The Beginning of Nature Education Resource

Writers: Elizabeth Old, Billie Cook, Madeline Edwards
Project Coordination: Carolyn Obst
Kaurna Language and Culture Consultant: Dr. Rob Amery

The Beginning of Nature resource

“Dance is expressive movement with purpose and form.  Through dance, students represent, question and celebrate human experience, using the body as the instrument and movement as the medium for personal, social, emotional, spiritual and physical communication”.

This resource is designed to support teachers’ and students’ understanding of Garry Stewart’s creation The Beginning of Nature for Australian Dance Theatre.

Viewing and discussing The Beginning of Nature can be used as a vehicle for increasing depth of knowledge about nature, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture, music, drama and theatre, and to build connections across Dance and Science.

The resource begins with detailed information about the background to the work. This includes the creative process and influences that drove the creation of the work. The workshops that follow are grouped materials for Years 3-4, 5-6, and 7-10. They provide opportunities for teachers and students to engage in learning experiences inspired by The Beginning of Nature; and aligned to Australian Curriculum content for The Arts – Dance, and, where relevant, General Capabilities and Cross-Curriculum Priorities.

Kaurna Acknowledgement of Country

Australian Dance Theatre tampinthi, ngadlu Kaurna yartangka inparrinthi. Kaurna miyurna yaitya mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku, Purkarnanti puki-unangku yalaka kuma. Parnaku yailtya, parnaku tapa purruna, parnaku yarta ngadlu tampinthi. Yalaka Kaurna miyurna itu yailtya, tapa purruna, yarta kuma puru martinthi, puru warri-apinthi, puru tangka martulayinthi.

Australian Dance Theatre acknowledges that we are meeting on the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today.