Racism. No Way - Anti-racism education for Australian schools

1.4: Connections

Lesson overview

Theme:Developing identity and self-esteem
Age Group:Year 1
Learning Area:Geography
Outcomes:GE1-1

Content descriptor

Students describe features of places and the connections people have with those places.

Teachers notes

  1. This activity requires students to investigate their origins.
  2. Students may need to consult parents and/or other family members to identify places or countries with which they have connections. In this case, the activity may be conducted over more than one session.
  3. Due to background research required, students could utilise the internet if required.
  4. For added visual impact, use different coloured string to map each student’s individual connections.

Resources

Map of Australia with pins and string

Map of the world, map of Australia, string (preferably in a range of colours), pins OR coloured markers and ruler

Activity

  1. Introduce this activity by explaining that Australians come from a range of backgrounds and often have connections with other cultures or places.
  2. Display a map of the world and/or Australia. Give examples of some of the different places shown on the map(s).
  3. As a model, identify places on the map(s) with which you are connected or affiliated. These may include places where you or your ancestors have lived or from which you or your ancestors originated. Ask students to then identify the places with which they or their family are connected.
  4. Mark students’ names on the places to which they are connected.
  5. Mark the location of the school on the map(s). Connect the school’s location to all places with which students are connected using separate lines or string so that all lines radiate out from the school’s location.
  6. Draw students’ attention to the number of places to which they are connected. Explain that all Australians other than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have migrated to Australia from other countries and that many Australians also migrate internally within Australia.