First Nations Media

Year Level

Year 3-4

Duration

60 minutes

Subject

Media Arts

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Learning Intentions

• Students will explore how First Nations Australians use media arts, including modern animation and film, to communicate their connection to and responsibility for Country/Place.
• Students will use media languages, media technologies, and production processes to create representations that communicate ideas and perspectives related to this connection.
• Students will develop respectful understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures through media arts.

Success Criteria

• Students can describe examples of how First Nations peoples use stop motion and animation to share knowledge about connection to Country.
• Students create a short stop-motion animation or storyboard plan (30-60 seconds or 4-6 frames) that uses media languages and production processes to represent connection and responsibility for Country/Place.
• Students use key vocabulary related to media arts and cultural perspectives respectfully and appropriately.
• Students engage in reflection on how media arts can communicate cultural stories and importance of Country.

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Curriculum Links

• AC9AMA4E02: Explore how First Nations Australians use media arts to communicate connection to and responsibility for Country/Place.
• AC9AMA4C01: Use media languages, media technologies and production processes to construct representations that communicate ideas, perspectives, and meaning.
• AC9AMA4E01 (optional): Explore where, why and how media arts are created and distributed across cultures, times, and places.

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Key Vocabulary

• Country
• Place
• Connection
• Responsibility
• Storytelling
• Media arts
• Animation
• Stop motion
• Storyboard
• Symbol
• Visual composition
• Colour
• Shot type
• Sequencing
• Sound
• Traditional Owners
• Respect
• Ancestors

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Resources and Equipment

• Tablet devices or computers with stop motion/animation apps (e.g., Stop Motion Studio)
• Simple props for stop motion (natural objects, clay, paper cut-outs)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Digital projector or screen for showing examples of First Nations media arts works
• Access to teacher-selected, culturally safe video clips or animations created by First Nations Australians (examples should be carefully chosen)
• Storyboard templates (printed or digital)

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Lesson Sequence and Timing

1. Hook / Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with an Acknowledgement of Country and explain its importance respectfully.
• Show a short, teacher-selected video or animation by First Nations Australian creators that communicates connection to Country. Emphasise it is a respectful sharing of cultural knowledge and connection, avoiding sacred or sensitive content.
• Ask students:
• "What did you notice about the story or message?"
• "How do you think the animation helps tell the story about Country?"
• Discuss elements such as symbols, colours, sounds, and sequencing.

2. Model (10 minutes)

• Explain key media arts concepts: storyboarding, stop motion animation, visual composition, use of colours and symbols, shot types, sequencing, and sound choice.
• Demonstrate a simple storyboard example about connection to place using symbols or colours (e.g., earth tones for land, blue for waterways).
• Show how images can be moved frame-by-frame to create animation using a stop motion app.
• Discuss how media artists decide what to include to share an idea or feeling about Country.

3. Guided Practice (15 minutes)

• In pairs or small groups, students brainstorm ideas for their own short story or animation that represents connection and responsibility to Country.
• Prompt students with questions:
• "What is something important about your place or Country?"
• "What symbols or colours help show this?"
• "What sequence of images or sounds could tell your story?"
• Students begin sketching a simple storyboard plan (4-6 frames) outlining their story or animation.
• Teacher circulates to support ideas, ensuring cultural respect and understanding, and helping use of media arts language.

4. Independent Task – Planning Creation (15 minutes)

• Students individually or in pairs use devices with animation apps or storyboard templates to create their short stop-motion storyboard or animation plan.
• They use simple props or drawings to visualise important symbols or colours showing connection to Country.
• Encourage them to think about sequencing shots and adding appropriate sound or narration ideas.

5. Share and Reflect (10 minutes)

• Invite students to share their storyboard or animation plan with the class or small groups.
• Discuss how their work communicates connection and responsibility for Country.
• Ask reflection questions:
• "How did you choose your symbols or colours?"
• "What story does your animation tell?"
• "Why is it important to respect and care for Country?"
• Highlight that media arts by First Nations peoples are a powerful way to share knowledge, culture, and respect for Country.

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Formative Assessment Checks

• Observation of participation during discussion and brainstorming.
• Review of storyboards for inclusion of media arts elements and respectful cultural perspectives.
• Questioning during reflection to assess understanding of connection to Country and media arts representation.
• Informal feedback on use of vocabulary and media art concepts.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide storyboard templates with prompts or symbols to help structure ideas; work in pairs.
• Extension: Challenge students to add simple sound effects or narration ideas; explore more complex shot types like zoom or pan.
• Cultural Safety: Use only teacher-selected examples respectful of cultural protocols; avoid sharing or requiring sacred knowledge. Emphasise respect and responsibility in all discussions.

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Closing Reflection

• Recap how First Nations Australian artists use animation and film to share stories about connection to Country and responsibilities to care for it.
• Invite students to think about how media arts allow sharing of culture in ways beyond words.
• Encourage them to continue exploring media arts as a powerful tool for storytelling and cultural respect.

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This lesson plan is designed as a respectful, engaging, and curriculum-aligned introduction for Years 3-4 to First Nations media arts storytelling through modern animation and film techniques, contextualised within Australian Curriculum Version 9 standards for Media Arts. It integrates ethical cultural acknowledgment and practical student media arts production skills in a single 60-minute classroom session.