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Indigenous perspectives

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Indigenous perspective ‘pilot’ in Western Australia

We depend on plants for the oxygen we breathe, many foods, fibres, building materials, medicines and fuels, and for the pleasures of beautiful flowers. Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, conservation of natural habitats and gardening all require an understanding of plants. The Plants in action unit is an ideal way to link science with literacy in the classroom. Students' beliefs about flowering plants will be challenged as they work through hands-on activities. Students will develop a sense of wonder and appreciation of plants as they investigate the process of germination, the stages in a plant's life cycle and what plants need for growth.

Unit at a glance (PDF)
Unit outcomes (PDF)
Unit overview (PDF) (DOC)
Indigenous perspective framework (PDF)
Equipment lists (PDF)
Assessment resources
Resource sheets
Indigenous curriculum links
Factual and narrative texts
Useful websites
Other

Assessment resources

In Primary Connections units, assessment is an ongoing and embedded process which enhances learning.

Recording and reporting tools included are:

1 2 3

Assessment checklists (PDF) (DOC) Assessment rubrics (PDF) (DOC) Science journal/work sample tags (PDF) (DOC)

These tools provide only a snapshot of the variety of assessment and reporting methods that can be used in conjunction with Primary Connections.

Resource sheets

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Plant life stages jumble (PDF) Information note for families (PDF) (RTF) Garden Buddy’s visit task list (PDF) (RTF) Observation record: Exploring seeds (PDF) (RTF) Procedure: Bean seed germination (PDF) (RTF) Cross section of a flower (PDF) From flowers to fruit (PDF) Plant growth investigation planner (PDF) (RTF) Procedure jumble: Bean seed germination (PDF) (RTF) Role badges (PDF) (RTF)

Indigenous curriculum links

• Teaching and learning guide
• NOTE: Acacia seeds for lessons 3 and 7 may take 2 to 6 weeks to germinate.

Lesson 1: What goes where? (PDF)
Session 1: Plant life stages jumble

• Use plant items from relevant Indigenous native flowering plants for the ‘mystery box’ activity. See www.anbg.gov.au/anbg/aboriginal-trail.html for information on native flowering plants including descriptions, illustrations, locations and references to their uses.
  
  
• Use a placemat or Y chart to record students’ observations about what plant items look like, feel like and smell like. Add to the class science journal.
  
  
• Make leaf shaped coloured cards to record Indigenous plant names and add to the word wall.

Session 2: Garden Buddies (optional)

• Use Australian native animal soft toys as Garden Buddies to add relevance.
  
  
• Organise for students to explore the local environment with the Garden Buddy. See www.dreamtime.net.au/teachers/hints.cfm for hints and protocols on establishing links with local Indigenous communities.
  
  
• Set up a plant trail in the school grounds, including plant labels with information on scientific, common and Indigenous plant names.
  
  
• Set up a plant press. Collect, press and mount pressings or photographs of Indigenous plants to add to the word wall.
  
  
• Research the uses of plants by Indigenous Australians and other cultures. See Clarke, Phillip A. (2007) Aboriginal People and Their Plants, Dural, NSW: Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltd. www.anbg.gov.au/aborig.s.e.aust/index.html and http://museumvictoria.com.au/pages/3286/Twined-Together-post-visit.pdf

Lesson 2: What's inside a seed? (PDF)

• Collect or purchase native seeds. See http://asgap.org.au/seedsupp.html for Australian native seed suppliers, including those which supply small amounts to schools.
  
  
• Provide tactile opportunities. Compare bean seeds and native seeds. Discuss similarities and differences and record observations in a Venn diagram.
  
  
• Explore native seed collection methods and propagation. See www.anbg.gov.au/PROPGATE/plant01.htm



• Use native seeds to create bookmarks, cards or a class mural.
  
  
• Use native seeds to make gumnut creatures and write a creature narrative.
  

Lesson 3: Bean seed germination (PDF)

• Germinate native seeds and compare growth with bean seeds. See www.anbg.gov.au/PROPGATE/germinat.htm
  
  Safety note: Some native seeds, for example, acacia seeds, require soaking in near boiling water prior to germination.
  
  
• Research conditions that affect native seed germination for example, smoking, heating, soaking and scarification. Ask students to predict why native seeds require these conditions. See http://asgap.org.au/seed.html
  
  
• Research fire management and firestick farming for plant regeneration. See http://members.ozemail.com.au/~mmichie/engag_envir.htm

Lesson 4: Flowers and pollination (PDF)

• Explore native plants, for example, the yam daisy.
  
  
• Explore Indigenous names for native plants and add to the word wall. See www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt/royal_botanic_gardens/tours_education/self-guided_tours/aboriginal_walk
  
  
• Explore the role of native bees in the process of pollination of native plants: www.zeta.org.au/~anbrc/beesinyourarea.html

Lesson 5: Flowers, fruits and seeds (PDF)

• Research the role emus and other native animals play in the dispersal of native seeds.
  
  
• Explore bush foods. See www.anbg.gov.au/education/bush-food/Canberra-Times-Bushfoods.pdf for information, recipes and activities on all aspects of bush tucker (includes colour photos).
  
  
• Explore bush tucker and diet, a comparison of contemporary and traditional Indigneous foods. See www.det.wa.edu.au/education/abled/apac/lessons/pdfs/APAC154.pdf
  
  
• Explore Aboriginal plant use and technology, including the use of plants to create crafts, tools, medicines and food. See www.anbg.gov.au/education/pdfs/aborigainal_plant_use_and_technology.pdf
  

Lesson 6: Patterns in plants (PDF)

• Conduct the 'Patterns in plants' lesson using native seeds. Include a photo-story in the options for students to represent the early stages of plant growth.
  
  
• Discuss the wattle plant, Australia's floral emblem, and Indigenous use of wattles. See www.anbg.gov.au/education/pdfs/aboriginal-use-of-wattles-2006.pdf
  
  
• Discuss the role of storytelling and narratives in Indigenous culture. See www.dreamtime.net.au/dreaming/index.htm for information and stories, for example, the 'Red Waratah story'.
  

Lesson 7: Investigating conditions for plant growth (PDF)

• Organise for students to work in cooperative learning teams to plan and set up an investigation of conditions that affect native plant growth, for example, smoking, heating, soaking and scarification. Note: native seeds might take 2 to 6 weeks to germinate.
  
  

Lesson 8: Plant life cycle (PDF)

• Use story telling, creative writing and role-play to demonstrate understanding of native plants and bush tucker, for example, 'The drought made me sick' by Willy the wonderful wattle. See www.anbg.gov.au/education/bush-food/Canberra-Times-Bushfoods.pdf
  
  
• See http://science.uniserve.edu.au/school/quests/nativeplants.html for the Internet Web Quest on Aboriginal use of native plants: 'Our Indigenous Garden'.

Factual and narrative texts

Factual texts:

Plants
McEvoy, Paul (Go facts level 2: Plants set, Blake Publishing, 2002, 24pp)
ISBN: 1 86509 458 7

Flowers
McEvoy, Paul (Go facts level 2: Plants set, Blake Publishing, 2002, 24pp)
ISBN: 1 86509 459 5

Trees
McEvoy, Paul (Go facts level 2: Plants set, Blake Publishing, 2002, 24pp)
ISBN: 1 86509 460 9

Plants as food
McEvoy, Paul (Go facts level 2: Plants set, Blake Publishing, 2002, 24pp)
ISBN: 1 86509 461 7

Teaching guide
Munn, Kara (Go facts level 2: Plants set, Blake Publishing, 2002, 32pp)
ISBN: 1 86509 462 5

Flowers, fruits and seeds
Morgan, Sally (Looking at plants series, Belitha Press, 2002, 32pp)
ISBN: 1 84138 432 1

Plants and life
Morgan, Sally (Looking at plants series, Belitha Press, 2002, 32pp)
ISBN: 1 84138 434 8

Plants and people
Morgan, Sally (Looking at plants series, Belitha Press, 2002, 32pp)
ISBN: 1 84138 435 6

The life of a broad bean
Hibbert, Clare (Life cycles series, Harcourt Education Ltd, 2004, 32pp)
ISBN: 1 844 43314 5

The life of a sunflower
Hibbert, Clare (Life cycles series, Harcourt Education Ltd, 2004, 32pp)
ISBN: 1 844 43305 6

The private life of plants
Attenborough, David (BBC Worldwide Ltd, 2003, DVD or Video Cassette)

Narrative texts:

The story of rosy dock
Baker, Jeannie (A Mark McLeod Book, Random House Australia, 1995)
ISBN: 0 09 182811 2
The story of rosy dock is set is in the central Australian desert, and describes the spread of an introduced plant from its place in one garden to becoming the dominant feature of the whole landscape.

Weslandia
Fleischman, Paul (Walker Books, 1999, 40pp)
ISBN: 0744 540 992
One summer vacation, Wesley decides to create his own civilization and there begins the world of Weslandia. Wesley grows a garden and makes his own food, clothes, games and language.  

Islands in my garden
Howes, Jim; illustrated by Harvey, Roland (Roland Harvey Books, 1998)
ISBN: 0 949714 52 6
Islands in my garden explores life on a microcosmic level in a suburban back yard.
 
Mrs Millie’s painting
Ottley, Matt (Hodder Children’s Books, 1997)
ISBN: 0 7336 0188 X
Mrs Millie loves flowers, but has no garden of her own. She grows geraniums in pots on the window sill, and paints pictures of exotic plants. One night, Mrs Millie and her pet Socrates embark on a magical journey.

Amelia Ellicott’s garden
Stafford, Liliana (Scholastic, 2000)
ISBN: 1 87628 933 3 
Amelia Ellicott has a large garden, which she shares only with her cat. One day a storm blows the garden away and Amelia’s neighbours help her to build a new garden, and a new community.

The paradise garden
Thompson, Colin (Random House Australia, 1998)
ISBN: 0 22404 632 2
Peter escapes from his troubled life by going to live in his idealised, paradise garden.

Useful websites

Australian National Botanic Gardens
Information about Australian plants, botany, horticulture, and the lives of famous botanists.

Other

The life cycle of flowering plants (Interactive crossword puzzle)
© 2005 Department of Education, Science and Training and EduPuzzle.

Botanical drawing images

AcaciaMelanoxylon	AcaciaPodalyriifolia
EucalyptusGlobulus	EucryphiaLucida

(Click on image for a larger version. To save the image, right-click on the larger version, choose 'Save picture as', and save the image in a location of your choice.)

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