Year 7 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 11

First Astronomers: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sky Knowledge

Foundation Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

State that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are among the world's first astronomers.
Describe, respectfully, Yolngu Knowledge linking the Moon to the tides.
Recall the scientific explanation of how the Moon affects the tides.

Warm Up

Match each term to its meaning

Draw a line connecting each term on the left to its correct meaning on the right. Or write the matching letter next to each term.

Term	Your answer	Meaning
Oral tradition		A. The rising and falling of the sea, linked to the Moon
Cultural Knowledge		B. The pulling force that the Moon uses to raise the tides
Yolngu People		C. Knowledge passed on by speaking, story and song rather than writing
Tides		D. A Nation of north-east Arnhem Land with Knowledge of the Moon and tides
Gravity		E. Detailed understanding held and passed on within a Culture
Phase		F. The shape of the lit Moon we see, such as new, quarter or full

True or False? Fix the false ones

Circle T or F for each statement. If the statement is false, rewrite it correctly on the line below.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have observed the sky for tens of thousands of years.

Correct it:

There is only one set of sky beliefs, shared in exactly the same way by every Nation.

Correct it:

The Yolngu People of north-east Arnhem Land hold Knowledge linking the Moon to the tides.

Correct it:

In the scientific account, the tides are caused by the Moon's gravity pulling on the oceans.

Correct it:

1. In your own words, describe what the Yolngu People observed about the Moon and the tides, and how this Knowledge was passed on.

Recall 3 marks

2. Write one sentence giving the scientific explanation of what causes the tides.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?