HOLLIE MARTIN-TEALE

S0099944

PLANNING A FIELD STUDY

EDCU14033
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Mt Coolum
Overview
This unit of work encourages students to examine concepts such as place, interconnection, environment, space,
scale, change and sustainability. These conceptual understandings are developed as students explore vegetation
types, identify animals, explore interconnections between people and their local environments. Students will look
at where the place is, what happens there, why do we need this place (its significance in the area- supporting
community but also humanities attachment to it), how the habitat and structure can be protected, and what do
they think should happen at this local site in 10 years time.

Historical Context
The name Mt Coolum is derived from the Aboriginal word gulum or kulum, meaning blunt or headless.
You may notice that Mt Coolum is missing one main characteristic of a mountain, the peak. There is a fascinating
dreamtime story behind the history of Mt Coolum, Mudjimba Island (Old Womens Island), Maroochy, the
Maroochy river systems, Mt Ninderry and the local swans. The dreamtime story will be covered in the content
leading up to the field trip.

There are many mountains throughout the world, we classify mountains as dormant and active. Mt Coolum is a
dormant mountain and acts as a volcanic plug. This land marker is approximately 681 feet high (207 meters). The
traditional land owners of this area are the Inabara or Yinneburra people, the local people refer to these clans as
the Gubbi Gubbi people.

Location:
Mt Coolum is located:
- 35 minutes South of Cooroy.
- 8 minutes North of Mudjimba
- 21 minutes North of Maroochydore
- 20 minutes East of Mt Ninderry

Unit Overview
Year Level Year 3 (1.5 hours of study a week)

Geography Throughout this unit of Geography learners will research, visit and
analyse information surrounding Mt Coolum. This information in
this unit provides learners with understandings of place, space,
environment and interconnection in their local community. Students
will study the environmental and human characteristics of Mt
 Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum
Coolum and its surrounding environment (place). They will look at
the local environment and how humanity are impacting the area
(Space). Students will explore the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Peoples, connectedness to the area and their perspectives
(place). Students cognitive understanding of the area is further
developed as learners draw on their inquiry and geographical skills.

Inquiry
Questions
What are the main natural and human features of Australia?
How and why are places similar and different?
What would it be like to live in a neighbouring country?

Knowledge & The similarities and differences between places in terms of

Understanding their type of settlement, demographic characteristics and the
lives of the people who live there, and peoples perceptions of
these places (ACHASSK069)

The representation of Australia as states and territories and as

Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Peoples; and major places in Australia, both natural and
human (ACHASSK066)

Inquiry & Skills Questioning

Pose questions to investigate people, events, places and

issues (ACHASSI052)

Researching

Record, sort and represent data and the location of places and
their characteristics in different formats, including simple
graphs, tables and maps, using discipline-appropriate
conventions (ACHASSI054)

Analysing

Examine information to identify different points of view and

distinguish facts from opinions (ACHASSI056)

Evaluating and Reflecting

Draw simple conclusions based on analysis of information

and data (ACHASSI058)

Interact with others with respect to share points of view

(ACHASSI059)
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum
Reflect on learning to propose actions in response to an issue
or challenge and consider possible effects of proposed actions
(ACHASSI060)

Communicating

Present ideas, findings and conclusions in texts and modes

that incorporate digital and non-digital representations and
discipline-specific terms (ACHASSI061)
 Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Student Activities: Before Field Trip

Activity Learning Goal Curriculum Links Geographical Concepts

Access Prior Knowledge: To reflect on what you already know The similarities and differences between places in - place
about Mt Coolum and the terms of their type of settlement, demographic - Interconnection
To start this activity students will think, pair and environment around the area. characteristics and the lives of the people who live - environment
share what they think they know about Mt Coolum there, and peoples perceptions of these places - sustainability.
and its surround environment. (ACHASSK069) - space
Throughout this activity students will be asked to - interconnection
draw a picture of Mt Coolum and its surrounding Pose questions to investigate people, events, places and - scale
- change.
areas. issues (ACHASSI052)
The students will need to label the areas that they
do know and then add in detail that they remember.
After the students have finished their image and
information, the class will create an image and add
information on butchers paper.

Build Knowledge:
This activity is done as a class rotation. Rotations
will be 15 minutes each.
1. The first rotation will be a teacher led activity
where the students hear the dream time story about
Mt Coolum, at the end of this activity the students
will create a map of what they think a map would
look like based on the information in the story. The
students will then look at an actual map of the area
and compare their visualisation to the actual map.
2. Rotation 2 requires learners to use the class
computers to locate Vegetation and animals that are
native to the local area. They will need to draw the
item and then add some detail to help them identify
the item in the natural environment. (Added into
booklet)
We are learning to identify the
significance that Mt Coolum has on
people and the environment.
The similarities and differences between places in
terms of their type of settlement, demographic
characteristics and the lives of the people who live
there, and peoples perceptions of these places
(ACHASSK069)
Pose questions to investigate people, events, places and
issues (ACHASSI052)
The representation of Australia as states and territories
and as Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Peoples; and major places in Australia, both
natural and human (ACHASSK066)

3. Rotation 3: Students will research how Mt

Coolum is connected to people. Throughout their
 Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

research they will locate information based on the

signal systems on the mountain. This information
will be discussed as a class at the end of the lesson-
interconnectedness.

Research/Questioning
Throughout this activity the learners will locate the
following information using a range of iPads and
booklets.
We are learning to question the
information we are gained and ask
why and how this land structure plays
a significant role in the community
around it.
The similarities and differences between places in
terms of their type of settlement, demographic
characteristics and the lives of the people who live
there, and peoples perceptions of these places
(ACHASSK069)

Where is this place? Pose questions to investigate people, events, places and
What happens here? issues (ACHASSI052)
Why do we need this place?
How attached to this place are we?
How can the environment and its habitat be
protected?
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Activities During Field Trip

Activities Learning Goal
Sketch a map of the place from the top of Mt Coolum. Label
parts of the map that relate to the dreamtime story. Include We are learning to represent
environmental and constructed features in your map. countries and places of the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Peoples. Identify
characteristics of the area and
then record this information.
Curriculum Links Geographical
Skills/ Concept
The representation of Australia as states and territories - place
and as Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait - Interconnection
Islander Peoples; and major places in Australia, both - environment
natural and human (ACHASSK066) - sustainability.
- space
The similarities and differences between places in - interconnection
terms of their type of settlement, demographic - scale
- change.
characteristics and the lives of the people who live
there, and peoples perceptions of these places
(ACHASSK069)

Record, sort and represent data and the location of

places and their characteristics in different formats,
including simple graphs, tables and maps, using
discipline-appropriate conventions (ACHASSI054)

Using the booklet activity sheet that you filled in prior to the
field trip learners will use the information to identify the
items they have already documented, The students will need
to fill in the information about local vegetation and wild life
that is found on their walk- Could include a sketch of the
item and then a few descriptive words to help identify the
flora or fauna in later research.
We are learning to find
similarities and difference of
places and then use this
information to locate and records
details on the local vegetation
and wildlife.
The similarities and differences between places in
terms of their type of settlement, demographic
characteristics and the lives of the people who live
there, and peoples perceptions of these places
(ACHASSK069)
Record, sort and represent data and the location of
places and their characteristics in different formats,
including simple graphs, tables and maps, using
discipline-appropriate conventions (ACHASSI054)

A site worker from the local Maroochydore Airport will
come and discuss the signal beacons on the tops of Mt
Coolum. The expert will discuss its purpose and how it
impacts humanity and wild life. Students will be encouraged
to sketch the town and write down information about the
signal tower.
We are learning to understand the
significance of Mt Coolum as a
land mark and place and how it
impacts the lives of the people in
this area.
The similarities and differences between places in
terms of their type of settlement, demographic
characteristics and the lives of the people who live
there, and peoples perceptions of these places
(ACHASSK069)
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Activities After Field Trip

Activities Learning Goal Curriculum Links Geographical Thinking
- place
How has Mt Coolum been influenced by the environment and how We are learning to analyse The similarities and differences - Interconnection
has the environment influenced Mt Coolum? information and reflect on our between places in terms of their type of - environment
experience to create informed settlement, demographic characteristics - sustainability.
Students will be asked to draw on the information that they have decisions. and the lives of the people who live - space
received throughout this unit so fair to answer the above question. there, and peoples perceptions of these - interconnection
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Student will then analyse information and form their own informed places (ACHASSK069) - scale
decisions. - change.
Examine information to identify
different points of view and distinguish
facts from opinions (ACHASSI056)
Students will locate 2 other land structures using Google Earth, the
learner will then compare the landmarks to Mt Coolum and document We are learning to identify different Draw simple conclusions based on
similarities and differences to both. These may include surrounding viewpoints and critically reflect on analysis of information and data
environments, the formation of the land structure and its potential information to distinguish (ACHASSI058)
impact on humanity. difference between land structures
and their surrounding Interact with others with respect to
Compare Mt Coolum to Ayres Rock and the Blue Mountains using environments. share points of view (ACHASSI059)
Google Earth <http://www.google.com/earth/index.html>
Reflect on learning to propose actions
Students will use all of the information they have gained to create a We are learning to gather in response to an issue or challenge and
proposal about what ought to happen to Mt Coolum in 10 years time information through a range of consider possible effects of proposed
and why. Students will need to draw on their prior knowledge, new research methods, analyse this data actions (ACHASSI060)
knowledge and new research to meet the criteria to this section. and then draw informed
conclusions that we will Present ideas, findings and conclusions
communicate and present to others. in texts and modes that incorporate
digital and non-digital representations
and discipline-specific terms
(ACHASSI061)

Present ideas, findings and conclusions

in texts and modes that incorporate
digital and non-digital representations
and discipline-specific terms
(ACHASSI061)
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Student Booklet

Year 3- Mt Coolum Field Trip

Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Draw Mt Coolum and its surrounding environments: Mudjimba Island, Mt Ninderry, Maroochydore, Maroochy River system and other
landmarks.
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Compare
your drawing

Well, legend has it that a young Aboriginal warrior called Coolum was in love with
Maroochy, a beautiful girl from his tribe. All was well as the tribal elders had approved
their union. However, one day, a warrior called Ninderry from another tribe kidnapped
Maroochy while Coolum was out hunting.

The two warriors engaged in an epic battle for Maroochy, and while fighting, Ninderry
struck Coolum with a club, knocking his head right off. Coolums headless body turned
to stone, forming what is now known as Mount Coolum, and his head rolled into the sea
and became Mudjimba Island.

The spirit gods were so incensed by Ninderrys behaviour (his interference in the
approved union of Coolum and Maroochy and killing of Coolum) that they turned
Ninderry to stone and he became Mount Ninderry.

On learning of what had happened to her beloved Coolum, Maroochy fled inland to the
Blackall Ranges, where she wept so much her tears flooded down the mountain range
to the sea, forming the Maroochy River.
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum
Activity: Document the Local Flora and Fauna.
Drawing and labels
Flora: Detail

Drawing and Labels

Fauna:
Detail
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Flora:
Drawing and labels
Detail

Fauna:
Drawing and Labels

Detail
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

Signal Tower- Expert:

Informat
ion from
the
Expert!
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum
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%20coast.gif
Noosa Christian College- Field Trip Mt Coolum

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