Places and Environments · Term 3

Caring for Our Local Places

Investigating how people, including First Nations Australians, protect and manage local environments.

About This Topic

Caring for our places focuses on environmental stewardship and the various ways communities protect their local areas. A significant component is learning from First Nations Australians, who have cared for Country for over 65,000 years. This aligns with AC9HASS3K04, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and the shared responsibility of looking after the environment.

Students explore different management strategies, from local council recycling programs to traditional firestick farming. They learn that 'caring' is an active process that requires knowledge and respect. This topic comes alive when students can engage in collaborative investigations to solve local environmental problems, such as reducing waste in the playground.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Waste Warriors

Students conduct a 'litter audit' of a specific area in the school. They work in groups to design a plan to reduce that waste, including better bin placement or an awareness campaign.

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Role Play: The Environmental Council

Students take on roles like 'Park Ranger,' 'Traditional Owner,' 'Local Resident,' and 'Business Owner.' They must decide how to protect a local beach while still allowing people to enjoy it.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: Caring for Country Techniques

Display information on traditional First Nations land management, such as fish traps, cool burning, and seasonal harvesting. Students rotate to learn how these methods kept the land healthy for thousands of years.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Only 'experts' can look after the environment.

What to Teach Instead

Students often think it's someone else's job. Active learning projects show them that small, daily responsibilities (like using the right bin) are the foundation of environmental care.

Common Misconception

Caring for Country is the same as 'gardening.'

What to Teach Instead

Students might see it as just planting trees. Discussion helps them understand that Caring for Country is a deep spiritual and reciprocal relationship where the land and the people look after each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Caring for Country' mean?

It is a First Nations concept that describes the duty to look after the land, water, animals, and spirits of a specific area. It involves sustainable use of resources and performing ceremonies to keep the land healthy.

How can I teach sustainability without making students feel anxious?

Focus on positive actions and local success stories. Show them how people are working together to fix problems, and emphasize that every small effort helps. Help them with roles like 'Class Sustainability Officer.'

How can active learning help students understand environmental management?

Active learning, like a 'Problem-Solution' simulation, allows students to see the consequences of different choices. It moves the lesson from 'don't litter' to 'how do we create a system where littering doesn't happen?'

Who is responsible for local parks in Australia?

Usually, the local council manages parks, but they often work with community 'Landcare' groups and Traditional Owners. This shows students that caring for a place is a collaborative effort between government and citizens.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU