Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Tune in: Activating prior knowledge

20 minutes

Find out: Benefits of Cool Burning

20 minutes

Take action: Report writing

10 minutes

Reflection

Please make sure to read the About Cool Burning Factsheet.

Tune In: Activating prior knowledge

Step 1. Discuss:

What does it mean to be a land manager? What might a land manager do? A land manager is someone who looks after an area of land. They look after this area of land to make sure the natural environment or resources in this area are maintained. This can mean making sure grazing animals don't have a negative impact on grasslands, that trees are chopped down in a way that doesn't harm the overall environment, and that the vegetation is managed to reduce the impact of bushfires.

Think Pair Share

Think pair share is a collaborative learning strategy in which students work together to solve a problem or answer a question.

Think - students independently think about an issue or question and record their thoughts.

Pair - students work in pairs to discuss their ideas and record new thoughts.

Share - students share their thoughts with the whole group our with other pairs to reach consensus.

Find Out: Benefits Of Cool Burning

Step 1. Explain:

Cool burns are a land management technique. Started soon after the wet season, before the grass completely dries out, cool burns do not damage plants, seeds or animals to any significant extent. During a cool burn, the grasses on the ground burn slowly, allowing most of the small animals to escape. Seedlings, green grass, tree trunks and fallen logs are not burnt or damaged. The rising heat from the burning grass usually won’t singe the eucalyptus leaves above. Overnight, the cool moisture in the air will put out any remaining fires before the morning.

The practice of cool burning has been used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for many thousands of years. However, in recent years, scientists from around the world have become more and more interested in these practices as one way of managing devastating bushfires.

Step 2

Watch these three clips about caring for Country:

Why I care for Country - http://vimeo.com/79474017

Caring for Country - http://vimeo.com/79463043

Benefits for community - https://vimeo.com/79463044

Once complete, you can invite students to share some of their observations with the class.

Take Action: Report writing

Step 1

Students will now work independently to select one benefit that interests them as a topic for further research. It is really important that students and teachers access research materials with the appropriate permission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These make an ideal starting point for research (also available on the Student Worksheet).

Students are to write a report demonstrating some ways the community benefits from cool burning. Their report should be based on evidence drawn from research. Students may also like to use images from the Cool Burning Digital Library to accompany their report.

Students can begin by creating a rough draft in bullet point/note form, and could follow this structure:

The benefit being investigated, a brief overview of this benefit, and why this benefit has been chosen (why is it interesting to students)
Details about the benefit (how does it work and who benefits)
What students find most interesting
What they would like to know more about.

Reflection

Once students have completed their rough draft, invite them to pair up with a classmate to share their drafts. They should do this by creating a brief presentation of their ideas and should practice their oral presentation skills. Students should make appropriate choices in vocal modality and emphasis.

Students will pair-share their draft with another class member.

Afterwards, the presenter will ask the listener the following questions:

Can you summarise the specific benefit of cool burning that I selected?
Was that benefit cultural, environmental or economic?
Which did you find most interesting about my ideas?
What needs more detail or what could be improved?

Allow students time to incorporate feedback and to create their final versions of their reports. You could use the Report Assessment Rubric to assess student work.

Teacher Reflection

Take this opportunity to reflect on your own teaching:

• What did you learn about your teaching?
• What worked well?
• What didn't work well?
• What would you share?
• Where to next?
• How are you going to get there?

Benefits of Cool Burning Practices

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Summary

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