The Corner makes
An Archipelago
Summary
After watching the ‘Picture This’ story 'How fire was brought to Torres Strait’, the activity will allow children to explore the geography of the archipelago of the Torres Strait.
Rationale
The Torres Strait Islands are a unique part of Queensland, both culturally and geographically. This activity focuses on engaging children with the physical aspects of the Torres Strait such as its location, structure and beautiful colours. By exploring the archipelago, children will be better able to understand the culture that has evolved there, for instance, travelling from island to island by boat, fishing for tropical fish and the importance of the sea in all aspects of Islander life.
Key concepts
Design, Craft and Exploration
Key language:
Island, Archipelago and Torres Strait.
Materials
Plain paper party plates or, alternatively, pure plastic picnic plates
Crayons/felt pens or water colour paint
Scissors
Hole-punch
Household rubber bands
Stapler
Glue/sticky-tape on dispenser
Activity steps
Step 1: Watching the story
Watch the ‘Picture This’ story ‘How fire was brought to Torres Strait’.
The story and the artwork in it were made by children at the State Library of Queensland.
Ask children to look out for the many different islands shown in this story.
Strategic questions:
- Have you ever been to an island before?
- What was it like? Was it a big or small island?
You may also like to point out that Australia is actually a very, very big island.
Step 2: Exploring the Torres Strait
Show children a map of the Torres Strait and find the island that your chosen story comes from.
- Explain to children what an archipelago is: An archipelago, sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands.
- Have children sound out the word and repeat it after you. Note - children enjoy learning long and complicated words. Take the tone of a game rather than that of an English lesson.
Show children aerial photographs of the Islands in the Torres Strait. Ask children to take note of the colours.
Strategic questions:
- What part of the island is yellow?
- What part is light blue?
- What are the green parts?
Step 3: Make your own island
Invite children to make their own island using coloured paper and collage materials. Encourage older children to add drawings of sea creatures, boats, people and villages. Show them a finished prototype – preferably one that a child has done.
- Hand out blue, yellow and green pieces of paper reiterating the link between the colours and the parts of the island.
Strategic questions:
- What sort of things can you find on an island?
Step 4: Naming your island
When children are satisfied with what they have made, ask them to write the name of their island.
- You could suggest they use their own name written backwards! Stick the island up on a mural to make your very own archipelago!
Strategic questions:
- What is the name of your island?
Tips:
- Older children might like to talk about other collective nouns (the special words we use for groups of things). Eg. Flock of birds, herd of cows, bunch of flowers, school of fish, murder of crows etc. Check out these links for inspiration -
- Children may like to make a flag for their island. Have a look at the activity ‘Flag with Heart’
Last updated: 23rd September 2011
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