• Become familiar with the geography of the city of Sydney.

• Identify and describe four cultural or historical attractions in Sydney.

• Identify at least one recreational site in Sydney.

• Ability to read a city map.

• Map of the city of Sydney

• Travel brochures

• Encyclopedias or Encarta

INTRODUCTION:

Explain to students what a "walkabout" is in Australia (a coming-of-age ritual expected of young aboriginal boys to prove their manhood) and that they are going to do a "modified" walkabout in Sydney to prove their knowledge of the city.

PRESENTATION:

In both Options the teacher will present the buildings/sites but not give details.  Students will research each site they choose for their "walkabout" and share the information in their presentation to the class.

Option I

If the Internet and projection facilities are available, use the following Web sites to introduce the museums, cultural, and recreational sites to students.

• City of Sydney Visitor's Guide

• FOXCAD Australia - Sydney Guide History, Art, Museums

• PBS OnLine - Going Places

Option II

The teacher may do a lecture presentation using the information gathered from the Web sites and using pictures from travel brochures, magazines, or books.

If the Internet is available students may visit the Web sites individually when working on their project.

STUDENT PROJECT/ASSESSMENT:

Students are given a map of the city of Sydney.  They are told that they are at the Olympic Games and they have a day without tickets to any events.  They are to plan a one-day "walkabout" in Sydney.  Their tour must include at least four of the sites shared by the teacher in the lecture, including one recreational site.  The students must locate the sites of their "walkabout" on their map of Sydney and prepare a presentation describing each site they will visit, its significance to the culture and/or history of Sydney,  and why they chose each site.

• You may want to have 6th and 7th grade students do this in small groups of  two to four students.

• This project could be done after completing a unit on the history of Sydney, but it is not necessary.

FOXCAD Australia - Sydney Guide History, Art, Museums : Limited description of art galleries and few museums with travel directions.

PBS OnLine - Going Places : Great site that gives top 10 sites to visit with descriptions and photographs.

• Computer(s)
• Projection Screen
• Internet Connection
• Internet Web Browser

• Reduce the number of sites if the student feels four is too many to accomplish.

Gifted Students :

• Have students research the admission costs and hours of operation for the places they will visit.

• Have students explore the public transportation options to travel to their sites.

Assessment Tools:

Students are given a map of the city of Sydney.  They must locate each site of their "walkabout" on the map.  Each student or group of students will present their "walkabout" to the class.  Their presentation to the class will include:  1.  The site/attraction and the location on the Sydney map;  2.  Photographs, if available;  3. The significance to the history and/or culture of Sydney;  4.  Their reason(s) for choosing that site/attraction.

Scoring Criteria for Oral Presentation:

4  - Complete, key points present, clear information
3  - Have some key points, need to explain details
2  - Have one/two key points, need more details
1  - Key points not clear, many details missing
0  - Key points and details not evident