Heart & Soul Time

• Language Arts: Come explore poetry by A.B. "Banjo" Patterson, scripture that teaches us to care for the earth, audio recordings that teach about Australian history and culture, and journaling activities that improve note taking and other writing skills.
• History: Learn about the history of Australia from the time of the first Aboriginal Australians to the modern day history of Australia. 
• Art: Discover the Aboriginal people through Aboriginal rock art and explore the beauty of the Australian landscape through paintings by Eugene von Guerard and John Glover.
• Music: Explore the music of Aboriginal instruments, Australian folk songs such as  “Waltzing Matilda”, and music by the Australian composer Percy Aldridge Grainge. 
• Mapping: Map the states, capitals, and other prominent areas of Australia.

Heart & Mind Time

Mindful Explorations:

• Language Arts: Develop storytelling and creative writing skills. 
• Culture: Learn about Aboriginal culture through stories and activities. 
• Science: Learn all about marine biology and the Great Barrier reef through story, pictures, and video. 
• Math: Develop number sense, measurement, and fraction skills through the use of math stories, cooking activities, and measurement fitness activities.
• Art: Complete a variety of Australian related art projects. 

Sigma Investigation:

• History: In this Investigation the learner is introduced to some of the difficulties that the aboriginal people of Australia have faced since the settlement of Australia by non-indigenous peoples. The learner is guided in investigating what might have led to these difficulties, identifying what his or her thoughts and feelings are in regards to these difficulties, and how he or she can learn from these specific tragedies of history. 
• Science: The science portion of this Investigation focuses on marine biology through the context of the Great Barrier Reef. Concepts are taught through the use of video, reading, video labs, and hands-on lab activities. 
• Language Arts: The learner will explore the importance of heritage and storytelling in the lives of the Aboriginal Australians and in the lives of cultures and families in general. He or she will read some of the Dreamtime beliefs, will define words related to Aboriginal cultures, and will write responses to questions asked. Additionally, the learner will read two books and will participate in a group discussion regarding on of the books. 

Omega Investigation:

• History: The purpose of this Investigation is to understand the history of the aboriginal people of Australia. This Investigation will guide the learner to identify the various world views and religious beliefs of some of the Aboriginal tribes and how those specific beliefs might have developed. Additionally, this Investigation guides the learner in considering the idea of imperialism verses the view that the earth is a living thing and cannot be owned. The learner investigates how this difference of world views may have effected relationships between the Aboriginal peoples and western explorers and colonizers.
• Science: In the science portion of this Investigation, the learner takes a look at environmentalism verses preservation and the views of the people of Australia. This Investigation guides the learner in identifying their own worldview and also introduces them to understanding the views others.
• Language Arts: Language Arts skills are developed in this Investigation as youth read, analyze, and respond to living books. Writing skills are developed through writing prompts which encourage youth to find application to their own lives and the world around them. 

Interactive File

Note: This interactive file and the adjacent Supplies Needed list includes affiliate links. When you shop for outside products using our links we receive a small commission, yet your prices remain the same. Thank you for supporting The Mindful Heart!

Supplies Needed

Welcome to Country: A Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony by Aunty Joy Murphy

Amazon Link

(Optional) The Man From Snowy River by A.B. Banjo Paterson, illustrated by Freya Blackwood

The Book Depository

Internet Archive

Choose one of the following books to read aloud

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #8: The Australian Boomerang Bonanza by Jeff Brown (Interest Level: Alpha, Zeta, and Theta)

Amazon Link

Where Is the Great Barrier Reef? by Nico Medina (Interest Level: Alpha, Zeta, and Theta)

Amazon Link

Internet Archive

Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman (Interest Level: Alpha, Zeta, Theta, and Sigma)

Amazon Link

This Is the Dreaming: Australian Aboriginal Legends by Jean A. Ellis (Interest Level: All Ages)

Amazon Link

Internet Archive

My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch by Graeme Base (Interest Level: Alpha, Zeta, and Theta)

Amazon Link

Internet Archive

Koala Lou by Mem Fox (Interest Level: Alpha and Zeta)

Amazon Link

Internet Archive

FREE Downloads

PDF Western World Picture Pack #1: The Land Down Under

$0.00

This picture pack contains eighteen full color pages including 19th century art, modern art, Aborignal art, scripture, and poetry.

Add to Cart

Mindful Explorations
(Alpha, Zeta, & Theta)

Part 1: 

Part 2: 

Note: This interactive file and the  Supplies Needed list includes affiliate links. When you shop for outside products using our links we receive a small commission, yet your prices remain the same. Thank you for supporting The Mindful Heart! 

Bonus Links:

Mindful Investigations

Sigma Interactive File: 

Omega—Coming Soon