Pathway 1: Introducing Aboriginal Knowledge of the Solar System

Pathway 1: Introducing Aboriginal Knowledge of the Solar System

Focus: The purpose of this pathway is to guide students in exploring the knowledge Aboriginal Peoples hold about the planets and understanding its cultural and scientific significance.

Possible Overarching Question: What knowledge do Aboriginal people hold about the planets, and how does it affect life on Earth?

Step by step guide

• Step 1: Introduction and Gallery Walk

• Step 2: Think Puzzle Explore Thinking routine

• Step 3: Reflection through class discussion

Required Resources:

• Teacher Support Material

• Planet Statements and Images (print and place around the classroom prior to lesson)

• Think Puzzle Explore template

• Discussion Question Cards about Planets

Step 1: Introduction and Gallery Walk

Begin by introducing the overarching question, prompting students to keep this question in mind during the Gallery Walk.

Provide students with two different colour sticky notes. One colour for observations (e.g., what stands out or what do they notice) and one colour for questions (e.g., what they are curious about or want to explore further).

Students walk around the classroom, observing the images and statements. As they do, they record their observations and questions on the sticky notes and place them near the corresponding image or statement.

Step 2: Think Puzzle Explore Thinking routine

Partner sharing prompt: after the Gallery Walk, have students pair up to share what they noticed and questioned.

Possible prompts:

• What stood out to you most about the planets or stories?

• What questions do you have about Aboriginal knowledge of the planets?

Introduce the Think Puzzle Explore thinking routine to help students organise and expand their thinking based on the Gallery Walk. Explain that this thinking routine is designed to activate prior knowledge, generate curiosity, and prepare them for deeper exploration.

This can be completed as a whole class, small groups or individually.

Step 3: Reflection through class discussion

Bring students together to share insights and questions from the Gallery Walk and Thinking Routine. The following questions could help facilitate a class discussion:

• Do you know of any planets that are significant in Aboriginal stories? What are some of the stories associated with these planets?

• What significance do celestial bodies like planets hold in Aboriginal cultures?

• What can today’s scientists learn from these knowledge systems?

These discussion questions can be printed for small group use.