Planning a desert experience with your students
Victorian 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.
Content
Five complete of units of work that will appeal to all learners.
Links to the learning standards for Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 (version – modified December 2005).
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 them 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 have been designed to encapsulate the Principles of Teaching and Learning and the Victorian Essential Learning Standards.
The links below will take you to a page where you can download:
- Complete units of work
- Assessment, planning and thinking tools
- Reference list to the most relevant VELS standards
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?
