Expedition Planning Party
What a great way to spark enthusiasm and set off on your voyage in to your new unit. Before launching in to your new topic spend time with your students exploring the new topic, what it is about, why it is part of their learning journey and establishing what they already know. There are several ways to do this and we’ve created a solution for your but first let’s consider the possibilities.

Brainstorming
Generate discussion and thought by holding a class brainstorming session. You could follow the KWL method by sorting their responses in to what they already know (K), what they want to know (W) and how will they know they’ve learnt it, or at the end of the unit return to the chart and record what they’ve learnt (L)
Aussie Star Resources has created the Australian Explorers Introduction Pack which is a quick and simple way to navigate your students to the topic of Australian Explorers – and best of all it’s FREE so you won’t have to dip in to your own slush fund or contact your ships Paymaster! In this pack you’ll find 5 great tasks to inspire and engage your students without having to spend your own time creating quizzes and resources – it’s all here ready for you.
'What If’ Scenarios and discussion prompts
These 16 prompts are a great way to generate discussion and debate amongst your students. Look out though, it could become one of those lessons that you just have to roll with once they get going! (these are sometimes the best lessons) Children can find it difficult to think beyond the here and now but these scenarios are sure to get them to consider what life might be like if Captain Cook hadn’t claimed Australia for Britain, if the British settlers hadn’t had guns and if only the east coast of Australia was settled as British territory. This activity also includes a recording sheet for students to record their thoughts for one scenario which could be completed with a partner to help them consider all the possibilities.


Australia is a vast continent and by mapping their expeditions students can grasp they enormity of their achievements. This activity requires students to track the routes taken by eight of Australia’s explorers and discuss the possible reasons for their expeditions and the dangers they faced.

Navigating My Own Exploration
This is flip book is an alternative to a boring KWL chart and provides a record of individual student learning and progress from the start of the unit to the end. Asking students to record their own understanding and reflect on what they’ve learnt is a great way to help them take responsibility and ownership of their learning.

These lists are the perfect complement to your Australian Explorer teaching unit. These Look, Say, Cover Write, Check lists allow for daily practise and are designed to cater for three levels of ability. They are ideal for homework or as part of your daily routine.

Starting a new unit of work is an exciting time but it can also be a lot of work. Hopefully your students will remember the topic of Australian Explorers as fondly as I do! I also hope that these ideas and resources make it a lot easier and Don’t get bogged down in the preparation when the fun and joy of your job is in teaching and participating in lesson with your students.
Happy exploring!