Episode 27
th
16 September 2014
Activity
Arnhem Insight
Key Learning
Students will develop a deeper understanding of life in Arnhem Land and explore dreaming stories from the
area.
The Australian Curriculum
Health and Physical Education/Personal, Social and
Community Health/Contributing to healthy and active
communities
Research own heritage and cultural identities, and explore
strategies to respect and value diversity Years 3 & 4
Civics and Citizenship/Knowledge and
Understanding/Citizenship, diversity and identity
How groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Peoples, express their particular identities, how this influences
their perceptions of others, and others’ perception of them
Year 7
Discussion Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Where is Arnhem Land?
Which famous National Park is in Arnhem Land?
How many people live in Arnhem Land?
How long is the Prime Minister staying there?
Explain why the Prime Minister is staying in Arnhem Land.
Which indigenous instrument came from Arnhem Land?
Jake’s class is called Nguykal, Nguykal. What does it mean?
Why did the kids give up swimming?
What’s the Yolngu word for canoe?
Who are the ‘elder mob men’ that Billy’s talking about?
Activities
Discuss the Arnhem Insight story with students. What did the story teach them about life in Arnhem Land?
What are some traditional Yolngu words the kids in the story talked about?
Arnhem Land
Students find out more about Arnhem Land using the following questions to guide their research.


Where is Arnhem Land? Locate it using Google Maps.
Describe the location of Arnhem Land in relation to Darwin.
©ABC 2014



What is the area (sq km) of Arnhem Land?
What is the climate and geography of Arnhem Land? Find images of some geographical features.
How did the region get its name?

What are some interesting facts about Arnhem Land?
Glossary
Students will explore dreaming stories from Arnhem Land. Before they do this, ask them to compile a
glossary of words from Arnhem Land. They can add to the list below.
Billabong
Corroboree
Moeity
Skin Name
Yirritja
Dhuwa
Didgeridoo
Students choose at least three words from the glossary and illustrate them.
Dreaming Stories from Arnhem Land
Dust Echoes is series of animated dreaming stories from Central Arnhem Land. Students choose a dreaming
story from the collection to explore in more detail http://www.abc.net.au/dustechoes/dustEchoesFlash.htm
Dreaming stories
Whirlpool
Mermaid story
Brolga
Morning Star
Namorrodor
The Curse
Moon Man
The Be
Spear
Wagalak Sisters
Bat & Butterfly
Mimis
©ABC 2014
Exploring a Dreaming Story
What do Aboriginal Dreaming stories tell us?
What is the story about?
What are the main themes in the story?
What does the story help you understand
about Aboriginal people’s lives?
How did the story make you feel?
Further activities
Students can check their understanding of
the story by completing the quiz. Go to the
`Take the quiz’ section on the story that they
chose.
Students can create their own version of the
story. Go to the `Mash it up’ section.
Evaluate
Students will reflect on their learning
 I learned that...
 I enjoyed/did not enjoy...
 I want to know more about...
 I was surprised to discover that...
 Related Research Links
ABC News – PM visiting Arnhem Land
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-13/abbott-to-camp-in-arnhem-land/5741340
ABC News – Abbott's Top End trip: Prime Minister Tony Abbott to focus on jobs in Arnhem Land
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-15/prime-minister-to-focus-on-jobs-in-arnhem-land/5743334
ABC - Dust Echoes
http://www.abc.net.au/dustechoes/dustEchoesFlash.htm
East Arnhem Regional Council - Yirrkala
http://www.eastarnhem.nt.gov.au/yirrkala/
©ABC 2014