RIC-6277 I can dance the Barramundi

SOUTHERN CROSS
Preparation
• Collect an Australian flag.
Presentation
• Share the flag with the class and discuss its
history, design, colour and number of stars.
• Say the rhyme with the actions for the class.
Additional activities/information
• The first national Australian flag was flown
in Melbourne in September 1901. The flag
has a blue background and features three
symbols:
(i)
(ii)
The Commonwealth Star, which has
seven points, one for each state and
one for the territories.
The Union Jack, which can be seen in
the top left-hand corner of the flag.
(iii) The Southern Cross has five white
stars on the blue background of the
flag. The four large stars all have seven
points and the smallest star has five
points. The Southern Cross gets its
name from its four brightest stars which
form the outline of a cross. It is the
brightest constellation in the Southern
Hemisphere.
• Encourage the students to view the stars at
night with their parents and grandparents.
To find the Southern Cross, face south and
• The class claps the beat while saying the
rhyme.
• The class says the rhyme with the actions.
look to where the earth meets the sky. From
there, measure two hand spans up and look
for a kite-shaped set of stars.
• Discuss ways of viewing stars at night. If
possible, visit an observatory or planetarium.
• Discuss what stars are and why they are not
as visible during the day. Learn the names of
other constellations and individual stars.
• Find examples in the community where the
Southern Cross is displayed; e.g. Australia
Post.
• Using an atlas and a map of Australia,
discover how many places in Australia are
called ‘Southern Cross’.
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• Discuss – ‘If you could make a wish upon a
star, what would it be?’
I can dance the barramundi
42 R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricgroup.com.au
ISBN 978-1-74126-424-1