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Explore Australia Summer Class

In this ongoing summer class, students will explore all things Australian, from geography to biology, flora and fauna, history of the land and the indigenous people, and some unique language that makes this the special country that it is.
Micole (Teacher, Permaculturist, Homeschooler)
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(30)
Class

What's included

2 live meetings
1 in-class hours per week

Class Experience

Love to travel but don't have the time?  Does Australia seem too far away?  Well, let me offer you a taste of Australia direct from Down Under.

In this ongoing, bi-weekly, summer class I will be exploring all the wonderful, weird, and terrifying things Australia has to offer.  For those who love to travel but have not had an opportunity to come 'Down Under', come on this virtual journey with me as we explore the land and sea around this great island country.  You will learn geography and biology of the land, flora and fauna.  Learn how Australia became this island country we know it is now,  why most of the country is desert, how animals can survive in some of these harsh climates, names and special features of the beautiful Australian native trees (ie. flowering gums, callistemon, grevilleas) and of course, marsupials, species endemic to Australia.  Learn geography and all about the population of this great land (why so few), who are the people who live here, what is the capital and how is the country divided into States and Territories.  Learn the history of this land, from the Indigenous people and their division of land (there are over 250 different aboriginal peoples here, all with their own languages) to the explorers and colonists who have come since (who was really the first foreigner to arrive).  We will also explore the famous sights, manmade and natural, including the Sydney Opera House, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef and more.

Answer questions like:
Why is it called the Great Australian Bight?
How were the 12 apostles formed (and why aren't there 12 now)?
What makes Uluru change color from dawn through the day and again at sunset?
What is the difference between a bandicoot and bilby?
What are marsupials and why are they so special?
Want to know more about the country with the most deadliest snakes?  
Is there really a bird-eating spider??  (And yes, there is.)
Is a platypus really a mammal that lays eggs??!!  Did you know they can be deadly???
Are you hungry enough to eat a witchetty grub?

Come with me as we explore the answers to these questions and so many more.  Every session we will have a focus of study; whether biology or geology, flora or fauna (sometimes both if they are a habitat species such as koalas and gum trees).  I will share stories from explorers or ancient tales or even childhood classics (Blinky and Bill), historical facts, scientific facts.  We will create art (paintings and pastel drawings) and entice the weary traveler to place Australia at the top of their list of places to see!  

Don't let the fact that we have 5 of the top 5 deadliest animals in the world (they'll get you on land and in the sea)...Australia is a fascinating country of deep history, gorge-ous geography, wild and immense deserts, animals like no where else and earth and a population of laid back, thong (that's a shoe) wearing people who will always welcome you with a G'day mate and a cuppa (that's a cup of tea).

Week of June 6th: Geography - how did it become an island
Week of June 13th: History  - look at different indigenous cultures, names and maps of the country from before foreign settlers, hear the creation stories of the indigenous peoples "The Rainbow Serpent"
Week of June 20th: History - Who was the first foreigner to come to Australia?  What did they leave behind and how did we know they were here?  History of the English in Australia.
Week of June 27th: Biology - Stromatolites and their 'kiss of life' and the Box Jellyfish, deadliest (most venomous) animal on our planet
Week of July 4th: Biology - Marsupials and Gum Trees
Week of July 11th: Stories from explorers and indigenous culture (find Chambers Pillar and more)
Week of July 18th: Warratahs 

This class is ongoing and does not add in content from previous sessions.  Students are welcome to join at any time.

Other Details

Supply List
A notebook, colored pencils or pens, a writing pencil, and a keen interest to travel and explore new places!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
History: Australian Mythology The Story of Australia First People-1805 by Australian Geographic The Story of Australia by Robert Lewis Australia's Most Unbelievable True Stories by Jim Haynes 1788 The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet by David Hill Junior Atlas of Indigenous Australia by Macquarie Dictionary Songlines by Margo Neale and Lynne Kelly Listening to Country by Ros Moriarty Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta Journey Into Dreamtime Aboriginal Dreamtime by Munya Andrews Biology: Encyclopedia Of Australian Animals by Young Reed Recovering Australian Threatened Species, A Book of Hope by Stephen Garnett (Editor), Peter Latch (Editor), David Lindenmayer (Editor), John Z. Woinarski (Editor) Field Guide to Mammals of Australia Third Edition by Peter Menkhorst, Frank Knight Cronin's Key Guide to Australian Wildlife Cronin's Key Guide by Leonard Cronin A Naturalist's Guide to Dangerous Creatures of Australia by Peter Rowland (Author), Scott Eipper (Author) The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals by Sami Bayly Geography: The Geology of Australia by Robert Henderson, David Johnson (more will be added and updated)
5.0
30reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Boston University
I immigrated from America to this amazing land of Australia 20 years ago.  I have studied here (education degree, Steiner education degree, and Permaculture), married here (to an Aussie), had my children here, work here, teach here.....and love this country.  We have a 4 wheel drive and travel extensively through remote areas to find out more about this country.  As a teacher and a scientist, I am fascinated with the abundant differences in this land, from its people to its plants and animals and I am always looking and learning new things.
I have been teaching in Australia for 17 years and in that time I have worked with indigenous liaisons from many different aboriginal groups here in Australia, each with their own language, stories, and history.  I have participated in cultural smoking ceremonies (where the indigenous use smoke from a fire to cleanse you before entering their land), sitting yarns, crafting circles and cooking with bush tucker (native foods).  

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$35

weekly ($18 per class)
2x per week
30 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-6 learners per class

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