Many Australians are unaware of the distinctive features of Aboriginal languages, how many were spoken in Australia at the time of the first arrival of overseas explorers and even what they sound and look like.
This curriculum of short simple lessons explore the principles of language, how sounds are created, and the key features of an indigenous language. The topic is a fascinating one and it is a series of lessons I have delivered to a variety of audiences - from secondary students to highly engaged corporate employees.
This program uses a particular language as a case study - a language spoken in the Pilbara region of the north-west of Western Australia. And the language features learnt here apply to many other indigenous languages throughout Australia. They are all related, but they are all so different.
By the end of the program you will:
have an understanding of the mechanics of articulating Indigenous letters of the alphabet
have built up a vocabulary of more than 100 Indigenous words from this language
learn how different the grammar rules can be(almost like Latin)
learn how culture and language are so intertwined
increase your understanding of an Australia Indigenous view of the world
The program won’t equip you to be a fluent speaker of the language, but you will be provided with a sound base of language knowledge that will give you the appreciation of some of the uniqueness of an Indigenous language still spoken in Australia.
This program is suitable for anybody wanting:
To improve their knowledge of the Australia Indigenous culture
To gain some linguistic exposure to Indigenous languages
To acquire knowledge of the mechanics of language
To develop a basis for further in-depth study of Australian Indigenous Language
There are 12 lessons in this course (5-15 minutes each), and the course also includes a free download of the dictionary from the languages used throughout the course, as well as a free copy of the scrapbook of photos taken from my time with this community.
I’d be really disappointed if anyone is not happy with these packs, so if that’s you, please get back to me and your money will be very happily refunded. I’d really like some feedback too, so all comments most welcome.
Something original!
Calling all budding linguists - this pack of 25 worksheets(including answer key) will challenge the Middle School student looking for something original.
The theme of the worksheets is how sounds are articulated in the mouth, and how each point of articulation changes the sound that is made. The pack covers how all sounds of the alphabet are made and requires the student to closely analyse how sounds in words are constructed.
Topics include:
points of articulation
manner of articulation
phonetic analysis
The pack will enhance language learners and provide them with an understanding of how different languages are spoken.
I had worked as teacher in a remote Aboriginal community in the north west region of Australia, and here I have collected by photos and stories to show students how life is the same and different to their own.
Topics covered:
Our Camp
The Terrain
Weather & Climate
Children’s Games
School
Two Schools
Food
Seasonal food
Food
The Babysitter
Health and Medecine
Medicine
Trip to the Great Sandy Desert
Pilbara Lizards
New Cyclone Shelter
Employment
Whitefella Work in the Pilbara
In my class the scrapbook is used as part of our Indigenous Study Unit and is used in combination with The Indigenous Way - A Case Study
This engaging pack is an Integrated Case Study with 50 pages of student activities comparing a traditional indigenous lifestyle with the student’s own lifestyle.
It reviews aspects of self and society that were studied in the early years of learning. The children explore the impact of environment and experience on human behaviour.
The activities contrasts the child’s own lifestyle with that of the modern indigenous family in a remote area of Australia.
The information comes from first hand experience by the author, and includes a variety of images and drawings done within the remote community.
Topics of work, play, living, environment, medicine, language are all covered in this comprehensive introduction to the indigenous way.
I also use a scrapbook of the photos I have from my time in this community. The scrapbook shows daily activities within the community and it is a great resource to use with ‘The Indigenous Way - An Australian Aboriginal Case Study and Activities’
Great fun pack that investigates the types of Pranks, Hoaxes and Scams that are carried out in a variety of circumstances - on the web, in the classroom, in the news and so on.
Students identify the differences and get an understanding that this is not a new thing - it all started with Jonathon Swift (Gulliver Travels).
These pen and paper worksheets explore this type of humor and discusses the impact it might have on the victim. I really enjoy teaching about humor in the classroom and this is another of my packs that my classes have been working on.
I also use the topic to cover off some ‘bullying’ issues and make sure that all students understand that a prank can often have a negative effect on someone else - and so needs to be avoided.
The pack is also great for introducing the topic of email scams and how they can impact people who are not wary.
28 pages including a comprehensive Answer Key
I’d be really disappointed if anyone is not happy with these packs, so if that’s you, please get back to me and your money will be very happily refunded. I’d really like some feedback too, so all comments most welcome.
12 humor types are illustrated in this poster series. The posters are A3 size and can be used to identify each of the humor types that are typically used.
Refer to the posters to identify which humor type is being used in conversation, in literature, or by the scallywag in your class.
The posters identify the name of the humor type, includes a definition and an example along with an original illustration.
12 A3 posters - samples are shown here.