Activity Four

Australia and its Neighbours

Year Level: Three

Time: 30 Minutes

Curriculum Links:
Geographical Knowledge and
Understanding:
The location of Australias
neighbouring countries and
their diverse characteristics
(ACHGK016)
Geography Skills:
graphical data and information,
for example, by observing
by interviewing, conducting
surveys, measuring, or from
sources such as maps,
photographs, satellite
images, the media and the
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson,
students will have an
opportunity to demonstrate
their ability to:

To identify the location of

Australias neighbouring
countries and list the diverse
characteristics of the
countries.
To collect and record relevant
geographical information
through photographs and
satellite images, and through
the internet.

Curriculum Area:
Geography

Teacher Background
Knowledge:
From looking at an outside
perspective, this activity and its
corresponding lesson would take
place towards of a unit of work,
exploring Australia and its
neighbouring countries. Before
commencing this lesson and
activity, student should have
participated in two previous lessons.
The first lesson class explored
Australias physical location within a
global scale. Within this, the class
identified oceans, seas, and natural
environmental features surrounding
Australia, and the countries
neighbouring our continent (New
Zealand, Pacific Islands, Papa New
Guinea, Indonesia and TimorLeste).
For the second lesson, the classwithin small groups- are to create a
Symbaloo website*. For this, the
students are to have access to a
laptop, in which they have to start
looking for websites that contain

Activity Intentions:

As a class, we will recognise

and find the location of
Australias neighbouring
countries.
We will list some of specific
characteristics visible within
each country.
We will collect and record
data information by watching
a video, and using
information found on the

Assessment of, for, and as

Learning:
Assessment for learning:
Assessment for learning involves
teachers using evidence about
students' knowledge, understanding
and skills to inform their teaching.
The teacher is to assess the
students to collect and record
geographical data. Teacher can
assess this through making

Activity:
Using a projector, the teacher will
project a map illustrating the AsiaPacific region. Within their groups,
the students are to use a
combination of IPads and
computers, especially the class
Symbaloo site, to find information
about the countries that neighbour
Australia. On the IPads, the children
can use the app Bound Round.
This app allows students to select
countries and cities on an
interactive globe and explore some
of the geographical features of that
place. Once the students have
found relevant information, they are
to write it on a sticky note and place
it on the appropriate country. The
sticky note should contain
information such as: distance from
Australia, direction from Australia,
population, dominant religion etc.
Once the students have put up all
their relevant stick notes, the
teacher is then to call out a country,

Connections to the General Capabilities:

Literacy: This activity connects to the general capability of literacy through:

Descriptions of observed objects, living things or countries.

Comprehend texts.
Navigate, read and view learning area texts.

Numeracy: This activity connects to the general capability of numeracy

through:
Interpret maps and diagrams.
ICT: This activity connects to the general capability of literacy through:
Valuing ICT as a quick method to find information; playing games with
friends; taking virtual tours; observing events in real time.
Intercultural Understanding: This activity connects the general capability of
intercultural understanding through:
Investigate culture
Connections to the Cross Curriculum Priorities:
Asia and Australias Engagement with Asia:
The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions,
cultures, belief systems and religions.