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Classroom Guide for
Vanishing Cultures: Down Under

by Jan Reynolds

Amazon Basin

Vocabulary
Write the following words on the chalkboard and review their meanings. Ask students to copy the words and then sort them into four categories. For example, they might choose categories such as people, places, events, animals. Under each category have students list additional words from the book.

aborigine    walkabout     ancestor bandicoot
ceremony     bush mangrove swamp     spear fishing

After Reading
Discussion Questions
Use these or similar questions to generate discussion and deepen/extend understanding. Encourage students to refer back to the text and photographs to support their responses.
  1. How do the Tiwi regard the land they live on?
  2. What is a walkabout? What does it mean to the Tiwi?
  3. How do the Yanomama “dress up” for a ceremony? Compare this to how you would dress.
  4. How do the Tiwi feel about family? How do they honor relatives who have died?
  5. How do the Tiwi use fire?
  6. Compare the way the Tiwi have fun to the way you have fun.

Writing Activities You may wish to assign one or more of these activities for students to complete. Set aside time for them to share and present their work.

  1. Write a list of questions that you would like to ask Amprenula.
  2. Suppose you were swimming in a mangrove swamp and a crocodile came along. Write a story about what you would do.
  3. Imagine that you are going to send a gift to the Tiwi. Add a note to explain what you are sending and how it is used.

Interdisciplinary Activities
You may wish to use some of the following activities to help students integrate their reading experiences with other curriculum areas.

Social Studies
  1. Ask students to find out what the term “Down Under” means. What geographical factors inspired the term?
  2. On a globe or world map, have students figure out how far it is in miles from the home of the Tiwi to their own community.

Science
Have students work in groups to learn more about one of the following topics: the bandicoot; anthills, such as the one pictured on the last page of the story; mangrove swamps. Suggest that each group present its findings in a picture talk.

Dance
Remind students that the Tiwi dance their Dreaming. Ask students to make up a dance that might be their own Dreaming. Invite volunteers to perform their Dreaming and explain what it means to them

Vanishing Cultures Classroom Guide
Next Section: Far North


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