review of key concepts previously covered to refresh students' memories and establish a foundation for new learning. If you have work samples or displays, this could also support linking to prior learning. The "what does Country mean" poster is also included to support the discussion.

Step 2: Shared text and discussion

Read "Ceremony" by Adam Goodes & Ellie Laing; illustrations by David Hardy. Start with a discussion to define what ceremony means. The Teacher Support Material provides further guidance for sharing and discussion of the text. Encourage students to pay close attention to the text and images and how they relate to ceremony.

Ceremony: Welcome to Our Country. Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing; illustrated by David Hardy. Allen & Unwin. © Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing and David Hardy. Used with permission.

After reading, discuss the observations students have recorded or remembered from the text connected to Ceremony.

You may like to move into discussing ceremony and the relationship with Country using the Teacher Support Material provided and the poster. Connect this content outlined in the material back to the text using the illustrations to support.

Let students know that you are going to spend time exploring and understanding smoking ceremonies together.

Step 3: Learning about smoking ceremonies using a See, Think, Wonder

Present intriguing objects, images, or clips related to smoking ceremonies. Suggestions have been provided in the Teacher Support Material.

Let students know they will use a "See, Think, Wonder" routine to record their thinking. Students jot down:

• See: Describe what you observe in the images/videos without inferring or explaining.

• Think: Reflect on what you think is happening in the scenes depicted. What do these ceremonies appear to mean or represent?

• Wonder: Note any questions or curiosities that arise from the observations.

If students are not familiar with this routine, spend time explaining this by undertaking an example.

Step 4: Reflection and sharing

In partners or small groups, students can share what they recorded on the See, Think, Wonder. Teacher can facilitate a broader discussion with the class.

Spend time exploring student wonderings and see how they can be incorporated into the learning design.

Come back to the overarching question “What are smoking ceremonies, and why are they significant in some Aboriginal cultures?” and have students share their initial responses reflecting on this lesson. Record the responses to revisit in subsequent lessons. You could also do this as an exit ticket routine.

Let students know that they are going to explore smoking ceremonies more in the next session.