Here is a collection of easy-to-make centers that can be included in any classroom during your study of Australia. If you have questions about any of them, feel free to contact me.
Make Australian Flags
Make a puzzle from the map of Australia.
The Australian culture has a different way of describing everyday items. Create a word matching game where students have to match the English word with the Australian word. I typed the words in a large font on my computer, printed them out, cut them apart, mounted them on construction paper (one color for English, one color for Australian), and then laminated them. Here are a few to get you started:
g'day = good day
mate = friend
cobber = friend or coworker
ta = good-bye
Oz = Australia
tea = dinner
onkey-dorey=good
fair dinkum = genuine, the honest truth
dinkey-do = the real thing
barbie = a barbecue
tucker = food
sandshoes = sneakers
lollies = candy
lolly water = soft drinks
biscuits = crackers
boomer = big kangaroo
to smoodge = to kiss
cozzie = bathing suit
mum = mother
beaut = great
roo = kangaroo
bonzer = terrific
walloper = policeman
bushranger = outlaw
good on ya! = good for you!
joey = baby kangaroo
footie = football
mossies = mosquitoes
bloke = man, fellow, chap
walkabout = to wander
petrol = gasoline
takeaway = fast food shop
squatter = ranch owner
bush = countryside
Submitted by: teach@email-removed
Due to the tilt of the Earth and each of our locations, Australia experiences the opposite season that we are. To help students understand this concept, have them construct a book. We made our books small, about 4" x 6". On pages 2-10, students should write on the bottom of the page so they can add an appropriate illustration. This gives them the opportunity to learn what type of activities occur in Australia during each season.
Here are the pages:
Find a simple boomerang pattern and make several patterns of it on tag board. Provide students with additional tag board for their own boomerang. After tracing the pattern, students cut out and decorate their boomerang. It's a good idea to provide some background and visual resources dealing with boomerangs.
Submitted by: teach@email-removed
To help conserve paper, I mounted crossword puzzles, word searches and other activities I found in my resource books to pieces of construction paper. I then laminated each one. Students can then use visa-vie markers to complete, wiping them clean when done. I made several of each puzzle/activity so more than one student could work on them. You may also want to have a key handy for checking. (This can also be laminated.) You can check out the crossword maker and word search maker here on The Teacher's Corner for quick and easy puzzles!
Submitted by: teach@email-removed
Here is another great way to help your students learn the territory's names.