Indigenous Australians relied on observing wind direction and strength to hunt with spears and boomerangs. This document describes an activity where students investigate which natural materials, such as leaves, stones, sand and grass, are most effective at showing wind strength and direction in order to better understand Indigenous perspectives on weather. It then outlines subsequent lessons observing cloud cover, replicating clouds in a bottle, identifying temperatures, and exploring how different air feels.

1. CROSS CURRICULUM
PRIORITY
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Histories and Cultures
Investigating wind meters
Indigenous Perspectives
Curriculum link

2. Investigating the wind
Aboriginal people rely on wind direction and strength. Spears and boomerangs are
hunting implements used to hunt for food, such as kangaroos. The direction and
strength of wind can determine how far and in what direction the spear or boomerang
can travel when hunting. In this investigation different types of natural materials e.g.
leaves, stones, sand and grass are investigated to see which type is the most effective
for determining wind strength and direction.
Place your cursor on the screen and click play to begin the video

3. 6
Lesson Investigating the wind
Moving materials & Using wind meters

4. Lesson Eye 3 to the sky
Observing cloud cover hands-on ,minds-on activity

5. Lesson 3 Eye to the sky
Cloud in a bottle experiment
Annette Marxsen – Sem 3, 2013

6. Lesson 4
What’s the weather like today?
A temperature tool?
Exploring hot , cold, warm and cool

7. Lesson 4
What’s the weather like today?
How does it feel?
Exploring how different types of air
feels