***TERM+1***

This term we'll be investigating Australia's cultural heritage, specifically what it means to be an Australian by looking at the contributions of different cultural groups who have migrated to Australia. Students will eventually be researching their own family history and creating a three dimensional family tree. Photos of these will be uploaded later in the term, once students have presented their projects to the rest of the class.

The best contributions to each week's task will be published on this page. Any work published will have been thoroughly edited (suggestion: type in word first to proof any spelling errors) and will show effort and originality.

Soon we'll upload a photo of our //Australian Corner// once students have had a chance to bring to the classroom, something that represents Australia to them, so stay tuned!!!

Each task will be posted here on this page, below this introduction, listed as TASK ONE, TASK TWO etc... Students are to follow instructions, and post their responses in the discussion page, or when directed, on their personal page.

TASK ONE Students are to spend their allotted literacy session introducing themselves on their home page. Things that could be mentioned could be taken from their //All About Me Page// completed last week. You may upload pictures that are relevant to you (e.g. favourite sports/animals/food etc...) but please no personal photos.

After you have completed this task, please make a quick reply to the post in the discussion page, just to familiarise yourself with this function.

I look forward to seeing all your wonderful creations!

TASK TWO Visit this website [|CLICK HERE] and answer the question posted under Term One's discussion post "Task Two".

This week, the two best posts will be published here on this page, so remember to give as much detail as you can in your answer. The winning entries will demonstrate effort, originality and editing!

THE WINNERS FOR TASK TWO ARE ......Eden and Katija - CONGRATULATIONS BOTH OF YOU!! Hi I’m Lilly I live in South Africa I moved from Croatia to where I am now. My mum and dad were prisoners for two years because of their beliefs. I was only three and there was a war, the Madagasen government was taking over our country. So we really needed to move, we were planning on moving to Australia some of our family were living there all ready. Mum said I could only take one thing with us because the luggage would cost more and we were a poor family. I took my acorn box with my note from my nana.
 * Eden's Entry...**

My name is Katija and I live in Russia and if I had to bring something on a trip I would bring a couple things with me because I LOVE my stuff. I would bring four toys, called Zebie, Cleo, Sunshine and Polo. I would also bring my fairy doll she is made like a china doll, she holds memories but I broke her head off luckily my mom fixed her. It would be sad and heartbreaking to leave my other toys and dolls behind.
 * Katija's Entry..**.

TASK THREE This week and next week we're looking at what "cultural diversity" means. Firstly, there are two games on the "Harmony Day" website that will start you thinking about the many cultures that have come together and made Australia a great place to live. Remember to turn your volume off!!!!

This one's the easier one, try 'Level One' first. [|Everyone Belongs Quiz]

If you have time, have a go at this one, it's much trickier, but interesting to see what foods, languages and faiths have been brought to Australia. Remeber to try 'Level One' first! [|Cross Off Categories]

TASK FOUR Following on from last week's topic, we are looking at Multicultural Australia and what it means to us. This week, go to the ***Term 1 Resources*** page and read the two articles under the red heading "Multicultural Australia" and think //'What is my favourite part of living in Mulitcultural Australia and why?'// Once you have typed your response to this question (remember to type in Word first) - post it under the discussions post marked "Task Four".

The most interesting entries will be posted here, so stay tuned....

THE WINNERS FOR TASK FOUR ARE ......Akinesh and Eliza - CONGRATULATIONS !! What is my favourite part of living in Multicultural Australia? The favourite part of living in a Multicultural Australia is the food because me and mum can’t eat western food for more then two days but there are many Indian restaurants and ingredients so we can eat the food now.
 * Akinesh's entry...**

My favourite part of multicultural Australia is that everyone is so different in different ways such as culture, feelings, beliefs, skin colour and things like that. I like the fact that we get to choose from heaps of foods to eat from different countries. I like watching the Moomba festival and love living in multicultural Australia.
 * Eliza's entry...**

TASK FIVE This week we are looking at Australia's symbols, including state flags and emblems. You are to access the website under **Term One Resources** (at the bottom of the page) and choose ONE state, then design a poster, including that state's flag, motto, animal, flaura, bird and marine animal.

TERM ONE RESOURCES [The information below originally appeared on our wiki as a separate page, however, to avoid 'clutter' in our list of pages, these resouces are now pasted here...]

Here's an interesting site on Migrating to Australia [|MUSEUM VICTORIA WEBSITE]

MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA

Following is an excerpt from [|Australia's Cultural Portal] discussing the influences that migrants have had on Australian food.

=Multicultural influences on Australian cuisine= Immigration to Australia since 1945 has had a major mulitcultural impact upon Australian culture, and in particular upon what Australians eat and drink. For example, European migrants brought with them a preference for espresso coffee. This has overtaken tea as the most popular hot beverage ordered in restaurants and cafes. Pasta dishes, another staple of many European countries, are one of the most popular choices on the menu for many Australians. Where once the Australian diet was based strongly upon its British and Irish heritage, by the end of the 20th century, Australians were regularly enjoying Italian, Greek, Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese cuisines cooked in restaurants and homes. Due mainly to later immigrants to the country, Australians have a growing interest in multicultural foods and drinks from across Asia, The Middle East, Europe and Africa Since the late 20th century there has also been a growing awareness of cultural and religious food requirements, such as Halal and Kosher practices. Vegetarianism (the practice of eating only vegetable food) and veganism (a strict vegetarian diet that excludes any animal product) have also gained broader acceptance in Australian society, thanks in part to the important role that vegetables and vegetable products such as tofu play in Asian, Indian and other international cuisines.

Another excerpt here from [|Tourism Australia] ... =**Multiculturalism: diverse food, festivals and faith**= Since 1945 more than six million people from across the world have come to Australia to live. Today, more than 20 per cent of Australians are foreign born and more than 40 per cent are of mixed cultural origin. In our homes we speak 226 languages - after English, the most popular are Italian, Greek, Cantonese and Arabic. Our rich cultural diversity is reflected in our food, which embraces most of the world’s cuisines and artfully fuses quite a few of them. You’ll find European flavours, the tantalising spices of Asia, Africa and the Middle East and bush tucker from our backyard on offer everywhere from street stalls to five star restaurants. Tuck into Thai takeaway, dine out on perfect Italian pasta, do tapas in our city’s Spanish strips and feast on dumplings in Chinatown. You can also embrace our melting pot of cultures in the many colourful festivals. See samba and capoeira at Bondi’s Brazilian South American festival, dance behind the dragon parade during Chinese New Year or stroll through streets transformed into a lively piazza during the annual Italian celebrations. As a nation, we embrace a rainbow of religious belief and you’ll find Catholic and Anglican churches, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist temples, mosques and synagogues lining our streets.

AUSTRALIA'S STATE SYMBOLS [|Australia's State Flags and Emblems]