This document describes a cross-curricular project on Aboriginal art for a 1st year primary school class. The project incorporated lessons in art and design, literacy, geography, history, science, and music. In art, students learned about Aboriginal patterns and techniques before designing and painting their own boomerangs. In literacy, they read a story with patterned language and wrote their own version set in Australia. Other lessons included locating Australia on a map, learning about Aboriginal life, and Aboriginal musical instruments. The overarching goals were to investigate patterns, recognize them across cultures, and celebrate Aboriginal culture.

1. Training Course: Art and Design and the Integrated Curriculum Alcalá de Henares 29 November - 1 December 2010 Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art

3. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art PATTERNS MATHS LITERACY HISTORY GEOGRAPHY MUSIC SCIENCE ART & DESIGN A CROSS-CURRICULAR PROJECT

5. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art EXPLORING AND DEVELOPING IDEAS http://bit.ly/eSr6Pd We looked at this website, the Brooklin Children’s museum , to learn about patterns. Once we identified different types , we played games and came up with our own interactive patterns. Child playing online games ART & DESIGN

6. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art EXPLORING AND DEVELOPING IDEAS Pattern spotting: We went on a school trip to spot different types of patterns. Children took pictures of some and then, back in class, they chose one of the patterns to sketch it. ART & DESIGN

7. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art EXPLORING AND DEVELOPING IDEAS Pattern spotting: Children were asked to look for patterns at home. They took pictures of some and these were uploaded to the school website. All these patterns were shared with the class. Patterns from children’s homes ART & DESIGN

8. BLACK SNAKE DREAMING Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art EXPLORING AND DEVELOPING IDEAS Examples of patterns in other cultures: We looked at examples of Aboriginal patterns using a wide range of 2.0 classroom resources such as slideshare or youtube. http://youtu.be/K9g56TCQYGs CAMPSITE http:// slidesha.re/dDXle4 ART & DESIGN

10. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art INVESTIGATING AND MAKING Children were shown an authentic australian boomerang that Mario, our headteacher, got from one of his countless travels around the world. Then they were asked to design their own boomerang on paper including a little sketch of an Australian animal. We discussed about Earth colours, patterns, techniques,etc. What a nice design I am ready for some more action ART & DESIGN

11. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art Finally children were provided with small wooden boomerangs that they painted by looking at their designs. They first painted the background with Earth colours and then used chopping sticks for patterns just like aborigines. We also painted our faces. a. Painting backgrounds b. Going dotting c. Proud of their job ART & DESIGN INVESTIGATING AND MAKING

12. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art EVALUATING AND DEVELOPING In pairs, children looked at each other’s work and described their own boomerangs and said what they liked about somebody else’s. All the boomerangs were displayed in class. Then children completed an assessment form using I Can statements. ART & DESIGN

13. Investigating Patterns: Aboriginal Art EVALUATING AND DEVELOPING We all went to the playground with our boomerangs and practiced to throw them. READY, STEADY, GO! ART & DESIGN