Home/Curriculum resources/The Swamp/Activity 2 - Mapping story places
Learning Area:
The Arts
Year levels:
Level 9, Level 10
Suggested timing:
30 minutes
Required resources:
Laptop/tablet, Internet connection, Goggle Earth
Activity 2 - Mapping story places
This activity is a part of the The Swamp resource.
Eubenangee Swamp National Park Australia. Gimuy country. Source: Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 2.0.
Using Google Earth, students explore the Arafura Swamp's impact on Yolngu life, considering environmental, cultural, and practical aspects. They compare the swap's centrality to their own surroundings, discuss challenges to traditional culture, and gain insights into Indigenous life.
Required resources
Laptop/tablet with internet connection
Google Earth
Step by step guide
Step 1: Explore the Arafura Swamp using Google Earth
Go to Google Earth (https://earth.google.com/web/).
Search for Ramingining. Then search for the Arafura Swamp. Now find individual rivers and nearby wetlands. Consider what they are like on the ground, and how they would change between wet and dry seasons.
Step 2: Compare own surroundings to Yolngu life
Now have students find their town on Google Earth and have a look at the landscape. Find local rivers, wetlands, coastline, mountains, or other features in the landscape.
Step 3: Questions for students to consider
How does the landscape, weather and seasons influence your place and how you live and how does this compare to life in the Arafura Swamp?
The Yolngu people are responsible for their swamp. What are you responsible for?
How do you look after your environment and the land you live on?
Are there environmental problems in your place? What could be done better?
Related activities within this resources:
Activity 1 - The Swamp
Students view "The Swamp" film, exploring its genre, impact on Indigenous storytelling, deviations from traditional documentaries, and analyse the elements used for meaning and audience engagement.
Suggested timing:
30 minutes
Required resources:
AV equipment
Activity 3 - Telling the story of a place
Students explore a natural environment, observe, create group stories using visual media, and analyse their storytelling choices in a classroom presentation and discussion.
Suggested timing:
One lesson
Required resources:
Filming device, Local natural area