Aborigine Culture
By: Jill Gangloff
December 6, 2007
Introduction and Background
1st Student Teaching Experience
 School: Dodge Elementary
 School District: Williamsville
 Cooperating Teacher: Carolyn Mansell
 Grade Level: Third
 Number of Students: 23
General Ability of Students
Every student achieves at or above grade
level in all content areas, except reading.
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Two students read below grade-level.
Five students academically achieve
above grade-level.
Time Frame
This learning experience was
Implemented over a three day
period.
 Social Studies block is 40
minutes.
 Computer Lab: 6 days (30
minutes)
Purpose
Inform students about traditions, beliefs,
values, accomplishments and contributions of
the Aborigine culture in Australia.
Objectives
Students will be able to ….
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type sentences on a PowerPoint slide about
Aborigine culture.
answer four questions about the Aborigine culture
on a boomerang.
answer three questions about the Aborigine
culture.
Essential Question
Why is it important to learn about
other cultures?
Enduring Understanding
Distinguishing cultural differences
regarding accomplishments,
contributions, traditions, beliefs and
values is essential for living in a
multicultural world.
Guiding Questions

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What do you know about the Native American
culture?
What are the traditions of the Aborigine culture?
What accomplishments and contributions were
generated from the Aborigine culture?
What are the Aborigines’ beliefs?
Are the Aborigines living the same way today, as
they did in the past? (How?)
NYS Learning Standard
Social Studies
Level: Elementary (Third Grade)
Content Standard: (2) World History
Key Idea: (1)
Performance Indicator:
(•c) Study about different world cultures
and civilizations focusing on their
accomplishments, contributions, values,
beliefs and traditions.
Student Tasks
• Write about one Aborigine
accomplishment, contribution, value,
belief or tradition on a PowerPoint
slide
• Answer questions on a cardboard
boomerang
• Answer questions on unit test
Assessment Tool 1
(PowerPoint Slide)
A four-point Aborigine PowerPoint rubric will
be used to assess student’s knowledge
about one of Aborigines’
accomplishments, contributions,
values, beliefs or traditions.
Aborigine PowerPoint
(Teacher Rubric)
Aborigine
Fact
4
3
2
1
Fact(s) are precise
about one of
Aborigines
accomplishments,
contributions,
values, beliefs or
traditions.
Information typed
is very detailed and
valid in one to
two sentences.
Fact(s) are
specific to one of
the
accomplishments,
contributions,
values, beliefs or
traditions of
the Aborigine
culture.
Information typed
is detailed and
valid in one
to two sentences.
Fact(s) are closely
related to one of
Aborigines
accomplishments,
contributions,
values, beliefs or
traditions.
Information stated
is unclear, but
relevant to
the Aborigines.
Fact(s) are not related
to any of the
accomplishments,
contributions,
values, beliefs or
traditions of the
Australian culture,
Aborigines.
Information is
not specific to the
Aboriginal culture.
Attribute
PowerPoint
Slide
All graphics are
related to
the information
about the
Aborigine
accomplishment,
contribution,
value, belief
or tradition.
Graphics
and slide layout are
very
neat and
recognizable.
Most graphics are
related to the typed
facts of Aborigine
accomplishment,
contribution,
value, belief or
tradition.
Graphics and slide
layout are neat and
recognizable.
Few of the
graphics are
related to the
Aborigine
accomplishment,
contribution,
value, belief or
tradition stated in
the PowerPoint.
Graphics are not
related to
any of the Aborigine
accomplishment,
contribution, value,
belief or tradition.
Graphics and slide
layout are
acceptable though
they may not be
obvious.
Graphics and
slide layout are not
noticeable.
Attribute
There are no
errors in
grammar,
sentence
structure,
capitalization,
Writing
Mechanics and spelling
on the slide.
There are 1-2
errors in
grammar,
sentence
structure,
capitalization,
and spelling on
the
slide.
There are 3-4
errors in
grammar,
sentence
structure,
capitalization,
and spelling on
the slide.
There are more
than 4 errors
in grammar,
sentence
structure,
capitalization, and
spelling on the
slide.
Teacher Exemplar
Aborigine Culture
The Aborigines practice a religion called
Dreamtime. They believe spirits from
earth created mountains, deserts,
animals and people.
(Teacher Exemplar)
Aborigine Culture
• Meets all attributes for a score of 12 points.
• Facts are about an Aborigine belief.
• Graphic goes along with facts.
•Sentences correspond with third grade writing.
Aborigine
Fact
4
Fact(s) are precise about one of Aborigines
accomplishments, contributions, values,
beliefs or traditions. Information typed is
very detailed and valid in one to two
sentences.
(Distinguished)
Aborigine Culture
The didgeridoo is an instrument that makes
a weird sound. It has painted designs on it.
The Aborigines made it out of wood and
used it to play music.
Aborigine PowerPoint
(Distinguished)
•Facts are about one topic, the didgeridoo
(accomplishment). (4)
•Graphic goes along with facts. (4)
•No spelling or grammatical errors. (4)
4
Aborigine
Fact
Fact(s) are precise about one of Aborigines
accomplishments, contributions, values,
beliefs or traditions. Information typed is
very detailed and valid in one to two
sentences.
(Proficient)
Aborigine Culture
The didgeridoo is an instrument
aborigine’s paint designs on.
(Proficient)
Aborigine PowerPoint
• Fact about didgeridoo is correct. Add more
information: (made, sounds, painted designs) (3)
•Graphic should be smaller. (3)
•‘A’ in Aborigine’s should be capital. Period after
instrument. (3)
3
Aborigine Fact(s) are specific to one of the
Fact
accomplishments, contributions, values,
beliefs or traditions of the Aborigine culture.
Information typed is detailed and valid in one
to two sentences.
(Developing)
Aborigine Culture
In Australia they have school
just like us, but longer then us.
They have school from 8:00 am
to 3:00 pm.
(Developing)
Aborigine PowerPoint
• Information
is not related to Aborigine culture. (1)
•Picture goes along with Aborigine culture, but not with
the sentences. (2)
•Use “than” and single space between words. (3)
1
Aborigine Fact(s) are not related to any of the
Fact
accomplishments, contributions, values,
beliefs or traditions of the Australian culture,
Aborigines. Information is not specific to the
Aboriginal culture.
Assessment Tool 2
(Boomerang Activity)
1. Aborigines used a boomerang as a tool for
hunting. Today, children use it as a toy.
2. Dreamtime is the religion practiced by
Aborigines.
3. A corroboree is an Aborigines tradition that
celebrates with music, singing, dancing and
storytelling.
4. A didgeridoo is a musical instrument that is
made from wood with beautiful designs.
Assessment Tool 3
(Unit Assessment)
Question
3. __ A type of religion
practiced by Aborigines.
Answer: B. Dreamtime
7. __ Aborigines celebrate a
tradition with music,
singing, dancing and
storytelling.
Answer: H. corroboree
Number of
Students
Correctly
Answered
20/23
20/23
Percentage
86.95% of students
mastered the knowledge
of an Aborigine belief.
86.95% of students
attained information of
an Aborigine tradition.
Assessment Tool 3 Cont’d
Question
1. A musical instrument
that is made from
wood with beautiful
designs is called
___________.
Answer: didgeridoo
Number
of
Students
Correctly
Answered
22/23
Percentage
95.65% of students
acquired the facts about
the Aborigine
contributions and
accomplishments.
Environmental Modifications
• Review classroom rules and procedures
• Preferential Seating
• Cooperative Learning
Instructional
Modifications
• Present clear directions aloud and
written, as well as concrete examples
for instructional tasks.
• Provide directions for activities into
sequential order.
Modifications
Content/Materials:
• Cardboard boomerangs are provided.
• Real Objects
Tasks:
• Students may choose their topic of
interest for completion of sentences.
Graphic Organizer
Graphic Organizer
Reflection
Thank you!
Improvements made to my L.E.
Assessment – corresponds with Aborigine culture
 Student-Friendly Rubric
 Essential question and enduring understanding
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