Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Tune In: Yulunga

25 minutes

Find Out: Research and record

20 minutes

Take Action: Lead a game!

5 minutes

Reflection

Learning intentions

Students will:

explore different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sports and games from around Australia.

Success criteria

Students can:

recall the rules and skills required to play a traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander game
outline the rules and skills required to play a traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander game to their classmates and create a presentation to show others how to play the game.

Tune In: Yulunga

Step 1

Explain to your students that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the oldest living cultures in the world. They have existed for over 65,000 years on the continent of Australia, and because of this, they have thousands of years of stories and knowledge. A part of the knowledge they have shared are the traditional games played by different mobs and clans throughout the country. These games have been collated for children and adults of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The word Yulunga means ‘playing’ in the language of the Kamilaroi (Gamori) people of northern-western New South Wales.

Step 2

Introduce students to the Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games resource by displaying this webpage (sportaus.gov.au/yulunga) to your students. Explain to students that this website shows a selection of games and activities from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies all around Australia. These games allow us to learn about, appreciate and experience different aspects of Indigenous culture.

Step 3

Model how to search for games on the website using the game category feature. Invite students to explore the games themselves using their personal devices, either individually or in pairs. Students should select 1-3 games to read about.

Step 4

Lead a class discussion with students where they can share any information they learnt about the games with the class. Use the following prompts in your discussion:

What games interested you? Why?
What Country or mob did the games originate from?
Have you played any games similar to these before?
What games would you like to try?

Find Out: Research and record

Step 1

Explain to your students that we are going to propose that 1 of these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island games should be included in the Commonwealth Games. Divide your students into groups. Direct each group to select 1 of the traditional games to research. Students can document their research in the Student Worksheet.

Step 2

Your students’ task is to create a 3-minute presentation for the class outlining their chosen traditional game and why they think it should be chosen as a sport for the Commonwealth Games. In their presentation, they should include:

the name of the game and the clan and/or Country in which the game originated
how to play the game
rules of the game
core skills involved
equipment that is needed (how to make or source the equipment may need to be included)
statement outlining why this game should be included as a sport in the Commonwealth Games.

Extension opportunity: If time permits, you could get students to create a video explainer for their chosen game.

Students must acknowledge the clan and/or Country in which the game originated to acknowledge the cultural intellectual property of the game.

Literacy extension: Students could write a letter to Commonwealth Games Australia presenting a case for including their chosen sport in future Commonwealth Games.

Take Action: Lead a game!

Step 1

Grab your popsicle sticks and ask each group to write the name of their traditional game on the popsicle stick. Once each group returns the popsicle stick, place them in a cup and select 1 popsicle stick from the cup. Read out the name on the popsicle stick to the class, and invite the group up to present their game (or their explainer video) to the class.

Step 2

Explain to students that this group will lead the class in running the selected game in an outdoor or open space. Students may need to source the game's equipment from your sports storage room. Ensure that students are supported where needed in leading the game and encourage active listening from all students.

If time permits, choose another popsicle stick at random and repeat the process!

Reflection

Ask students to reflect on their learning by completing the reflection questions in the Student Worksheet. After responding, invite students to share their reflections with the class.

How could we promote playing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sports in our community?
What is the value of sharing and practising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sports?

Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Games

Go to

Summary

Lesson Guides and Printables

In this lesson

Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Games

Go to

Summary

Lesson Guides and Printables

In this lesson