Week 24 - Review

We had such a fun week learning about the land "Down Under", Australia. The children learned that "down under" means that the continent is down under the equator (that invisible belt that continuously receives the sun's rays no matter what time of year) in the Southern hemisphere. They can each identify this continent with ease on a world map...and in books.

We've read many books. We learned that the Aborigine people lived there first and they have a special relationship with the land and sky. Each child can identify Uluru or Ayers Rock. We looked at aboriginal art. We heard the sounds of a didgeridoo, a very cool instrument that makes a deep, humming sound unlike anything they'd ever heard before.

We learned some wonderful songs...

 Kookabura Sits in the Old Gum Tree

 Waltzing Matilda
learning words like "swagman" - hobo, "billypot" - teapot, "billabong" - pool of water, "jumbuck" - sheep, "tuckerbag" - bag for food, "stockman" - cowboy "thoroughbred" - horse.

Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport

and my favourite True Blue Wonders
"There's a song that rides the wind, as it sweeps this ancient land. It tells of a land of wonders and those that call it home.
Come walkabout my big backyard and listen for the sound. You might hear the kangaroo singing right along. Kangaroo lives in the land down under. Kangaroo is a true blue wonder.
Then Kookabura, Crocodile and Dingo...the children then asked to do the other animals we've learned about. So, we added Platypus, Wombat, Koala...and made some actions.  Your children should remember each...but for those of you who don't have children attending and would like to teach this to your children...
Kangaroo hopping, Kookabura flapping wings, Crocodile arms stretched in front open/shut, Dingo hands like paws and a scrunched up mad face, Platypus hands in front of mouth like a duck-bill, Wombat digging paw hands, Koala sleeping or very lethargic and a Brolga (a bird) strutting.

They have learned to identify the Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge and the Great Barrier Reef.

Enjoy the MARCH BREAK week - and I'll see you back on Monday, March 18th.