Thematic Units - Australia Centers

Here is a collection of easy-to-make centers that can be included in any classroom during your study of Australia. If you have questions about any of them, feel free to contact me.

Australian Flag

Make Australian Flags

1. Decide how big you want your final flags.
2. Make several copies of the Australian flag and then cut out each star and bar. (You will need the following shapes, altogether: 1 large star, 4 medium stars, 1 small star, the white cross/criss-cross, the red cross, and the 4 small lines in the criss/cross.) This makes more sense with the flag in front of you.
3. Trace the copies onto tag board to make several sets of patterns. (You can have your flag background pieces pre-cut.)
4. Provide the students with red, white and blue construction paper. The blue is going to be the background (and will be pre-cut).
5. Students then trace the patterns on the appropriate colors, cut, and glue.
   Submitted by: teach@email-removed

Australia Puzzle

Make a puzzle from the map of Australia.

1. I took a large outline copy of the continent and traced it onto tag board.
2. I then cut my copy apart, and traced the outline of each territory on my continent.
3. Using a sharpie, I outlined the continent and territories.
4. I then cut out each territory and labeled them.
5. I laminated each individual puzzle piece for durability.
6. You can place the puzzle in a ziplock baggie for safe keeping.
   Submitted by: teach@email-removed

Australian Word Match

The Australian culture has a different way of describing everyday items. Create a word matching game where students have to match the English word with the Australian word. I typed the words in a large font on my computer, printed them out, cut them apart, mounted them on construction paper (one color for English, one color for Australian), and then laminated them. Here are a few to get you started:
g'day = good day
mate = friend
cobber = friend or coworker
ta = good-bye
Oz = Australia
tea = dinner
onkey-dorey=good
fair dinkum = genuine, the honest truth
dinkey-do = the real thing
barbie = a barbecue
tucker = food
sandshoes = sneakers
lollies = candy
lolly water = soft drinks
biscuits = crackers
boomer = big kangaroo
to smoodge = to kiss
cozzie = bathing suit
mum = mother
beaut = great
roo = kangaroo
bonzer = terrific
walloper = policeman
bushranger = outlaw
good on ya! = good for you!
joey = baby kangaroo
footie = football
mossies = mosquitoes
bloke = man, fellow, chap
walkabout = to wander
petrol = gasoline
takeaway = fast food shop
squatter = ranch owner
bush = countryside
Submitted by: teach@email-removed

Book of Seasons

Due to the tilt of the Earth and each of our locations, Australia experiences the opposite season that we are. To help students understand this concept, have them construct a book. We made our books small, about 4" x 6". On pages 2-10, students should write on the bottom of the page so they can add an appropriate illustration. This gives them the opportunity to learn what type of activities occur in Australia during each season.

Here are the pages:

• COVER: A Book of Seasons by:________________
• PAGE 1: Empty
• PAGE 2: "Did you know..."
• PAGE 3: "...that when we're having fall,"
• PAGE 4: "Australia is having spring?"
• PAGE 5: "...that when we're having winter,"
• PAGE 6: "Australia is having summer?"
• PAGE 7: "...when we're having spring,"
• PAGE 8: "Australia is having fall?"
• PAGE 9: "...when we're having summer,"
• PAGE 10: "Australia is having winter?"
• BACK COVER: I did!
  Submitted by: teach@email-removed

Boomerang

Find a simple boomerang pattern and make several patterns of it on tag board. Provide students with additional tag board for their own boomerang. After tracing the pattern, students cut out and decorate their boomerang. It's a good idea to provide some background and visual resources dealing with boomerangs.
Submitted by: teach@email-removed

Puzzles and Activities

To help conserve paper, I mounted crossword puzzles, word searches and other activities I found in my resource books to pieces of construction paper. I then laminated each one. Students can then use visa-vie markers to complete, wiping them clean when done. I made several of each puzzle/activity so more than one student could work on them. You may also want to have a key handy for checking. (This can also be laminated.) You can check out the crossword maker and word search maker here on The Teacher's Corner for quick and easy puzzles!
Submitted by: teach@email-removed

Territory Magnet Matching

Here is another great way to help your students learn the territory's names.

1. Using my computer, I found and printed a map of Australia. (If had no words and each territory was a different color.) I typed the territory names in a medium sized font and printed them out. (I also included the surrounding oceans.)
2. I mounted the map to a piece of construction paper, and the names to tag board.
3. I then laminated the map and names pieces.
4. I purchased a magnetic strip (has peel-off sticky on the back) at Office Depot. I cut the strip into small pieces, mounted one on each territory/ocean on the map, and one on each name piece.
5. The students could then match up the territory and ocean names. Store in ziplock baggies for protection.