Ms. Grese's Guide to Australia

Ms. Grese's Guide to Australia

This guide is a resource for teachers who would like information on creating a thematic unit on Australia. Take a look at the links below for web sites that are chock-full of information about the land Down Under!

Scroll down or choose from this menu!

The Olympic Games

Fun Facts and Activities

Teacher Resources

Science

Literature

Social Studies

The Olympic Games - Sydney 2000

The Olympics may be the reason that so many people are interested in Australia right now. Here are a few links to sites about the 2000 games.

Fun Facts and Activities

About Australia! - A great site that tells all about Australia with categories like lifestyle and business, broken down by territory.
Fab Facts - Information from Australia's National Mapping Agency
Surfing Australia - Everything about surfing down under, from contest to surf schools!
About: Australia - A list of facts about Australia. Check out the Australians' favorite song and Australian slang!
Gander Academy, Australia Theme - See Australian endangered animals and an internet project done by some Australian school children.
Australian Food - This is a site dedicated to the food of Australia. Warning! This page may make you hungry!
Australian Holidays - A guide to Aussie holidays and their histories.

Teacher Resources

Collaborative Projects

AustraliaQuest - The Mystery - Join the latest quest in which millions of children all over the world have participated already. Last year was AmericaQuest...next stop, Down Under!
EnviroNet Monitoring Projects - A list of projects that classes can join with other students from around the world. Try bird watching or insect collection. Learning about your local natural environment can be easily linked to the environment and creatures of Australia!

Lesson Plans

Save the Oceans Poster - Your students can create posters with reasons to preserve ocean life. The world's smallest continent (and the only continental island) plays a large role in global ocean issues.
Ocean Life Mural - Creating murals of the ocean is both fun and educational! Encourage conservation through art.
Ocean Puzzle Fun - Word searches, crosswords, and more - all about the ocean. Personalize with Australian species.

Information Sites

Argot Library of Educational Resources - The Australian national library has tons of information. Click on the Australia "Menu" to go to their section of Aussie info.
Australian Stone Tools on display in the ANU. - This is a guide to an exhibit of Aboriginal stone tools, and also links to an Aboriginal history site.
Kakadu - Australia's Ancient Wilderness - An incredible PBS site - crocodiles, classroom resources, even a screen saver!
National Museum of Australia - The official home page of the National Museum of Australia.
Geological Society of Australia - Education - The homage of the GSA, with links to their projects.
Australia - A page that links to major information sites about Australia.
Embassy of Australia - The official homage of the Australian Embassy.

Science - Ecosystems and Wildlife

Australia's National Parks - Take a look at the natural beauty of Australia!
Forestry Australia - This kid friendly site tells how Australia uses its natural resources in the timber industry, while doing their part to maintain the environment.
Ferns of the Canberra Region - A guide to the ferns of Australia - one of the most plentiful plants on the continent. Check out these pictures!
Australian Animal Printouts - Check out these Aussie animals.
Greenpeace International - Greenpeace is known for its conservation efforts. This site is dedicated to saving the oceans of the world.
Take A Walk in the Rainforest - Click on the "first slide" bar to begin your walk through the rainforest, complete with descriptions!
Australian Nature Photography - This page has some beautiful pictures. You can order their note cards and postcards with brilliant photos of Australian wildlife.

Literature
Books, Authors and Folk Tales

These are the covers of two books I recommend! Check the links below for reviews, a synopsis, and even ordering information from Amazon.com!

Rainbow Bird : An Aboriginal Folk tale from Northern Australia, Vol. 1, Eric Maddern, Adrienne Kennaway (Illustrator)
Favorite Folk tales from Around the World
Dreamtime : Aboriginal Stories
Minah : A Poem in Four Parts
Big Rain Coming
Dirrangun

Check out these last three books, illustrated brilliantly by Bronwyn Bancroft (see above pictures), a descendant of Australian Aborigines in the territory of New South Wales:

Social Studies
Geography

Maps of Australia and the Pacific - Great maps!
Australia - Thorough information of the Australian flag and its history.
Times around the world - Australia - Take a look at the current time in each of the territories of Australia.
ABC Maps of Australia; Flag, Map, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System - Different maps of Australia, from topography to regional. Also connects to other links about the country.

History of Settlement

History of Australia - A comprehensive guide to many historical aspects of Australia.
Australia's Early Exploration and Colonization - An account of major events in Australian history, beginning with its discovery by Europeans.
Australian History - Another great site on the history of Australia, including information about Aborigines.

Aborigines

Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre - Take a look at the art and culture efforts of Aborigines.
Aborigines - The First Australians - An account of Aborigines, the native people of Australia.
Aboriginal History and Culture Research Project - The center for researching about Aborigines.
Dharawal Education Centre Home Page - The homage of a society to educate the public about the Dharawal, a group of Aborigines.

Two Aborigine schools in the Outback share their projects:

This site was created by Whitney Grese, a 3rd grade teacher in the Bronx, New York, at Community School 4. Questions or comments can be directed to Ms. Grese at khrysalis@usa.net. Thanks for coming!