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Page 2 Downunder Literature © 2009
Australian Book Traveller — The Guide Book
©Michelle Morrow 2009 (Updated 2013)
Published by Homeschooling Downunder
27 Russell Street Cardiff NSW 2285
www.homeschoolingdownunder.com
Cover Design: Bethany Morrow
Special thanks to Nicole Crouch who gave suggestions and helped with the
art ideas in this book. To Bernie Meyers who allowed me to use her relief print
art lesson in Travel Guide Nine. To Margaret Taylor for her supportive
encouragement and assistance with editing. To Susan Priolo who has blessed
the Australian homeschool movement enormously by providing a forum for
us to share our ideas and resources. To Mary Collis who believed in what I
was doing and spurred me on. And of course to my husband and children who
have put up with me working away on the computer putting this resource
together.
This ebook is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy-ing, recording or otherwise without prior permission. This resource has been provided at a low cost to make it accessible to all. Please do not illegally reproduce copies. If this resource has been purchased at the home price it is licensed for one fam-ily only. The school price gives permission for multi-use within the facility for which it was pur-chased. The author has made every reasonable effort to identify and contact the authors or owners of copyright materials included in this book and to attribute authorship. Where this has not occurred, authors or owners are invited to contact the book author or the publisher.
All enquiries to Homeschooling Downunder
Contents
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page 3
Table of Contents Page
Introduction 4
Travel Tips — How to Make the Most of Your Journey 5
Travel Guide One for Are We There Yet? 11
Travel Guide Two for Magic Boomerang 15
Travel Guide Three for Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay 24
Travel Guide Four for Alexander’s Outing 29
Travel Guide Five for A Year on Our Farm 34
Travel Guide Six for Daniel the Devil 39
Travel Guide Seven for You and Me Murrawee 42
Travel Guide Eight for My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day 47
Australian Book Traveller
Page 4 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Australian Book Traveller –The Guide Book
Introduction
“Children and books go together in a special way. I can’t imagine any pleasure greater than bring-
ing to the uncluttered, supple mind of a child the delight of knowing the many rich things God has given us
to enjoy. Parents have this wonderful privilege, and books are their keenest tools. Children don’t stumble
onto good books by themselves; they must be introduced to the wonder of words put together in such a way
that they spin out pure joy and magic.” Gladys Hunt— Honey for a Child’s Heart © 1969
Australian Book Traveller is a unit study that will help you guide your children* towards a love
of good books. Snuggled up, reading together on the couch you begin your Australian tour. You
are the travel guide. The books are the transport. The children are the tourists. The journey is
ahead. With each unit study you will open their eyes to different aspects of Australia as you cover
Social Studies (Human Society and its Environment), Science and Art. Witness with delight, as
their knowledge of Australia’s culture and heritage blossoms in a very natural way.
Eight Australian picture books have been chosen as the core Travel Books. These books are the
starting point of the unit studies. Each varies in its flavour, art and location. The books were
chosen for their educational, literary and artistic merit. There are true tales, legends, fiction and
factual stories. Every story has something special to share with your child that will enrich their
experience of Australia.
This resource is suitable for teaching one child or multiple children. The core travel books are
aimed at children aged 5-9. Younger children will also enjoy listening to the read-alouds and may
like to participate in some of the activities. For older primary children (aged 10-12) who want to
participate we have an Optional Extension that corresponds with the unit studies.
With this program you will have covered your Social Studies, Science and Art for the week. Add
some English and maths and you will have all the key learning areas.
Australian Book Traveller can be a whistle-stop tour over 8 weeks or a thorough exploration
spread over the year.
Australian Book Traveller was inspired by Jane Claire Lambert‘s Five in a Row series.
*For ease of reading I will refer to children even though this resource is suitable for using with only one child.
Travel Tips
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page 5
Travel Tips—How to Make the Most of Your Journey
Collect your travel books.
Each book is a separate unit study in its own right. The eight core travel
books work their way around Australia and each one focuses on a
different geographical location. If possible study Are We there Yet? first. For
the rest of the travel books you can change the order if desired. If you
cannot locate a book try using a book from the suggested reading list.
Our Sunburnt Country will often be used as a reference in many of the travel guides. This book
can be purchased from Homeschooling Downunder.
Tourist Trip around Australia—Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester
Northern Territory—Magic Boomerang by Mark Greenwood
Queensland—Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay by Narelle Oliver
New South Wales (Sydney) —Alexander’s Outing by Pamela Allen
Victoria—A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews
Tasmania—Daniel the Devil by Steve & Marion Isham
South Australia—You and Me Murrawee by Kerri Hashmi
Western Australia—Grandad Marches on Anzac Day by Catriona Hoy
Accessing books
I recommend that you try to find suggested books at a library. If you can’t find the books locally
then check out Libraries Australia’s great online facility Trove. This website will help to find
your desired books all over the country and do an interlibrary loan.
Think ahead and gather the books you are going to study in advance so they are there when you
want them. My library has an excellent online catalogue that makes looking for and reserving
books easy.
If you want to buy all the books it will become very expensive and not all of the book suggestions
are still in print.
Australian Book Traveller
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Navigation—Australia Traveller’s Map
To navigate your reading travels you will need the Australian Traveller’s
Map . This map will be invaluable to your study. While book travelling
through each location children will become familiar with the geography
of Australia. They will learn about states, territories and Australia’s
famous landmarks.
Distances from place to place will be easier to see as they chart their reading travels. If you are
marking your journey on your map remember that dots are far easier to apply than a continuous
line, which no matter how hard you try never stays within the boundary lines.
This map is not limited to the unit study. Use it for other aspects of your children’s learning as
you locate your home and other places you have been or books you have read. Make up your
own map markers for these places.
A general atlas, Google Maps and Google Earth can really help your children get a perspective of
Australia. After seeing the Google Earth image of Australia you will understand the term ‘Red
Centre’. I have found this resource really helps our family visualise where we are going.
http://earth.google.com/
The Australia Traveller’s Map is an artist’s impression and not a navigational aid. Only one map is
needed for the study but if you would like a map for each child they can be purchased separately
from Homeschooling Downunder.
Downunder Geography and Discovery Pages
This resource provides a way to make the most of your Australian Traveller’s Map Journal and
helps your kids delve a little deeper into Australia’s physical geography. Purchase this reusable
ebook through Homeschooling Downunder.
It provides:
A map checklist for each state, ACT and NT
Hands-on activities as they mark in major rivers and cut and paste their map markers.
Notebooking pages for significant Australian geographic topics.
Travel Notebook
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page 7
Travel Notebook
To make a record of your learning adventure I suggest starting a
notebook. It can be as simple as you like, or as grand as you can
imagine. Many homeschooling families report that notebooking is
a great encouragement for them. When they look back on
previous notebooks they are proud of what they have done. I
know my own children especially enjoy reviewing past notebooks and showing them to relatives.
Notebooking has such potential for individuality and versatility. It is not limited to the textbook
or worksheet, but to what has captured the child’s interest or what the child knows. As they
create their notebooking pages they learn. As they record their information they discover and
make a reference for the future. Notebooking is a skill and an art which gives a sense of
accomplishment, with a stamp of originality. It offers a vehicle for collecting a range of ideas and
subjects and melding them into a treasured testimony of their learning journey.
Your children’s notebook can be in the form of a clear sleeved folder or display folder. After
studying a topic they can make an entry into their notebook about some fact they have learned
(you might have to be the scribe for the younger ones). They can paste in pictures or add their
own artwork. Encourage them to label the pictures or refer to them in their writings. The pages
could include a picture of the book cover, narrations, state maps, field trip accounts, poems,
songs, recipes, newspaper articles, fashions, photos, a timeline and personal reflections.
For free colouring-in pages of Australian floral emblems see our website.
http://www.homeschoolingdownunder.com/freedownloads/wildflower.pdf.
How To Use Your Travel Guides
For each travel book I have provided you with some Travel Guide notes for discussion and fur-
ther study. There are more ideas given than you can do in a week. You don’t need to cover every-
thing suggested. They are meant to be flexible and used as an inspiration, so that you can follow
the child’s interests. If you can think of any other activities or field trips that might complement
the book you are reading (and you want to do them) plan them into your schedule.
After each reading (and sometimes during), try to introduce the topics in a natural conversational
way. You can listen to the children’s interest and see what sparks their imagination. With a few
Australian Book Traveller
Page 8 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
questions you can usually guide children towards the planned study topic.
Ask open-ended questions and try to get them thinking and talking.
Unit studies weave a web of connections and don’t always fall into neatly
packaged subjects. I have tried to compartmentalise to help you structure
your lesson but you will find the topics chosen overlap at times, or lead you towards another
subject. This is all part of the learning journey. At other times a travel book clearly illustrates a
theme or topic that doesn’t fit into our subject areas but I put it in anyway; it was too good an op-
portunity to miss.
Social Studies* is a broad topic covering history, geography, culture, politics, family life and
more. In this ebook we have dabbled into social study topics as they arise from the travel book. It
is not an ‘everything you need to know’ Social Studies unit.
Picture books are often the first steps into reading for our children. As we read stories our
children ‘read’ the pictures. The illustrations in many good books are an essential part of the
story. With each travel book we examine the pictures, illustrator’s style and try out some art
techniques and mediums that the illustrator used.
Some aspect of science, nature or technology is covered in each unit study. For this age group we
do not need to get too technical with details. Ask questions and see what they know and what has
captured their interest. You might know enough about a particular topic to just discuss it with
your child. That’s great! Sometimes in my enthusiasm I lose my children’s interest because I
myself become thirsty for knowledge. Try not to make my mistake. At other times you might
want to do a little extra research or read from another book. You, as the parent, can guide them in
this.
Further Exploration
On your travel guide you will see page references for Our Sunburnt Country (OSC) with some
topics. For example: (More Info OSC p. 10-12) would mean “For more information see Our Sun-
burnt Country pages 10—12.”
With each Travel Guide there are some suggested reading books. These are related to the Travel
Guide because of the location or topic.
Follow the internet links if provided for more information that focuses on the location or topic
being covered in the Travel Book.
Further Exploration
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page 9
The optional extension ideas can also be used for younger children for a
more in-depth study.
For more information search out your own resources.
Suggested Itinerary
Prior to the first reading with your children I recommend you read through the unit study and
make a plan. Read to your children from the selected book at the commencement of each lesson.
For the short books you can usually read the whole book every time. The benefit of this is accu-
mulative. Repeated readings encourage a deeper understanding of the story, appreciation of the
art and give revision from the previous day’s lesson. With your guidance children will begin to
think critically and appreciate many facets of the book.
Australian Book Traveller can be completed in 8 weeks or spread over the year
if you choose to linger with a unit study. You set the timetable to suit your
needs.
Optional Extension
As a guideline the optional extension is for older primary children (aged 10 —13).
To complement the Travel Guides we have given some Extension Readers. These books are longer
than the travel books and can be used as a read-alone text. They do not always fit the travel book
perfectly but they are linked to the unit study in some way. Older children should read the travel
book at least once. They should be able to participate in the other discussions and activities. They
can then read through their extension readers at another time.
There are no extra Travel Guide notes for the optional extension readers but I would like to offer
you a few suggestions to enhance their Australian studies:
Ask for a narration from your children about the extension reader. This is a wonderful
technique to check your children’s comprehension of the story. This simply involves the
children repeating the story back in their own words either orally or written .
An Australian Timeline is an excellent tool to help your children see the chronological order
of events. It is best that they make it for themselves. As they discover dates for different
events they record them on the timeline. The timeline can be added to their notebook.
Australian Book Traveller
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A family history might be something your children will find interesting.
Trace back your ancestors and see where they fit into history. Our family
went back to the convicts. If you don’t have an Australian family tree this
might not work so well for this topic but it is a worthwhile exercise never-
theless.
During the course of the Australian Book Traveller have them read through the book Our
Sunburnt Country. Our Sunburnt Notes can be used for written narrations, chapter
summaries or interesting facts gleaned from the chapters.
If you are looking for more ideas some of the extension readers have online teacher’s notes
from other sources and I have provided the web link .
Things You Need Before You Start
Australia Traveller’s Map
Our Sunburnt Country by Arthur Baillie
Downunder Geography Discovery Pages (optional)
Notebook
Coloured pencils or felt markers, glue and scissors
General Atlas (for lesson one)
Internet access or general facts book on Australia
If you are planning on using the floral emblem colouring-in pages, print these off also.
Travel Guide One
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Travel Guide One—Are We There Yet?
A Journey Around Australia
About the Travel Book
Author and illustrator: Alison Lester
Awards: Books I Love Best Yearly (BILBY)—Early Readers—Short-listed 2007
Kids Own Australia Literature Award (KOALA)—Picture Book. Winner 2006
Young Australia Best Book Award (YABBA)—Picture Book. Winner 2006
CBC Book of the Year—Picture Book Winner 2005
Nielsen Book Data Booksellers Choice Award Short-listed 2004
Publisher Details: Penguin © 2004 ISBN 9780670880676
Book Summary: A family sets off on a three month trip around Australia. They see all the sites
you would expect them to see. The story is told by Grace, one of the children on the trip.
Simple Lesson Ideas
The first reading may take longer than expected—it has lots of little gems hidden in the pages.
Social Studies
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere. It is often labelled as being a part of the Oceania
region. It is the biggest island in the world but the smallest continent. It shares no land borders
with any other country.
Australia’s closest neighbours are Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, and
New Zealand.
It is the sixth largest nation but has a relatively small population of around 23 000 000 (the USA
state of California has a population of approximately 38 000 000).
This book is a quick overview of Australian geography via the tourist route.
Australian Book Traveller
Page 12 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Map Work
Briefly orientate them to the Australia Traveller’s Map.
Find where you live (if you don’t live in Australia use a world map for this).
See if the children can locate any places they might know on the map.
Discuss Canberra as the Capital of Australia. (See OSC p111-114)
Trace with your finger the family’s travel route.
You could look at a map of another country in an atlas e.g. England or New Zealand, and show
why it takes so long to work your way around Australia.
Place the map markers onto your map.
Australia Flag
Stamp with floral emblem for Australia—The Golden Wattle.
ACT Floral Emblem
ACT Flag
Caravan Map
On the first page there is a layout of the caravan. The children can draw a simple layout of their
bedroom or of their house. This does not need to be done to scale unless the child is particularly
interested.
Tourism
Money comes into Australia when tourists from other countries come to visit. The trip that this
family does is a popular trip done by Australian and international visitors. Many tourists
thinking of coming to Australia want to see everything in a small amount of time. Why is this so
hard for them to do? If you only had 10 days for a holiday, what would you like to see ?
Place Names
Why do you think these places were given the following names?
The Great Australian Bight—was it a really a giant’s bite?
Snowy Mountains
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The Blue Mountains (The Three Sisters)
Wave Rock
Pinnacles
The Great Ocean Road
Surfers Paradise
The Valley of Winds
Squeaky Beach
Cradle Mountain.
Art
Art Medium: Watercolour and ink
Rock Paintings and Uluru
How do you think the paintings were put on the rocks many years ago?
Uluru is known for appearing to change colour as the different light strikes it at different times of
the day and year, with sunset a particularly remarkable sight. The rock is made of sandstone
infused with minerals that reflect the red light of sunrise and sunset, making it appear to glow.
Experiment with watercolours and see how the artist uses different colours to show different
times of day.
The Sea
Look at the sea pictures in Are We There Yet? Make your own sea picture.
Science
Climate, Weather and Season
There are different climates in Australia from the tropical rainforests top end, to the heat of the
desert, to the Alpine regions of the Snowy Mountains and Tasmania.
Nearly 70% of Australia’s land is desert or semi arid.
Australian Book Traveller
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Australia’s interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and it’s the driest inhabited conti-
nent. Drought, floods, bushfires and cyclones are all natural hazards which occur throughout the
country.
Seasons in Australia
When European settlers came to Australia they brought with them the calendar with four seasons
of equal length. This may have suited the small temperate island in the Northern Hemisphere
with its fairly predictable seasonal pattern, but it did not match our Southern Hemisphere Aus-
tralian climates.
The Australian aboriginals understood these seasonal changes and this knowledge was essential
to their survival. In northern Australia six seasons are now recognised and all based around the
wet and dry weather pattern. Similarly, in the southern parts of Australia, a six seasonal pattern
is being used by many naturalists. They are early spring, true spring, early summer, late summer,
autumn and winter.
Naturalists define these seasonal changes when natural events clustered into bursts of flowering,
or changed animal behaviour. We can also look and teach our children to look for these natural
timelines as we record those events.
Discuss the equator and the tropics—why “the further north we travelled the hotter it be-
came”? Why is the desert hot during the day and cold at night?
Ocean currents—what are they?
Migration of Whales
Why might they see whales at this time of year?
Sun safety
What do they need in order to slip, slop, slap ? Why?
Environmental factors
Windmills and Silos—Your children could research wind power.
How do water, wind and sand shape Wave Rock or the Twelve Apostles?
Why do the trees grow sideways at Geraldton?
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Travel Guide Two—Magic Boomerang
About the Travel Book
Author: Mark Greenwood
Illustrator: Frane Lessac
Publisher Details: Artbeat Publishers ©1994 ISBN 095795512X
Book Summary: Using rhyme, this book visits nine spots in Australia’s outback and wilderness
areas.
Simple Lesson Ideas
Social Studies
The The Northern Territory (NT) is a large region yet it is sparsely populated. People often refer
to this area as the Top End. Ask your child why that may be the name?
The Northern section of NT is a tropical climate with two distinct seasons, wet and dry.
The central area is mostly desert and semiarid and is referred to as The Outback. This term is gen-
eral term referring to isolated, sparsely populated, rural areas of Australia. Other names for the
outback are the Red Centre, Central Australia, Woop Woop, The Never Never, and Back of
Bourke.
More than one third is considered to be in the tropics as it falls within the Tropic of Capricorn.
Map Work
Darwin
Jaibiru—Kakadu National Park
Gulf of Carpentaria
Katherine
Alice Springs.
Tennant Creek
Travel Guide Two
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Alice Springs
Rabbit Flat
Daly Waters
Uluru
States and Territories.
“Territory governments can only be established with the agreement of the Commonwealth. The
Commonwealth law that establishes a territory government will also specify the powers of that
government. It can be given the right to make the same laws that a state can, or they may only be
allowed to make laws on a small number of issues. Territories without their own government can
be instructed by the Commonwealth to follow the laws of a nearby state, or the Commonwealth
can make its own laws for the territory…The confusion between state and territory arises because
the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are often treated like states. These
two territories, along with Norfolk Island, are self-governing territories. In these three cases, the
Commonwealth passed a law allowing each territory to convene a parliament and make their
own laws in a similar manner to the states. Unlike the states, whose powers are defined through
the Constitution, the powers of these territories are defined in the Commonwealth law which
grants them the right of self-government. This also means that the Commonwealth can alter or
revoke these powers at will.” Cited Australian Government Website
Australia presently has ten Territories: the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay; the
Northern Territory; Norfolk Island; Ashmore and Cartier Islands; the Australian Antarctic
Territory; Heard and McDonald Islands; the Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Christmas Island and the
Coral Sea Islands.
Arhnem Land
Arnhem Land is one of the five regions of the Northern Territory of Australia. Flinders, the ex-
plorer, named this area after the Dutch ship Arnhem which explored the coast in 1623. Located in
the north-eastern corner of the territory, 500km from the capital Darwin.
This area has the largest Aboriginal reservation in Australia. The Arnhem Land Reserve was de-
clared in 1931. Today it is almost the only area in Australia where Aboriginal people can live ac-
cording to their own traditions.
Australian Book Traveller
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The first European to go into the interior of Arnhem Land was Ludwig Leichhardt in the 1840s.
Missionaries of various denominations later developed settlements. In the 1960s, miners came to
mine bauxite in the Northern Territory. This development led to the Gove land rights case, and
the 1976 Federal Aboriginal Land Rights Act which granted Aboriginal land rights in the North-
ern Territory. (More info OSC – Mabo p. 135—136)
The Aboriginal people of Arnhem Land receive most of their income from mining royalties, bark
painting and tourism.
Aboriginal Culture (More info OSC p. 9—20)
Aboriginal Languages: The author introduces some Aboriginal words to the reader during the
story. The definitions are in the back of the book. There were over 250 Aboriginal languages in
everyday use when Europeans began to arrive in Australia.
Aboriginal Clans: There are hundreds of Aboriginal clans (tribes) known throughout Australia.
Northeast Arnhem Land is home to the indigenous Yolngu people, one of the largest Indigenous
groups in Australia. They have succeeded in maintaining a vigorous traditional indigenous
culture.
The Burarra people (Nardika’s family) are neighbours of the Dangbon, Nakara and Yolngu
peoples. Even within the Burarra region there are different lifestyles. For example the diet of
coastal groups has an emphasis on seafood while the inland groups have more red meat in their
diet.
What was the custom that Nardika had to observe? He couldn’t cook the fish. He had to eat the
fish last.
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/
Skin names: Aboriginal people may have a number of names. For example, a European first name
and surname, a bush name, a skin name and maybe even a nickname. Personal names are used
less than by English speakers and people are often referred to indirectly or by reference to their
skin names. A skin name is a classification system used by Aboriginal people to determine the
role of that person in their social structure.
Early contact relationships with non-Aboriginal people were rather uncomfortable for Aboriginal
people since it was unheard of for a person not to be ‘something’ (i.e. not to have a skin
classification). At times non-aboriginals have received skin names. This helps the Aboriginal
Travel Guide Two
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
people as they now feel more comfortable dealing with that non-Aboriginal.
Cited: http://www.clc.org.au/People_Culture/kinship/kinship.html
Aboriginal land rights (More info OSC p. 135—136)
The first European to go into the interior of Arnhem Land was Ludwig Leichhardt in the 1840s.
Missionaries of various denominations later developed settlements. In the 1960s, miners came to
mine bauxite in the Northern Territory. This development led to the Gove land rights case, and
the 1976 Federal Aboriginal Land Rights Act which granted Aboriginal land rights in the
Northern Territory. The Arnhem Land Reserve was declared in 1931. Today it is almost the only
area in Australia where Aboriginal people can live according to their own traditions. The Abo-
riginal people of Arnhem Land receive most of their income from mining royalties, bark painting
and tourism.
Sacred Site Uluru
Ayers Rock, named after South Australian Premier Henry Ayres was the name given to ‘The
Rock’ by European settlers. Since the 1980s it has been called Uluru—its Aboriginal name. Uluru
is sacred to the Aborigines. It is also one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions with many
springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings.
Look this place up on Google Earth if you can. The images are excellent.
Corroborees (More info OSC p. 16-19)
A corroboree is a ceremonial performance by Aboriginal people. It tells about The Dreamtime
and is characterised by dance, music and costume. Corroborees can be for different reasons. Some
may simply be a performance for tourists whilst others are sacred initiations in which only a
chosen few can attend.
Inland Explorers and their Aboriginal Guides (More info OSC p. 88-89)
The harsh conditions of the Australian outback were a very difficult terrain for white explorers.
The Aboriginal guides were invaluable in helping the explorers and at times they were their only
hope for staying alive.
Aviation and The Flying Doctors (More info OSC p. 122-125)
The Reverend John Flynn was the founder and superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission
Australian Book Traveller
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of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. He was an advocate for Aboriginals and the founder of
the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). He began the RFDS with the aim of providing medical
care to people who could not reach hospitals or general practitioners. Regular clinics are now
flown out to remote outback communities. The RFDS also provides air ambulance to remote
areas, hospital to hospital transport and telephone and radio consultations.
Charles Todd
In 1872 The Overland Telegraph was completed. This allowed Australia to be connected with the
world. Prior to that news was transported by ships and was very outdated.
Charles Todd was the visionary for this telegraph wire which went from Port Augusta in South
Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory. It then connected with a pre-existing line in Java
which went on to England.
http://dl.screenaustralia.gov.au/module/1012/
Todd’s Telegraph Dream is an excerpt from the film A Wire Through the Heart, the third episode of
the three-part series entitled Constructing Australia, produced in 2007.
Art
Art Medium: Oil and gouache is used for the artwork.
Boomerang
Look at the boomerang on each page. See how it reflects what is happening in the story.
Wildflowers
Frane Lessac has captured the beauty of the Australian outback and wilderness. How many
plants and animals can your children identify?
Body Painting
Aboriginal ceremonial body painting has strict rules. Creativity is still allowed but the nature and
type of painting must be prescribed to suit the person and the ceremony.
The Aboriginals usually paint themselves with ochre and other clays. Ochre is a sandy clay with
an iron oxide base. It varies in colour from brown to red to yellow.
Travel Guide Two
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Rock Carvings (More info OSC p.142)
Rock carving pictures can be found in many parts of Australia. The Bradshaw Rock Paintings in
the Kimberley region are impossible to date because the pigments have been locked into the rock
itself in shades of mulberry red. They are therefore considered to be very old.
Western Desert Art (Dot Painting)
Western Desert Art is a style of painting used by Aboriginals in the desert regions. Dot paintings
today are recognised globally as unique to Australian Aboriginal art. Aboriginal dot paintings
tell a story and often have secret meanings. This painting style arose from the Papunya art
movement in the 1970s when Aboriginal artists began to paint their stories onto canvas. They
paint with circles, spirals, lines, dashes and dots, the traditional visual language of the Western
Desert Aboriginal people. Bright colours are now more common with the use of acrylic paint, but
traditional dot painters used natural pigments such as crushed ochre and seeds.
Make a dot painting
Using a cotton bud, toothpicks and some acrylic paint have the children try to make their own
dot painting. Use a small piece of paper so they don't have to fill in too much. Have them draw
the image with pencil before they begin painting. Some children may find it hard to think of a
design. I suggest for these children you draw a lizard or snake and have them fill in the rest.
Science
Fish Types
Arnhem land is considered to be one of the finest fishing spots in the country. Some of the fish are
Spanish Mackerel, Giant Trevally, Queenfish and Coral Trout.
Travel Guide Two
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Look at some of the different types of fish that exist. Here is a website to help you identify them.
http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/identify/index.cfm
Kakadu National Park
This park adjoins the Aboriginal reservation and draws a large number of tourists to its
remarkable beauty and and rock art. Please read through one of the suggested readers for more
on Kakadu.
Land Care
The Aboriginal people care about their land. They hunt for food and not for fun.
Crocodiles
Crocodiles can be found swimming in the waters around Arnhem land. Aboriginal fishers keep
an eye out for crocodiles whilst in the water.
Bush Tools
What tools could you make from nature?
The Australian Government has this information about bush tools.
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-indigenous-tools-and-
technology
Australian Wildlife and Wildflowers
Australia has often been described as an ‘Island Ark’, a treasure trove of unique flora and fauna.
The koala, kangaroo, wombat and platypus are well known throughout the world. The
Australian outback is full of very well-adapted wildlife, although much of it may not be
immediately visible to the casual observer. Many animals rest during the heat of the day, such as
kangaroos and dingos. Birdlife is prolific, most often seen at waterholes at dawn and dusk. Huge
flocks of budgerigars, cockatoos, corellas and galahs are often sighted. Various species of snakes
and lizards bask in the sun in winter, on bare ground or roads, but they are rarely seen during the
summer months.
Australian Book Traveller
Page 22 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Australia’s wildflowers are suited to their dry climate and difficult conditions. More than twelve
thousand species of wildflowers are found in this country. Six thousand of those can be found in
the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. Dryandra, a flowering shrub that is
similar to a banksia is found there. Extinct everywhere else these plants are described as “living
fossils” because their leaf type has been found in fossils.
Introduced Species to Australia (More info OSC p. 134)
Feral camels thrive in central Australia. Their ancestors were brought to Australia by the early
Afghan drivers. In fact there are more wild camels in Australian than in the countries they
originally came from. Wild horses known as brumbies, are station horses that have run wild.
Feral pigs, foxes, goats, cats and rabbits are also imported animals that destroy the environment.
Time and money is spent eradicating them, to help protect fragile rangelands.
The Dingo or Dog Fence and Rabbit Proof Fence
The Dingo Fence is the world’s longest fence (5,320 km). It is longer than the Great Wall of China.
It was originally built in the 1880s to keep dingos out of south east Australia and protect sheep
flocks in southern Queensland. It was only partly successful!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingo_Fence
In 1907, the rabbit-proof fence was built in Western Australia, between Cape Keraudren (near
Broome) and Esperance to try to control the rabbit population.
Suggested Reading
When I Was Little Like You by Mary Malbunka ©2003
Mary Malbunka shares the story of her childhood, growing up in the Papunya settlement in
central Australia. Young readers will be entertained by Malbunka's tales of playing, exploring,
hunting and daily life. They will also be educated about traditional Aboriginal culture and
lifestyle, and some of the ways that lifestyle has been affected by the white man's world.
Sand Swimmers—The Secret Life of Australia’s Dead Heart by Narelle Oliver © 1999
Narelle Oliver uses Charles Sturt’s concept of an inland sea as a metaphor for the desert terrain.
She shows how the desert is filled with animals and plants adapted to this harsh environment.
The story compares Sturt’s experience of the desert with the Aboriginals experience. It examines
Travel Guide Two
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
the salt lakes, mulga scrub, life underground, gibber plains, sandhills, spinifex, clay pans and the
nocturnal activities of the desert dwellers.
Note. There is one reference to millions of years in the first few pages.
The Outback by Annaliese Porter. Illustrator: Bronwyn Bancroft ©2008
Annaliese Porter was only eight years old when she wrote this award winning poem about The
Outback. Bronwyn Bancroft was inspired to illustrate the poem.
Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo by Alison Lester
Ernie moves with his family to the outback Oenpelli Community of Gunbalanya, in Arnhem
Land, Northern Territory, for a year. He writes home to his friends about his experiences. He
learns that they are studying the exact place in which he is living. Follow Ernie’s adventures with
his six new friends. The story is based on the author, Alison Lester’s visit to the community.
My Home in Kakadu by Jane Christopherson
Through the eyes of her grandaughter, Tarrah, respected elder Jane Christophersen reveals the
beauty of life in Kakadu and the significance of the changing seasons to those who live there.
Striking illustrations show all the elements of daily life as Tarrah goes bush with her family
gathering fruits, fishing and hunting.
Optional Extension
Extension Book: Walking with the Seasons in Kakadu by Diane Lucas © 2003 Allen & Unwin
Extension Book Summary: This visually stunning book helps children understand the seasonal
calendar of the Gundjeihmi-speaking people of Kakadu. Six seasons are mentioned along with
their characteristics. It closely observes the birds, plants and animals that inhabit the unique
environment of Kakadu.
Online Teacher’s Notes
http://www.allenandunwin.com/_uploads/BookPdf/TeachersNotes/9781741144710.pdf
Extension Book: Papunya School Book of Country and History by Nadia Wheatley ©2002
Travel Guide Three
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Travel Guide Three—The Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay
About the Travel Book
Author and illustrator: Narelle Oliver
Awards: Shortlisted for 1994 CBC for Picture Book of the Year.
Publisher Details: Lothian Children’s Books ©1993 ISBN: 9780850916713
Book Summary: A fable set in the mangrove swamps of Queensland. The local birds argue over
who has the best beak in Boonaroo Bay. A competition is declared to find out which beak is really
the best. In the end they realise that there is no “best beak” but that all of the beaks serve a very
special individual purpose.
Simple Lesson Ideas
Critical Thinking
A fable is a short allegorical story or poem that teaches a moral or lesson, using animals, plants,
and inanimate objects with human qualities (personified). Is a parable a fable? No! Parables do
not use personification when teaching the lesson or moral. Children will not always understand
the meaning behind a fable. They may only see the face value of the story. It requires some
thinking to understand the allegorical nature of a fable. Sometimes we need to help them ’read
between the lines’. Start by asking these questions to the child:
• Who do you think has the best beak?
• What did the birds learn from the competition?
• Is this just a story about birds?
What is the moral or lesson in this story?
• It is the differences which make each of us unique. By understanding the reasons for
differences then we can respect those who are different.
• Doing your best can be different from being the best.
For more practice on drawing out the moral of a story use Aesop’s Fables, or the parables of Jesus.
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Page 25 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Social Studies
This story is based on a fictional bay in North Queensland.
Map Work
Locate Queensland on your Australia Traveller’s Map and find:
Brisbane
Great Barrier Reef
Cooktown
Gold Coast
Mt Isa.
Your map markers for this travel book are:
Queensland State Flag
Stamp with floral emblem for Queensland—The Cooktown Orchid.
Place the map markers onto your map.
Lieutenant James Cook (More info p. OSC 35-37)
Cook hits a coral reef as he travels north along the east coast of Australia in his ship the
Endeavour.
Art
Art Medium: Hand coloured lino cuts with added details using watercolour and ink.
Colour Scheme
Look at the pictures in the book. Can you see what was a lino cut print and what was painted?
Look at the colours used in this book. What are the main colours? When print making it is easier
to use a few colours.
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Print Making
Lino cuts are a form of print making. For this age group I wouldn’t recommend attempting a
linocut picture. They are time consuming and require a sharp tool and strength.
Here are some printmaking ideas to use for craft. Remember the image comes out in reverse.
Make Your Own Stamp Shapes.
Make the background for a picture with water colour. When it has dried use stamps to create a
picture. Outline details with ink pen or Texta.
To make an easy stamp pad place a clean sponge into a tray and soak it with paint. Use stamps
you have or make some using shapes cut out of sponge.
Here are some printmaking ideas to use for craft. Remember the image comes out in reverse.
Relief Print
To make a raised print (relief) use a foam meat tray and cut it into small squares about the size of
standard envelope. Draw a picture on the tray with a pencil, nail or skewer. Use a biro to draw
the image directly onto the foam sheet.
The sheet is your ‘lino plate’ and the biro acts as your cutting tool. You don’t have to press
extremely hard, just make moderately firm marks. More adventurous children can use other tools
to make marks in the foam. Experiment with pressing different implements such as cutlery items,
the edge of a ruler, metal earrings etc. If you are using cardboard, you will need to apply more
pressure with the biro while drawing.
Use a small amount of block printing ink or acrylic paint. Using a brayer, roller or paint brush,
spread the ink out evenly and thinly onto the pallet. The key is not to use too much ink/paint so
that it doesn’t clog up the recesses you have drawn into the plate.
Apply the ink/paint sparingly onto the surface of the foam plate. At this stage you should be able
to see the design showing in white and the background will be covered with ink.
Place a sheet of paper which is larger than the foam plate carefully on top of the foam. Taking
care to hold the paper still, use the back of a dessert spoon or Japanese printing baron to rub the
image onto the paper. Don’t press too hard so as to ruin the foam plate or squeeze ink into the
recesses. When you have rubbed the entire surface, carefully peel the paper away to reveal the
printed image. The raised areas of the foam plate will print and the recesses will remain white.
You can re-use the foam plate several times, so don’t be afraid to begin with a small amount of
ink and not too much pressure with the spoon. You can always increase ink and pressure as
needed. The thinner the paper, the easier it is to print an impression.
Children just LOVE the surprise of lifting the paper and seeing their print! The novelty never
seems to wear off.
Special thanks to Artist Bernie Meyers for this idea. http://www.berniemeyers.com/
Australian Book Traveller
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Science
Scientific testing
Hypothesis: The contest was really a way to test each bird’s hypothesis—that that bird had the
best beak.
Method: To test the theory they made a contest. The person who wins the contest had the ‘best
beak’. To avoid bias they tested a variety of food collection methods.
Observation and Data collection: They scored the results.
Conclusion: After examining the data they made a finding. Did it match the hypothesis?
Habitat
What would happen if all the birds ate the same food? Point out how all the birds live together
but they all react with their habitat a little differently. The birds live in a wetland habitat.
Wetlands of Queensland
A wetland is usually a swamp, billabong or mangrove area but can also include rivers, creeks,
lakes, lagoons, estuaries, springs, swamps, and artificial wetlands (i.e. dams).
Wetlands are found throughout Queensland, from the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Penin-
sula in the north, along much of the east coast south to the Gold Coast, and inland to the semi-
arid areas of the south-west.
Cited-http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/wetlandinfo/site/
Bird Beaks
Look at the pictures of the birds and their beaks. Why might all the beaks be different shapes?
Queensland Museum has some good online resources on different bird beaks. Click on the link
below and then search bird beaks.
http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Learning+Resources/Resources
How does the shape of each beak help the bird catch its food?
Travel Guide Three
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
What Bird is That?
Try out our online quiz to see if you know your Australian birds.
Suggested Reading
Flood by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
Publisher Details: Scholastic Press ©2011 ISBN 9781742830728
Book Summary: Based on the recent Queensland floods this story shows what can happen when flood waters rip through a community. The story is told from the perspective a cattle dog sepa-rated from his owners. It is a story of courage and strength.
Shake A Leg By Boori Monty Pryor and Jan Ormerod ©2010
Book Summary: Three young boys meet an Italian speaking aboriginal pizza chef. Surprised that he speaks Italian they talk about his heritage and this leads to some story telling about aboriginal dance, food and culture.
The Road to Goonong by David Cox © 2011
Book Summary: It tells the story of life on an outback farm in a fictional town in Far North Queensland during the Great Depression.
On Country—Stories of Nyrlotte by Fiona Doyle
Publisher Details: University of Queensland Press ©2006 ISBN 9780702235450
Book Summary: This is a short chapter book based on true events. Nyrlotte is an aboriginal girl who lives on the Cape York peninsula in modern times.
Optional Extension
Extension Book: I said nothing; the extinction of the Paradise Parrot by Gary Crew ©2003
Extension Book Summary: Harry lives on a sheep station west of Maryborough in Queensland.
With the visit of Alex Chisholm, Harry learns that it is not only the action of the trappers who
trespass on his lands to catch the wild parrots that endanger the beautiful animals, but that Harry
too might be responsible.
Online Teachers Resource
*These resources are actually for I saw nothing (from the same series) but could be adapted for I
said nothing.
http://www.curriculumpress.edu.au/rel/sustainability/i-saw-nothing.php
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Page 29 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Travel Guide Four—Alexander’s Outing
About the Travel Book
Author and Illustrator: Pamela Allen
Awards: Kidspot Best of Awards 2008—Winner Best Book— Learn to Read
Publisher Details: Puffin Books © 1992 ISBN 9780140554786
Book Summary: Alexander lives with his mother and siblings in the Royal Botanical Gardens
located on Sydney Harbour’s shoreline. Mother duck decides to take the ducklings for a walk
and she tells them to stay close. Alexander does not listen to mother duck and falls down a
hole. Many people try to help him out of the hole. Eventually a little boy finds a solution
and Alexander is rescued.
Simple Lesson Ideas
Social Studies
This story is based in the capital city of New South Wales (NSW), Sydney.
Map Work
Locate NSW on your Australia Traveller’s Map and find:
Sydney
Katoomba in the Blue Mountains
Mount Kosciuszko and the Snowy Mountains
Broken Hill
Dubbo
Wagga Wagga.
Look at the state border between NSW and Victoria. See how it is straight at one end and then
wiggly. That is because the Murray begins in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. The
Murray River defines the border between Victoria and NSW.
Travel Guide Four
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Your map markers for this travel book are:
New South Wales State Flag
Stamp with floral emblem for NSW—The Waratah
Place the map markers onto your map.
Icons of Sydney Harbour.
Find these icons in your book; Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Botanic Gardens.
The Great Dividing Range (More info OSC p. 64-70)
The Great dividing range stretches from Queensland to western Victoria. The highest point is
Mt Kosciuszko in the Australian Alps.
First Fleet (More info OSC p. 38-45)
Sydney Cove is where the First Fleet arrived in 1788 with Captain Arthur Phillip.
Town Planning of Sydney (More info OSC p. 70)
Governor Lachlan Macquarie announced new plans and buildings for Sydney in 1810. He also,
with the help of newly arrived convict architect Francis Greenway, set about rebuilding the
colony, designing churches, roads and hospitals.
Family Rules
Alexander’s mother had a family rule. What was it? Why do you think she made that rule?
What happened to Alexander because he didn’t listen to the rule? What are some of your family
rules? What happens when you break the rules? In the end it worked out for Alexander but it
might not have—what else could have happened to Alexander?
Make a list of rules and a list of reasons for the rules on strips of paper. Design a matching
activity.
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Page 31 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Art
Art Medium: Ink and water colours.
Crosshatching:
Crosshatching is the drawing of two layers of hatching at right angles to
create a mesh-like pattern. Multiple layers in varying directions can be
used to create textures. Crosshatching is often used to create tonal effects,
by varying the spacing of lines or by adding additional layers of lines.
Crosshatching is used in pencil drawing, but is particularly useful with
pen and ink drawing, to create the impression of areas of tone, since the
pen can only create a solid black line.
Look at the page where the couple are picnicking by the fountain. See how Pamela Allen uses
cross hatching to add texture to the trees and the water from the fountain. Look through the book
for other examples of crosshatching.
Draw a picture with lead pencil and fill it in with watercolours. Try to use an ink pen to add the
details to the picture using only spots and lines.
Landscape
A landscape is an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view. On the last page we have a
landscape of Sydney Harbour. Looking at this picture, could you try to draw this landscape?
Science
Why don't ducks get wet?
Have you ever noticed oil floats on water? Ducks are water birds and even though they can go in
the water all day they don't get wet. Ducks are waterproof. This is because they have an oil gland
near their tail. A duck strokes this oil gland and spreads the oil all over its feathers. This is called
preening. Ducks spend hours every day to keep themselves covered so they don’t get wet.
Problem solving
Many people tried to solve Alexander’s problem. Can you think of any other ways Alexander
could have been rescued?
Travel Guide Four
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Physics Experiment
Do a floating experiment with water and various materials and see what will float. Try to use
objects that look the same size but have a different weight e.g. a marble and a grape.
Why do some things float? When something floats in water, part of it is actually under water. As
it sinks (even a little bit) it pushes away the water until that amount of water weighs the same as
the object that is floating. If the object you try to float is too heavy, it cannot push away enough
water to be the same as how much it weighs. If that happens, the object will sink.
Botany (More info OSC p. 34-35)
When Joseph Banks arrived in Australia he was fascinated by the plants and animals he found.
Suggested Reading
The Story of Ping by Marjorie Flack © 1961
Ping is a domestic duck who lives on a riverboat on the Yangtze River. He forages daily along
the river with the other ducks who live on the boat. To avoid being spanked for being the last
duck to return to the boat, Ping hides and the boat leaves without him. He spends the next day
searching for his family and happily returns when he finds them.
Farmer Schulz’s Ducks by Colin Thiele © 1986
Farmer Shultz wants to make a way for his ducks to get across the road to the river. He makes a
few attempts. Eventually his daughter comes up with a solution.
Note: This is also the extension book used for Travel Guide 6.
The Crossing of the Blue Mountains by Alan Boardman & Roland Harvey
Publisher Details: Walker Children’s Books ©1997 ISBN 9781863887076 (OOP)
Book Summary: In 1813 Governor Macquarie gave permission for landowners Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and William Lawson to mount an expedition to find a way across the Blue Mountains in search of new pasture land. For nearly three weeks they pushed westwards, slashing a path through thick, almost impenetrable scrub. Their success paved the way for the colony to become more than just a penal colony.
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Margaret Catchpole by Nance Donkin
Publisher Details: Collins © 1974 ISBN 0001850040 (OOP)
Book Summary: The story of a young women after she is sentenced to transportation to New South Wales for stealing a horse.
Optional Extension
Extension Book: My Place by Nadia Wheatley © 1988
Extension Book Summary: This book works backwards in history using one small part of Sydney
as the reference point. In each section of history different children describe their homes, families,
pets, and celebrations.
Online School Teachers Notes:
http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/statics/dyn/1218001059961/My-Place-Classroom-Ideas.pdf
Australian Book Traveller
Page 34 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Travel Guide Five—A Year on Our Farm
About the Travel Book
Author: Penny Matthews
Illustrator: Alastair McLean
Awards: CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year 2003,
Honour Book CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2003.
Publisher Details: Scholastic © 2002 ISBN: 139781862914926
Book Summary: This is a simple story, seen through the eyes of a young child, who lives with his
family on an Australian farm in the southern states. It has descriptions of their lifestyle and work
throughout the months of the year.
Simple Lesson Ideas
Social Studies
We will place this story in the southern state of Victoria.
Map Work
Locate Victoria on your Australia Traveller’s Map and find:
Melbourne
Dandenongs
Ballarat
Snowy Mountains (also partly in NSW)
Murray River
Wilson’s Promontory
Phillip Island.
Travel Guide Five
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Your map markers for this travel book are:
Victorian State Flag
Stamp with floral emblem for Victoria—The Common Heath.
Place the map markers on to your map.
Family Farms
Farms in Australia have traditionally been family businesses, passed on from generation to
generation. However, since the 1950s, international economic factors and changes in farming
methods have led to larger farms being more economically viable than small ones. The number of
farming families in Australia has steadily decreased and the average size of farms has increased.
The farming family is at the mercy of nature. Often the only thing separating a good year from a
bad year is the luck of having the right amount of rainfall at the right time.
Different types of farming are mainly located in the areas that suit them best, depending on water
availability and climatic conditions.
Crop growing contributes to over fifty per cent of the value of Australian agriculture every year.
Wheat and other grain crops are spread fairly evenly across New South Wales, South Australia,
Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. Sugar cane is a major crop in Queensland and
Northern New South Wales. Fruit growing is spread across all Australian states and vegetables
are grown in all states and territories. Sheep are mostly found in New South Wales, Western
Australia and Victoria. Most dairy cattle farming is found in the southern states of Australia,
predominantly in Victoria.
Gold in Victoria ( More info OSC p. 98-105)
When gold was discovered in Australia many gold diggers came to
seek their fortunes in Ballarat. Australia’s population grew rapidly.
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Art
Art Medium: The illustrations in this book are made from mixed mediums: watercolours, pastels
and charcoal. Try to identify the different mediums used by the artist. To find chalk pastel look at
the white duck in August and the chicken fence in October.
Experiment using mixed mediums for an illustration. If you don't have the pastels, watercolours
or charcoal, you could try crayons, pencils and Textas (or felt tip markers).
Illustrating the seasons
Look how the tree changes with the seasons. Separate your page into four sections. Draw the
same scene four times illustrating the different seasons.
Reading the Pictures
In this story it is just as important to ‘read the pictures’ as it is to read in the words. Compare who
lives on the farm at the beginning of the story with who is on the farm at the end of the year. The
words do not tell if they got a pony for Christmas—did they?
Science
Seasons in Australia
When European settlers came to Australia they brought with them the calendar with four seasons
of equal length. This may have suited the small temperate island in the Northern Hemisphere
with its fairly predictable seasonal pattern, but it did not match our Southern Hemisphere
Australian climates.
The Australian aboriginals understood these seasonal changes and this knowledge was essential
to their survival. The Aurukun people from Northern Queensland knew to look for mud crabs in
January, wild grapes in February and nuts on swamp grass in March. In northern Australia six
seasons are now recognised and all based around the wet and dry weather pattern. Similarly, in
the southern parts of Australia, a six seasonal pattern is being used by many naturalists. They are
early spring, true spring, early summer, late summer, autumn and winter.
Naturalists define these seasonal changes when natural events clustered into bursts of flowering,
or changed animal behaviour. We can also look and teach our children to look for these natural
timelines as we record those events.
Travel Guide Five
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Australian Inventions for Farmers (More info OSC p. 106-110)
Refrigerated ships to transport fresh meat overseas, the stump-jump plough and rust resistant
wheat were some of the inventions of Australian men to help the farming industry grow.
From the ground to the table—what is the chain of events that bring food from the farm to us
sitting at the table?
Farm Dogs
The Australian farm dog is a tradition that has remained in modern farming because it is still an
effective way to round up sheep and cattle. Working dogs are well treated, but unlike most
domestic pet dogs, they are rarely allowed inside the house.
The movie Babe is about a ‘sheep pig’. You might like to watch this at the end of the week.
Suggested Reading
My Farm by Alison Lester © 2005
Alison Lester grew up on a farm by the sea in eastern Victoria. My Farm is her story of a memora-
ble year, the year she received a palomino pony for Christmas. Trick-riding horses, mustering cat-
tle, training the dog, competing at the local show, feeding calves, picking mushrooms, raising a
baby wombat, building cubbies, cutting hay, swimming ponies in the dam, hypnotising
chook ...all the activities through the seasons are depicted with child-like mischief and humour.
Optional Extension
All of these Rachel Tonkin books are out of print but they are excellent books based in Victoria.
Try to find at least one of them.
To the Goldfields by Rachel Tonkin © 1999
Picture Book. A young boy whose family join the diggings tells about life during the 1850s
Victorian gold rush, including everyday as well as important historical events. The colourful
drawings, full of authentic detail provide excellent insight into life during this period.
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Page 38 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Papa and the Olden Days by Ian Edwards © 1998 Illustrated by Rachel Tonkin
Based on the life of Rachel Tonkin’s grandfather this book looks at what life was like in the early
1900s in Victoria.
When I was a kid by Rachel Tonkin © 1997
Told from the perspective of a father looking back to his childhood days in Melbourne in the
1950s. It is very humorous.
Travel Guide Six
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Travel Guide Six—Daniel the Devil
About the Travel Book
Authors: Steve and Marion Isham
Publisher Details: Bandicoot Books ©2012 ISBN 9780987384003
Book Summary: Daniel the Devil
Daniel is a small Tasmania Devil who gets lost from his family and then, with the help of a local
ranger, reunited . Pictured in the pages of this book are lots of Tasmanian animals to seek and
find.
Simple Lesson Ideas
Social Studies
Map Work
Locate Tasmania on your Australia Traveller’s Map and find:
Hobart
Launceston
Cradle Mountain
Port Arthur
Queenstown
Bass Strait
Flinders Island.
Your map markers for this travel book are:
Tasmanian State Flag
Stamp with floral emblem for Tasmanian—the Tasmanian Blue Gum.
Place the map markers on to your map.
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Page 40 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Bass and Flinders (More info OSC p. 59-60)
Tasmania was first circumnavigated by Bass and Flinders.
Tasmania becomes a colony (More info OSC p. 90—91)
Tasmania was declared a separate colony in 1825.
Australian folklore traditions
Indigenous knowledge, law, and religion, which provide the basis of their folklore, are rich in
stories of the land, its animals and plants. This knowledge has its roots in their Dreamtime stories.
Some Indigenous stories, like the bunyip—a man-eating animal that lives in water-holes, swamps
and creeks—have been absorbed into wider Australian folklore.
Art
Art Medium: Marion and Steve work on these pictures together. Marion sketches the illustration
and then they photocopy her illustrations on to quality paper and Steve paints them.
Make a Picture with A Friend
Try this technique with some friends or family. Draw pictures in pencil and then swap them over
for the other one to colour in. You can use paints or coloured pencils.
Reading the Pictures
How do the pictures help you solve the puzzles?
Science
Australian Megafauna
Fossil records show that very large animals once lived in Australia. These animals were known
by the Aboriginal people since they have rock paintings and dreamtime stories of them. Many
scientists believe that human settlement and hunting were largely responsible for the extinction
of many species of Australia’s megafauna. The three megafauna in this story are the bunyip
(possibly a diprotodon), the giant bird (a dromornithid) and the giant kangaroo (procoptodon
goliah).
Travel Guide Six
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Observation—Nature
Many native Tasmanian animals are pictured throughout this book. What ones do you know.
You can find the names in the back of the book.
Protected Species and Endangered Species
Why do animals become endangered? How are species protected? How can the government
help?
Tasmania’s Unique Creatures
Find out about the Tasmanian devil and the extinct Tasmania tiger.
The last known Tasmanian tiger died in Hobart Zoo in 1936. Since then there have been reported
sightings but no official proof.
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/tasmanian-tiger
Suggested Reading
I saw nothing: the extinction of the thylacine by Gary Crew ©2003 (OOP)
This compelling story is told by Rosie, who saw the last thylacine following its capture and after
it had been put in the Hobart Zoo.
Tasmanian Traveller by Marion & Steve Isham Bandicoot Books © 2005 ISBN 0975049844
is the story of two men as they travel in Tasmania in the 1840’s along the new road from Hobart
to Launceston. It includes, riddles, bushrangers and a little romance.
Travel Guide Seven
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Travel Guide Seven—You and Me Murrawee
About the Travel Book
Author: Kerri Hashmi
Illustrator: Felicity Marshall
Awards: CBCA Crichton Award for Children’s Book Illustration 1999
CBCA Picture Book of the Year—Short-listed 1999
Publisher Details: Puffin © 1998 ISBN 0140564993
Book Summary: A young girl camps along the Murray River in South Australia. She tries to
imagine what an Aboriginal girl would have been doing 200 years ago in the same spot. Through
the illustrations and text it seems that both these events are happening simultaneously.
Simple Lesson Ideas
Social Studies
This book is located in South Australia along the Murray River.
Map Work
Locate South Australia on your Australia Traveller’s Map and find:
Adelaide
Coober Pedy
Port Augusta
Great Australian Bight
Nullarbor Plains
Mt Gambier
Oodnadatta.
Australian Book Traveller
Page 43 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Your map markers for this travel book are:
South Australian Flag
Stamp with floral emblem for South Australia—The Sturt’s Desert Pea.
Place the map markers on to your map.
Cultural Difference
In this book we see how the two girls are in the same place and essentially do the same thing but
the way they do it is different. Discuss how our cultural habits can influence how we think things
should be done. What are the differences in clothes, food, shelter, entertainment, language, chores
and art?
Murray River—Mapping the Rivers (More info OSC p. 81-87)
Look at the state border between NSW and Victoria. See how it is straight at one end and then
wiggly. That is because much of the Murray River which begins in the Snowy Mountains of New
South Wales, forms the border between Victoria and NSW. Its first major community on its way
from the mountains to the sea comprises the twin towns of Albury in New South Wales and
Wodonga in Victoria. The Murray River crosses into South Australia and empties into Lake Alex-
andrin (there are lots of silting problems here), then ocean. Sometimes the Murray River is called
The Mighty Murray)
History—Life on the Murray River
In the past 200 years life in the Murray River has changed considerably. The Murray River was a
waterway of great importance in Australia's colonial times when it was the favoured method for
travel and transport of goods from the Southern Ocean up into South Australia, and thence to
Victoria and New South Wales. At that time paddle-steamers and riverboats were in abundance
along the river.
See this slide show on Paddle-steamers.
http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/murray/content/riverAsHighway/rmsteamers/index.html
Art
Travel Guide Seven
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Art Medium: Water colours and ink
The illustrator of this book won the CBC Crichton Award in 1999. The Crichton Award aims to
recognise and encourage new talent in the field of Australian children's book illustration.
Reading the Pictures
How does the illustrator make you feel as if the events of the book are happening at the same
time?
Nature Journaling
To draw these pictures the illustrator would have had to study nature. Try some nature drawing.
For more on nature journaling visit this link.
http://www.homeschoolingdownunder.com/science_nature_homeschool_resources/
nature_journaling.html
Bush Craft
Baskets, bowls and toys were made using things found in the bush. Look at the canoe on the first
page? How do you think you could make that?
Silhouette
Find the page with silhouette drawings at evening time. Why do you think they had a silhouette?
To draw your own picture paint the background (colours from the drawing include mauve, white
and yellow) and then using black paint draw in your silhouette.
Night Pictures
Start with a black piece of paper and use oil pastels to draw the picture (see last pages of You and
Me Murrawee).
Australian Book Traveller
Page 45 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Science
Wildlife of the Murray River
By looking at the pictures in the book, what wildlife can you identify on the Murray River?
The Murray River supports a variety of unique river life. This includes native fish such as the
Murray Cod, and the Murray Short-necked Turtle species.
Introduced fish species such as Carp have had serious negative effects on native fish. In some
segments of the Murray, Carp have been the only fish species found.
Water and environmental politics.
In 1915 the three Murray states — New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia —signed the
River Murray Waters Agreement which proposed the construction of storage reservoirs in the
river. Along the intervening stretch of the river a series of locks and weirs were built.
Unfortunately, the Murray River has not been looked after very well. Irrigation of farmland,
tampering with river flows, clearing of vegetation, storm water and over fishing are some of the
reasons that the Australian government is concerned about the Murray’s future. A decision made
upstream can impact downstream South Australia.
The health of the Murray River is critical to the current and future wellbeing of South Australia’s
water resources. In an average rainfall season, the Murray River supplies one half of South
Australia’s stock, domestic, irrigation and industrial water. In a dry year, up to 90 percent of
Adelaide’s water supply comes from the Murray.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme—Renewable energy( More info OSC p. 137)
The Snowy Mountains Scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex using the waters of
the Snowy Mountains as they travel towards the Southern Ocean. The Scheme was completed in
1974, after twenty-five years of construction, and it is the largest engineering project undertaken
in Australia.
Its main purpose is to divert, store and release water from the Snowy Mountains and generate
electricity using turbines driven by the water. The water is then released into to the Murray and
Murrumbidgee Rivers for irrigation. This Scheme generates power for the Australian Capital
Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.
Travel Guide Seven
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Boats on the Murray—Paddle Steamers and Canoes
How does a paddle steamer engine work? Put simply, using wood for fuel water is heated in a
boiler until it evaporates, and produces steam. The steam travels through pipes into a cylinder
where the steam’s pressure pushes a piston in the cylinder. The piston moves the drive shaft
which turns the paddle wheels.
Aboriginal canoes were made from mature trees with slightly bent trunks. The bark had to be
thick and free of holes. When cut and dry, the canoe was waterproofed with grease or clay and
was ready to launch. Most bark canoes took several days to make and lasted about a year. Their
low, flat shape suited navigation on the slowly flowing Murray and the lakes, but they capsized
easily and required skillful handling.
Suggested Reading
Tucker by Ian Abdulla ©1994
Ian recalls his life growing up on the Murray River as an Aboriginal boy.
Optional Extension
Extension Book: Farmer Schulz’s Ducks by Colin Thiele © 1988
Extension Book Summary: Farmer Shultz wants to make a way for his ducks to get across the
road to the river. He makes a few attempts. Eventually his daughter comes up with a solution.
This book is set in the Adelaide Hills.
Online Teacher’s Resources
http://wonder.riverwillow.com.au/home_education/english/farmer-schulz.htm
Australian Book Traveller
Page 47 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Travel Guide Eight—My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day
About the Travel Book
Author: Catriona Hoy
Illustrator: Benjamin Johnson
Publisher Details: Lothian Children’s Books © 2005 ISBN 9780734410368
Book Summary: A little girl gets up for the dawn service on Anzac Day and
then goes to see her grandfather, a returned soldier, march in the parade. She talks about the
events of the day as she sees them. She explains why her grandad marches—and what Anzac Day
means—in very simple terms.
Simple Lesson Ideas
Social Studies
There is no location set for this book. ANZAC day is celebrated in many places. We have chosen
Western Australia (WA) as the state because Albany is where the tradition for the dawn service
began. Mr White, a clergyman, held a service at 4 am on the morning of departure for the first
ANZACs. The convoy of men (30,000) assembled at Albany’s King George Sound in WA.
Map Work
Locate Western Australia and the following places on your Australia Traveller’s Map:
Albany
Perth
Port Hedland
Broome
Kalgoorlie
Gibson Desert
Nullarbor Plain.
Travel Guide Eight
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Your map markers for this travel book are:
Western Australian Flag
Stamp with floral emblem for Western Australia—Red and Green Kangaroo Paw.
Place the map markers onto your map.
Medals
Many of the returned soldiers are wearing medals that they received from the war. Can you
identify any from the pictures? Here are some sites that might help you.
http://asacaustralia.com/medals.htm
http://www.medalsofservice.com.au/
Anzac Day (More info OSC p. 115—119)
Anzac Day is commemorated on the 25th of April every year in Australia.
Australian War Stories (More info OSC p. 127—130, 131)
Australia has been involved in numerous wars.
Art
Art Medium: The illustrations were done with acrylic paint. Gesso (a surface primer that adds
texture to a canvas) is painted on to the surface first. This gives the scratchy look as if it had been
painted on wood.
Painting on different surfaces
Try doing a painting on a different surface such as wood or canvas.
Medals
Design your own medal. What is the reason for the medal?
Science
Australian Book Traveller
Page 49 Homeschooling Downunder© 2013
Anzac Biscuits
There are a few theories about the origin of Anzac Biscuits. The most popular is that women in
Australia sent them to the troops in the First World War. The biscuits were made out of
ingredients that didn’t perish quickly. Anzac biscuits are now a traditional food cooked on Anzac
day and all year round.
Rosemary
On Anzac Day, the wearing of small sprigs of rosemary in the coat lapel, pinned to the breast or
held in place by medals is thus synonymous with remembrance and commemoration.
The Rosemary shrub is from the mint family. It has a strong scent and is used for food flavouring
and perfumes. Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair to help them remember. They believed
it strengthened their memory.
Legend says that the Virgin Mary, while resting, spread her cloak over a white flowering
rosemary bush. The flowers turned the blue of her cloak, and from then on the bush was referred
to as the ‘Rose of Mary’. There are other explanations too, for the origin of the name.
How do we remember? The Brain and The Heart
The brain is the place where we store and retrieve information. The heart also has an ability to
process and create emotions. This has been noticed when some heart transplant recipients have
taken on the personality of the dead donors in ways which have astounded scientists.
We have a memory for smell, visual and tactile.
What is your child’s earliest memory?
What things help the Anzacs remember?
What helps you remember?
Travel Guide Eight
Homeschooling Downunder ©2013 Page
Suggested Reading
What Was The War Like Grandma by Rachel Tonkin © 1995
A grandma recalls what the war was like in Australia when she was a little girl.
Optional Extension
Extension Book: The House that was Built in a Day: Anzac Cottage by Valerie Everett ©2008
Extension Book Summary: The people in Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia planned to build
a house that would be both a home for a wounded WWI and soldier, a memorial to the ANZAC
landings. Dozens of men, women and children donated materials, money or their labour to the
project that also required clearing a block of land and the carting of materials to the site. When a
town crier awoke the suburb at 3.30 am on the 12th February, 1916 with "Arise, arise, Anzac
Cottage is to be built today!" hundreds of men responded to the call. They set out working from
sun-up to sun-down, in a race against the clock, to build the cottage in a single day.
Online Teaching Resources:
http://www.valerieeverett.com.au/anzac.html
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