Australian Geography

Today's lesson was just a continuation from yesterday. We are still working on the idea of research and "searching out the land" as it applies to Australia. The focus, however, was on geography. To set the mood, we listened to this little spin off of a famous Johnny Cash song by George Mack. FYI: "humping my bluey" means about the same as "waltzing Matilda" or "toting my pack" as Johnny Cash begins. It refers to wandering and hitchhiking.



We began our map study which is probably going to be the most in depth map study we have ever done. We are beginning with a basic topographical map. You can make one by printing off a blackline master of Australia, or by tracing the outline of a map out of an atlas. We will then trace the outlines onto a transparency and label the map. A second transparency will show the major resources of Australia so that when we lay them all on top of each other, we will get a good idea about the relationships between the environment and land usage.

As we come across places during our study, we will add them to the appropriate map.

The Map Standard (summary from the Noah Plan History and Geography Curriculum Guide):

1. Labeling with block letters.
2. Blue caterpillar lines for all shore lines.
3. Green pencil for plains.
4. Brown pencil for mountains.
5. Yellow pencil for deserts.
6. Ice masses left white.
7. Bordering continents, countries, states colored with contrasting colors. Outline only to leave room for labels.

This is the same procedure we use every time we study a place, whether it is for history, literature or some other subject when relevant.