Year 7 Lesson: Indigenous Australian Timbers and Cultural Uses

Curriculum Links

ACTDEP035: The nature of materials and their properties in design and technologies, such as timbers in woodwork.

ACTDEP036: Generate, develop, test and communicate design ideas, plans and processes for various audiences using appropriate technical terms and technologies including graphical representation techniques.

ACTDEP037: Select and justify choices of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to effectively and safely make designed solutions.

Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework: Cultural Responsiveness Standard - Staff embed Aboriginal cultural knowledge, such as traditional timber use in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, to demonstrate respect for community values and environmental stewardship.

Cross-Curriculum Priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures - Students explore pre-contact and contemporary uses of Australian timbers to understand Indigenous innovation and adaptation in material use.

Reading: Indigenous Australian Timbers and Cultural Uses

Indigenous Australians have utilized local timbers for thousands of years, integrating them into cultural, practical, and spiritual practices. In Western Australia, timbers from the Kimberley and Pilbara regions hold special significance. For instance, in the Kimberley, boab trees provide wood for carvings and didgeridoos, symbolizing connection to country. Bloodwood is used for spears and tools due to its durability. In the Pilbara, mulga wood is crafted into boomerangs and woomeras, valued for its strength in arid environments. Gidgee timber from the Pilbara is known for its hardness, used in ceremonial objects.

These timbers are not just materials but part of Dreamtime stories, teaching respect for nature. Aboriginal peoples harvested sustainably, taking only what was needed. In the Kimberley, sandalwood was traded and used for healing. Pilbara acacias provided wood for shelters and fire drills. Cultural uses include art, weapons, and musical instruments. Today, these practices influence modern woodwork, promoting reconciliation. Jarrah and karri from WA southwest are also used, but northern timbers highlight diversity. Understanding this fosters appreciation for Indigenous knowledge in design. Contemporary artists blend traditional methods with new techniques, preserving heritage. (Word count: 312)

Spelling Bank

Here are 20 words from the reading for spelling practice (click to hear the word and a longer sentence with context and meaning):

Example Sentences

  1. The word indigenous means native to a place. In the lesson, indigenous Australians used local timbers culturally.
  2. The word timbers means wood materials. In the reading, timbers from Kimberley are used for tools.
  3. The word kimberley refers to a WA region. In the context, Kimberley boab is for carvings.
  4. The word pilbara refers to a WA region. In the lesson, Pilbara mulga is for boomerangs.
  5. The word boab means a Kimberley tree. In the reading, boab wood is for didgeridoos.
Fill in the Blanks (Using words from the reading)
1. In the Kimberley, __________ trees provide wood for carvings.
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2. __________ is used for spears in the Kimberley.
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3. In the Pilbara, __________ wood is for boomerangs.
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4. Gidgee timber is known for its __________.
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5. Timbers are part of __________ stories.
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6. Harvesting was done __________.
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7. Contemporary artists preserve __________.
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Multiple Choice Questions
1. Kimberley timber for didgeridoos?
Attempts remaining: 2
2. Pilbara timber for woomeras?
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3. Used for healing in Kimberley?
Attempts remaining: 2
4. Pilbara acacias for?
Attempts remaining: 2
5. Timbers part of?
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6. Harvesting practice?
Attempts remaining: 2
7. Influences modern woodwork?
Attempts remaining: 2
Correct: 0
Wrong: 0
Resit test to get 100%

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