Posts By Tracy Aroozoo
Japanese Term 3 2017
Mongolia week 5,6 and 7.
In this series of lessons we are all excited to learn about Mongolia’s amazing Throat singing traditions and skills.
In Mongolia, classical throat singing and playing of the “whoor” ( Mongolia’s version of a guitar) is taught at various universities and the children were amazed at the beauty and variety of sounds and versions of singing that can be made with the throat, including throat whistling and chest whistling!
Many fascinating you tube clips were viewed and discussed with the focus on Mongolia’s traditions and how we need to put ourselves in their “shoes” to truly understand significant differences in cultures and to be respectful of them.
We also studied the traditional customs of Mongolia and the students came to the realisation they have many customs that are similar to our own.
For example- inviting guests to eat and drink when they visit homes and respecting their elders.
Our year 3 classes watching and listening to traditional throat singing styles.
learning the legend of the Andai Dance and its importance.
Comparing Australian and Mongolian customs.
Comparing Australian and Mongolian customs.
Cultural Studies Weeks 3 and 4
This fortnight in Cultural Studies we are learning about traditional Mongolian clothes and the beautiful Gers/Yerts/Yurts that they live within Mongolia!
The Year 1,2,and 3 classes have been comparing their winter clothes with that of Mongolian clothes and we all agree that they really know how to keep warm on the frigid cold winters of Mongolia.
They year 4,5 and 6 classes have also been taking a detailed look at what they have learnt this year and reflected on information that has made an impact on their depth of understandings within the cultures of the countries we have covered this year.
It was very rewarding for me as their teacher to read the evidence of their learning and see their maturing outlook on becoming tolerant, aware and respectful of different cultures and their respective traditions.
Above are some of the samples of their work. In reflection, the students have remembered and discovered so many different facets of Asia and made their learning a growing part of their developing cultural awareness.
Term 4 Marvellous Mongolia! Week 1 and 2
Welcome to another fascinating term of learning in Cultural Studies!
This term I have decided to show the students a truly amazing country that is as diverse and different as you can get from our Australia.
Mongolia is a beautiful country that is full of tradition and simplicity. This fortnight we viewed a You tube clip of Mongolia and the students were so surprised at the incredible country side and the way of life the nomadic Mongolians have.
They were certainly interested in learning more and this first set of lessons has sparked their thirst for more!
We have learnt about the Mongolian Flag and the symbolism of the colour red- prosperity, Blue- the beautiful sky of Mongolia and the yellow “Soyombo” which is a collection of symbols in a column that represent fire, sun,moon,earth, water and the Ying Yang symbol.
Here we are watching a you- tube clip introducing Mongolia and what the people and scenery look like as well and discovering what the climate and animals are like.
Many children remarked on the differences to the other asian countries we have studied.
Here we see the country of Mongolia and its neighbours- Russia, China and Kazakhstan.
We looked at the position of Mongolia and realised how the position in the world would affect the weather and the style of traditional clothing within the country.
Here we are drawing the Mongolian national flag and comparing it with our own.
Cultural Studies – Indian Expo extravaganza!
This fortnight the students at St Emilie’s had the wonderful opportunity to display their weeks of hard work and learning discoveries in our India Expo in the hall on Wednesday.
It was a really special evening where our year 6 guides were able to take visitors through the distinctive learning opportunities and cultural understandings that we have studied this term.
Jordan explaining Gond Art
Marc and Connor showing off our Indian Elephants
Chelsea and Alessia teach us about Hindi prayer mats.
Lillian and Shania show off the Pre-Primary 3-D version of the folk tale”Rama, Sita and the Demon King!”
Rachel shows us the children and what place in the world they are from.
Georgia and Isabella were “a-light” with information about the Diwali candles, and full of fun facts about this important festival in Indian culture.
Shenae, Shanice and Cara were informing people about Henna designs and the Kindy children’s family history.
Jordana and Gigi were full bottle on the marvellous Mother Theresa and her impact on the poor and poverty stricken in India.
Ethan and Alex’s display show they year 5 efforts of images with powerful words to evoke change in India and its society.
Maddy and Anisha were proud to show off the Year 2 efforts of the national bird of India- the Peacock!
Tomos was proud to discuss the heritage of families within St Emilie’s and where they came from.
we were very fortunate to have Maneesha Freeth with two of her friends who gave beautiful detailed and delicate henna Tattoos to our students.
Mrs Aroozoo and our students in Indian Dress.
Close up of the detail in our Dhurrie prayer mats.
Lara and Chido teach us about Rangoli art and its importance in Indian festivals and Diwali celebrations.
We were busy all night with families coming through to appreciate our learning.
The beautifully detailed year 6 henna masks.
Close up!
Bringing the Australian Curriculum to families has been a wonderful experience for us all!
Cultural Studies Weeks 5 and 6
This fortnight we are busy preparing for our open night extravaganza in week 9!
Each year level will be showcasing a cultural aspect from India that they have learnt this term and will display their understandings in a visual arts display!
Here are our year 5 students making Diwali lights and candles as we are studying the festival of Lights as a significant celebration in India
Each Diwali candle will be as unique as their creators!
The year one and six classes have been creating Henna designs on masks and hand outlines and learning about the origins of Henna have been fascinating!
Our imaginative year 3 classes are studying the intricacy of Rangoli art and making their own designs for our open night. We cant wait to display them!
Here our Year 4 students are making Rangoli Prayer mats. They are confidently using a variety of textured paper and mediums to create different designs.
This is just a sample of the information texts and stimulus pictures used in our lessons this fortnight to help inspire the children in their art. ( As well as you tube clips, music and books!)
Cultural Studies- India Weeks 3 and 4
This fortnight in cultural studies, our year 1,2 and 3 classes have listened to the story, Rama and the Demon King”.This book was a rich resource in initiating discussions about clothing, ancient indian beliefs,and illustrating life lessons about bravery, family ties, faithfulness, honesty and forgiveness.
The children drew their favourite part, and it was wonderful to see the variety of different viewpoints the children have taken from the story. They then rated the story and justified their answers.
Our Book focus for the week.
We also discussed the variety and diversity of traditional Indian clothing and that it was important to note that depending on the type of Indian language spoken, for example-Hindi- ( there are many different languages and colloquial versions depending on the region of India you are from) the names and styles of clothing changes and varies.
The words we learnt were- Sari for women and Sherwani for men. We watched some Bollywood dances featuring traditional clothes and children drew themselves in traditional dress.
Boys wearing the Sherwani.
Girls wearing the Sari.
Our Year 4,5 and 6 students did a visual and written summary of their learning so far and discussed the amazing differences and similarities within our culture and India.
We used our I pads to research and depth to our discoveries.
A sample of the beautiful detailed discoveries of our senior students!
Term 3 Cultural Studies weeks 1-2 Introducing India!
This term we are excited to study and learn about the incredible diversity and richness of India.
We have planned a term full of creative and though provoking learning with a focus on cultural similarities and differences, social Justice issues in India, as well as fascinating festivals, traditional dress, history and of course…Food!!!!
This learning will culminate on our Open Night in Week 9 where all the children’s hard work and progress will be on display!
This fortnight the children have had a great time learning about where India is exactly, as well as its neighbours, and the meaning behind the national flag, as well as looking at some entertaining you-tube clips of Bollywood dancing and discovering some famous Indians!
We have been discovering the different regions within India and its geographical neighbours.
Here we learnt the significance of the colours of the Indian Flag.
Saffron orange-Bravery.
White- Peace and purity.
Green- New life and Prosperity.
Blue Wheel- Ashoka Chakra- Wheel of law.
Here we discussed all the fascinating things we want to lean about India and the wonderful questions we want answered this term!
We really enjoy the you tube clips and here we are learning how to speak in Hindi (One of the many languages within India) “Namaste” can be used both as hello and goodbye. It means- “I honour you”.
Cultural Studies- Philippines weeks 9,10 and 11.
In the final weeks of this term we have had a wonderful time learning about the beautiful folktales of the Philippines and the main religions of the country.
The Philippines are mainly Catholic. Like us in Australia, the Philippines have a diversity of religions but are mainly Catholic. We explored some beautiful Spanish churches and compared them with our own in Australia and found some amazing similarities!
In keeping with our learning “habit of Mind” skill of applying past knowledge, we compared our learning of Vietnamese Buddhist temples with what we now know of the churches in the Philippines.
The senior classes -years 4-6 watched the Philippine folktale- Tung kung Langit and compared it with our own “Creation story” from Genesis in the Bible and the junior classes watched “The First Pineapple” and discussed the origins of folktales and the life lessons they teach- In this lovely folktale the life lesson is to be diligent when doing your chores and to help out Mum and Dad when they are busy! What a great example!
Below are some of the results of our discoveries in the last few weeks!
