Home/Curriculum resources/Communicating traditional Indigenous Knowledge/Inquiry-based learning questions
Learning Area:
English
Year level:
Level 6
Inquiry-based learning questions
This activity is a part of the Communicating traditional Indigenous Knowledge resource.
Uluru from Above. Photographer: NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Source: Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.0
These inquiry-based questions are provided for flexible classroom use, allowing teachers to tailor discussion and reflections specific to their classroom needs
Inquiry questions
Why are oral and narrative traditions such as storytelling important for the communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge?
How does the use of direct quotes give you a different perspective of Ngadju knowledge about fire?
What does the use of diagrams and images contribute to the communication of traditional knowledge?
How does the way information is represented affect what is communicated?
Related activities within this resources:
Activity 1 – Different uses of fire
In this activity, students will compare their own experiences with fire usage to that of the Ngadju people as documented in the Ngadju kala publication, fostering a cross-cultural understanding of fire's diverse roles. They'll brainstorm, document, and explore specific examples, enhancing their appreciation of the multifaceted nature of fire in different cultures.
Suggested timing:
One lesson divided into two 20 minute blocks, with 10 minutes for whole class report back
Required resources:
Electronic or print version of the Ngadju kala document
Activity 2 – The story of how Ngadju got fire
In this activity, students will engage with the Ngadju kala document by reading and discussing the story of how fire was given to the Ngadju people, focusing on its unique language and cultural significance.
Suggested timing:
30 minutes, including whole class discussion
Required resources:
Electronic or print version of the Ngadju kala document
Activity 3 – Communicating traditional knowledge with images and diagrams
In this activity, students will explore the multifaceted uses of fire in Ngadju culture, as portrayed in the Ngadju kala document.
Required resources:
Electronic or printed version of the Ngadju kala document, optional extension activity requires using the Ngadju seasonal calendar document