Traditional Games Integration

Year Level

Year 6

Duration

70 minutes

Class Size

25 students

---

Curriculum Alignment

Health and Physical Education (Year 5 and 6) - Movement and Physical Activity

• ACPMP039: Practise specialised movement skills and apply movement concepts and strategies to help solve movement challenges.
• ACPMP044: Devise, implement and evaluate strategies to include others and promote fair play when participating in physical activities.
• ACPPS056: Identify and describe strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing in physical activities.

Cross-curriculum priority — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

• Explore and respect traditional First Nations games and cultural storytelling.
• Understand the significance of storytelling for cultural knowledge transmission.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand and appreciate traditional Indigenous games through storytelling.
2. Participate actively in traditional Indigenous games, demonstrating competence in fundamental movement skills.
3. Develop strategies for fair play, inclusion and cooperation inspired by Indigenous games.
4. Reflect on Indigenous cultural stories that inform the design and purpose of games.

---

Lesson Outline

Preparation (5 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Introduce the lesson’s focus: Exploring Indigenous storytelling connected to traditional games.
• Explain that today's activities link culture with physical activity, honouring Indigenous heritage.

---

Activity 1: Indigenous Storytelling Introduction (15 minutes)

Content

• Share a traditional Indigenous story related to games/play. For example, the story of “Kangaroo and Emu” and how their movements inspired chase games.
• Include key elements of the story: characters, setting, moral or lesson on cooperation and respect.

Method

• Tell the story orally with engaging, expressive delivery.
• Use visual aids such as pictures or simple illustrations.
• Invite students to ask questions or share reflections.

Indigenous Perspectives

• Discuss how storytelling was a way to teach survival, social values, and physical coordination.

---

Activity 2: Learning Traditional Indigenous Games (30 minutes)

Game 1: “Inkanyi” (Cooperative Running Game from Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara)

• Objective: move together in a running game with no winners but cooperation.
• Skills: teamwork, spatial awareness, agility.
• Rules: Students work together to keep the game going without anyone getting “caught.”

Game 2: “Barambah Gimbe” (Throwing and Catching Game from Wakka Wakka)

• Objective: Catch the ball as part of group play, with nominated catchers to promote participation.
• Skills: catching, throwing, hand-eye coordination.

Implementation

• Demonstrate each game first.
• Organise students into small groups.
• Rotate groups through the games.
• Encourage inclusive participation and respect.

Physical Skills Focus

• Locomotor (running, dodging)
• Non-locomotor (balancing)
• Object control (throwing, catching)

---

Activity 3: Reflection and Strategy Discussion (15 minutes)

Group Discussion

• What did you notice about how these games are played?
• How do these games encourage fair play and inclusion?
• What can we learn from Indigenous games about teamwork and respect?

Link to Curriculum

• Discuss how students can modify or include fair rules for their own games.
• Brainstorm ways to make games inclusive for everyone.

---

Assessment

• Observation of participation and cooperation during games.
• Students share one thing they learnt about Indigenous culture and games.
• Peer feedback on inclusion and fairness during activities.

---

Resources

• Visual storytelling aids (illustrations or photos related to the story)
• Soft balls or bean bags for throwing/catching games
• Cones or markers to define game boundaries

---

Differentiation

• Provide modified rules for students with varying physical abilities.
• Allow students to help lead or demonstrate games to build confidence and leadership.
• Use peer support grouping for skill development.

---

Teacher Notes

• Prior consultation with Indigenous community members or Elders for story accuracy and cultural protocol is highly recommended.
• Emphasise respect for Indigenous culture and the importance of storytelling.
• Highlight that Indigenous games often have social and survival significance beyond play.

---

This lesson plan is designed to create a rich, culturally respectful PE experience that connects physical activity with Indigenous Australian storytelling and traditional games, aligning with Australian Curriculum version 9 requirements for Year 6 students in Health and Physical Education and cross-curriculum priorities. It nurtures cultural awareness, motor skills, cooperation, and fair play in a fun, engaging environment 【4:8†AC9LRF6C0