5th Grade Noongar Natural Elements Dreaming Stories Lesson Plan

Topic: Noongar Natural Elements & Dreaming Stories

Objectives & Outcomes

• Understand the importance of natural elements to the Noongar people.
• Understand the meaning and importance of dreaming stories in Noongar culture

Materials

• Images of natural elements (e.g. trees, rocks, water)
• Examples of dreaming stories
• Handout with questions for reflection activities

Warm-Up

• Have students close their eyes and take a few deep breaths to clear their minds.
• Ask them to imagine a place where they feel safe and comfortable. What does this place look like? What do they see, hear, smell, feel?
• Have them share their experiences with a partner, adding to the description as they go.
• Then, ask them to think about the Noongar people and their connection to the land. What do they know about the natural elements in Noongar culture?

Direct Instruction

• Show the pictures or videos of Noongar dreaming stories.
• Ask students to describe what they see in each picture or video.
• Explain that the natural elements are very important to the Noongar people, and they are often represented in dreaming stories.
• Ask students to name some of the natural elements, and write their answers on the board.
• Share some examples of Noongar dreaming stories and how they are connected to the natural elements.
• Ask students to share any other Noongar dreaming stories they know.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of Noongar dreaming stories.
• Have students read the stories and identify which natural element is represented in each story.
• Have students share their findings with the class.
• Ask students to think about a time when a natural element played a significant role in their lives or in the lives of their family.
• Have students share their stories with the class.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one of the Noongar dreaming stories and create a visual representation of the story.
• Students can use a variety of mediums, such as drawing, painting, collage, or 3D modeling, to represent their story.
• Once students have completed their projects, have them present their work to the class.

Closure

• Review the main concepts learned in the lesson, such as the importance of natural elements in Noongar dreaming stories.
• Have students reflect on their own connection to nature and how they can take care of the natural elements in their own lives.

Assessment

• Observe students during the group and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the concepts taught in the lesson.
• Collect and review students' drawings and written stories for accuracy and understanding of the natural element being portrayed.