Features of places
HSIE geography
Students explore the Royal National Park to observe natural and human features of places and understand how people are connected to the environment. Through hands-on, sensory activities and bushwalks, students develop a deeper awareness of the landscape and their role in caring for it. The program fosters curiosity, observation skills, and respect for Aboriginal Peoples connection to Country.
Site options
| 10:00 | Introduction and Acknowledgement of Country (crunch and sip and toilets if needed) |
| 10:20 | Engage with place through sensory awareness activities, such as matching colours in nature, creating ephemeral art using natural materials, going on a mirror walk and using senses to observe the natural environment |
| 11:20 | Listen to a Dharawal Dreaming story relevant to the site they visit |
| 11:30 | Recess and toilets |
| 11:50 | Learn about Aboriginal plant uses and seasons on a bushwalk |
| 12:20 | Compare human and natural features and complete a class tally of features |
| 12:50 | Lunch and toilets |
| 1:20 | Examine natural features through an invertebrate search, crab searching and/or bird watching (site dependant) |
| 1:40 | Use natural materials to create a nature map of the day’s journey |
| 2:00 | Conclusion and depart |
* There may be variations to timetable based on specific location, group size and weather
Tier 2:
responsibility, protect, respect, observe, evidence, impact, environment, river bank
Tier 3:
sustainability, custodianship, Connection to Country, Traditional Knowledge, built feature, waterways, catchment, ecosystem, habitat, invertebrates, pollution.
Geography K-6 Syllabus (2015)
Outcomes
- Students describe features of places and the connections people have with places GE1-1
- Students identify ways in which people interact with and care for places GE1-2
- Students communicate geographical information and use geographical tools for inquiry GE1-3
Content
Features of places
Students:
-
investigate features of places and how they can be cared for, for example: (ACHGK005)
- description of the natural and human features of places
- discussion of the natural features of places identified in Aboriginal Dreaming stories and/or Legends of the Torres Strait
- consideration of how a place can be cared for e.g. a park, farm, beach, bushland
HSIE K-6 Syllabus (2024)
People are connected to places and groups
Outcomes
- describes interactions between Aboriginal Peoples and Country HS1-ACH-01
- describes ways people connect to and care for places, water environments and each other, using geographical information HS1-GEO-01
Content
Aboriginal Peoples have a responsibility to Country
- Describe ways in which Aboriginal Peoples use Knowledge of land, water and sky Country in everyday life
- Recognise Aboriginal Peoples’ responsibility to Country can incorporate physical, spiritual and Cultural connections
People care for Australia's water environments
- Observe and describe natural and human features of Australian rivers, lakes, beaches and oceans by collecting and representing data
- Locate and describe freshwater and saltwater bodies in Australia
- Compare the ways people use water environments in Australia by posing questions to collect data
- Explain how people can use and care for water responsibly
- Identify ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples value water Country and Place
People engage in active citizenship by working together to care for places and each other
- Participate in the school or local community by caring for places and others
"It consolidated everything we had learnt and enhanced their understanding of Aboriginal connection to places."