Planning a desert experience with your students
NSW Teachers Year 7- 8
The Australian deserts have had a profound impact on its traditional custodians, pioneers, and those who live, work and visit the region. These pages will provide everything you need to ensure your students have an authentic and enriching experience in the Australian deserts. Student and teacher materials use innovative learning strategies that will assist you to meet your curriculum requirements.
The units of work can be used for:
- Cross-curriculum unit of work Stages 3, 4 and 5
- Science Syllabus – investigation Stages 4 and 5
Content
Five complete of units of work that will appeal to all learners.
Middle year links to the Essential Learnings and Standard 3 Outcomes, Standard 4 Outcomes and Standard 5 Outcomes.
A student section that will:
- assist them with their research
- provide them with learning challenges
- access desert experiences
- provide them with experiences in the desert that will extend their learning beyond their current imagination
- help you, the other organisers and students to prepare and plan for their great adventure in the Australian deserts.
Preparation and organisation
For students to have some input into their desert experience, the unit of work will need to start well in advance so their experiences can be arranged. Students will need to have access to the internet. There are many advantages for students to work in groups, particularly to discuss their research and choice of challenges and experiences.
Units of work
A desert excursion will provide very rich learning experiences for students. The following units can be treated as Science, Geography or cross-curriculum.
What could central Australia be like in 30 Years?
What are the different ways to read the landscape in Central Australia?
How is it possible to survive in a desert?
How are people inspired by the Australian deserts?
Why is diversity the spice of life?
