Knowledge Areas

THE KNOWLEDGE CIRCLE

The Knowledge Circle features the eight Traditional Knowledge Areas that are essential elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. Each Teaching With Aunty lesson is grouped under one of these knowledge areas to help target your teaching and learning in the selected topic and subject area. The icons for each Knowledge Area appear at the top of the Teaching Notes for each Teaching With Aunty.

KNOWLEDGE AREA	ICON	TOPICS COVERED
DREAMING		This knowledge area covers topics such as the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander belief that the Dreaming and creation time began at the dawn of time, remains bound up in the present and will endure forever. Where the Aboriginal creation stories and Torres Strait Islander legends came from The main characters and spiritual beings from the creation period of ancient Australians The cultural meanings in creation stories and legends How Aboriginal people explained the many unique features of native Australian animals How Aboriginal people named the thousands of sacred places across Australia Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area
FOOD GATHERING		This knowledge area covers topics such as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander knowledge of medicinal plants, and how plants and animals were utilised for tools, shelter and food. The skills that made ancient Australians expert trackers The plant and animal signs that told ancient Australians the weather and when to hunt for certain animals How ancient Australians utilised native animals How ancient Australians hunted The cooking methods and food of ancient Australians Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area
ART STYLES		This knowledge area covers topics such as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander art styles, the natural materials used and different design types. The different ways that ancient Australians painted their sacred images The different ways that ancient Australians made and decorated art with carvings and symbols How full use was made of nature to produce whatever ancient Australian artists needed How ancient Australians used natural materials to make art materials like brushes and paints Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area
WEATHER SEASONS		This knowledge area covers topics such as how Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people used plant, weather, sky and animal indicators to know what weather was coming. The different ways Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people knew the weather was changing The variety of nature signs ancient Australians used Sustainability and how ancient Australians looked after their environment, plants and animals so they could survive The different ways ancient Australians described the different types of weather seasons Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area
TOOLS, WEAPONS & UTENSILS		This knowledge area covers explanations of the tools, weapons and everyday items that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people used for thousands of years. The different types of traditional ancient Australian tools, weapons and everyday items and how they were made The amazing trade routes of ancient Australia The prized items that ancient Australians exchanged between each other Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area
CEREMONIES & DANCE		This knowledge area covers topics such as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultural events and sacred ceremonies, which are based on a strong belief system often described like a religion. The many amazing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander ceremonies that are thousands of years old The meanings of different ceremonies The huge feasts and celebrations known as corroborees The places where corroborees were held The importance of songs to ancient Australians The skills ancient Australians used to make their instruments Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area
FAMILY LIVING		This knowledge area covers topics such as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander kinship, family, daily life and gender roles. What it was like to be an ancient Australian child The lifestyle of ancient Australian children and the importance of totems The traditional games of ancient Australia How ancient Australians looked after each other The different roles each person in the family group played How intimate knowledge of the natural environment was critical to the survival of ancient Australians The techniques and skills that enabled the survival of ancient Australians The many languages of ancient Australia Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area
COUNTRY & PLACE		This knowledge area covers topics such as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander connection to country and sea. How Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people were one with their land and sea environments How the different landscapes of the ancient Australians were named and the stories attached to them The locations of the huge selection of cultural sites around Australia The different types of cultural sites and what they were used for Teaching With Aunty lessons for this Knowledge Area

"Inspiring students and teachers from every culture, with the stories, skills and knowledge of Ancient Australia"

THE KNOWLEDGE CIRCLE

WARNING: “Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images and/or names of people who have since passed away.”