A young boy, Ernie moves with his family to the outback Oenpelli Community of Gunbalanya, (24 km east of Darwin) in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, for a year. He writes home to his friends about his experiences. He learns that they are studying the exact place in which he is living. Follow Ernie’s adventures with his six new friends. The story is based on the author, Alison Lester’s visit to the community.
Before Reading
The book is called Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo.
Which one is Ernie on the front cover? Why do you think this?
Where could he be? Why do you think he is dancing?
What else do you think Ernie might do in this story?
What is a didgeridoo? Who is playing the didgeridoo? How is it made? Show pictures of didgeridoos and
listen to a recording of one being played below.
Which one is Ernie on the front cover? Why do you think this?
Where could he be? Why do you think he is dancing?
What else do you think Ernie might do in this story?
What is a didgeridoo? Who is playing the didgeridoo? How is it made? Show pictures of didgeridoos and
listen to a recording of one being played below.
Reading and Doing
Ernie is going to live in Arnhem Land. Where is Arnhem Land? On a map of Australia find Darwin, Arnhem Land, and the East Alligator River. (Use the slide share presentation below to do this)
Read the story and discover the different seasons throughout the year in Arnhem land. How are these seasons different to the 4 seasons we have where we live? You might like to read the rest of the slide share to show how dramatically the weather changes throughout the year. In each of the seasons Ernie was able to do and see different things. The children try to recall what Ernie and his friends did in each season.
Read the story and discover the different seasons throughout the year in Arnhem land. How are these seasons different to the 4 seasons we have where we live? You might like to read the rest of the slide share to show how dramatically the weather changes throughout the year. In each of the seasons Ernie was able to do and see different things. The children try to recall what Ernie and his friends did in each season.
For Aboriginal people in all parts of Australia the seasons are about how all of nature works together. When the winds come and a flower blooms it might signal that there are plenty of fish ready to catch in the river. This will be different for different parts of Australia. The Aboriginal people in the past have learned to live very closely with the land and the weather changes in their area.
This final video will explain what the seasons mean for one group of aboriginal people, also in Arnhem Land in the NT. Click here and the select SEASONS
http://www.12canoes.com.au
This final video will explain what the seasons mean for one group of aboriginal people, also in Arnhem Land in the NT. Click here and the select SEASONS
http://www.12canoes.com.au