Students learn about the Aboriginal art of Australia. Then they explore the Maori art of New Zealand, writing a description of raranga (weaving) and whakairo (carving). Finally, they choose another aspect of Maori culture, research it, and write a report, which they present to their classmates.
Students read an introduction explaining that they will explore Aboriginal art in Australia and Maori art in New Zealand. They examine an image in the style of Aboriginal art and respond on a discussion wall describing the image and its style.
Teacher MovesReview the lesson objectives and discuss student responses to the image. Explain that the image is in the style of Aboriginal art, introduce Aboriginal people as the first inhabitants of Australia, and preview that students will explore additional art and culture from Pacific countries.
Students view an image of an ancient Aboriginal rock painting and read Aboriginal Rock Art of the Kimberley: An Overview and 10 Things You Should Know About Aboriginal Art to learn about the history, meaning, and significance of Aboriginal rock art. They then post to a discussion wall explaining why it is important to preserve Aboriginal rock art and other cultural practices, using examples from the readings.
Teacher MovesFacilitate pair or whole-class discussion of student responses, emphasizing how Aboriginal rock art records stories about the origins of the Earth, plants, animals, and people. Highlight that preserving this art and related cultural practices protects the history and homeland of the Aboriginal people.
Students view an image of a Maori meeting house and read Maori Arts, then watch a video about a school for Maori carving to learn about traditional Maori art forms. They respond on a discussion wall by describing in their own words the two important Maori art forms introduced in the scene.
Teacher MovesOptionally have students read an additional article about the threat of losing traditional carving and reflect on the role of traditional arts in societies, connecting back to Aboriginal art. Guide students to accurately describe raranga (weaving) and whakairo (carving), and share strong examples with the class to deepen understanding and prompt discussion.
Students view images of Maori performance and sculpture, then explore Maori Culture, #1, Story: Maori, and Maori Culture, #2 to investigate broader aspects of Maori culture. Each student selects one aspect of Maori culture (such as religion, food, language, traditions, meetings, tattoos, haka, or another topic), conducts additional online research, and creates a report that includes a description, key facts, and may include images and maps. Students post their report or a link to a digital presentation tool on the discussion wall, then present their findings to the class and explain what they learned.
Teacher MovesSupport students in selecting focused topics and conducting effective online research, including organizing information and using appropriate digital tools for their reports. Provide feedback on clarity and accuracy as students prepare and share their work. If time does not allow for all students to present, direct students to review several classmates’ reports and respond with comments or questions to extend peer learning.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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