Yarning Circle

Bush Tucker Bites

Bush tucker, the Australian native bush foods, holds a significant place in the histories and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Utilised for millennia, these Aboriginal foods are not only nutritionally valuable but also deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual practices of Indigenous communities. Exploring bush tucker offers a valuable insight into the sophisticated knowledge systems that have sustained Indigenous Australians and the land they cherish.

Understanding and respecting bush tucker food is essential for students as it connects them with the cultural heritage of Australia's First Nations peoples. It also promotes appreciation for the sustainable practices that have historically maintained environmental balance and health. By studying bush tucker plants and Australian native bush foods, students can learn about environmental stewardship, the nutritional benefits of native plants and animals, and the sustainable harvesting techniques developed by Indigenous communities.

Bush Tucker Bites is a lesson plan for upper primary is designed to support teachers with a teaching resource aligned with the Australian Curriculum. This plan covers key concepts in design and technology and integrates cross-curricular priorities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, histories, and experiences.

Learning Objectives of This Design and Technology Lesson Plan

Level 1

Discuss the importance of environmental stewardship in promoting sustainable eating through bush foods.

Level 2

Critically reflect on the availability of traditional bush foods in the local area and how knowledge of these might impact on sustainable ways of living now and in the future.

Australian Curriculum Design and Technologies Links

Technologies context: Food and Fiber Production; Food specialisations

Describe the ways of producing food and fibre (AC9TDE4K03)
Explain how and why food and fibre are produced in managed environments (AC9TDE6K03)

Teacher Material Needed

Access to YouTube videos about native bushfoods:

Yerrabingin Bush Foods
Australian native vegetables
Fire management and bushfood in Northern Queensland
Guriwal Bushtucker trail
Nyungar trail Bushtucker
Traditional cooking techniques and flavours
Bushtucker in the Northern Flinders ranges

Research materials about local flora and traditional food sources

Journals or worksheets for recording research findings and reflections

Classroom Activity For Upper Primary

Introduce or refamiliarise students with the concept of Australian native bush foods, explaining or reflecting on their significance in Indigenous culture and their nutritional value.
Watch the Yerrabingin Bush Foods video showcasing 12 native bushfoods, highlighting their unique characteristics and benefits as a class.
Explain the upcoming activity of researching bush tucker plants and trees in the local area and connecting with Traditional Custodians and Elders to learn about Aboriginal foods and traditional food sources.

Learning Activity: Exploring Local Bushfoods

Guide students in researching native plants and trees in their local area that have historically been used as food sources by First Nations groups. You may choose to organise an excursion to a farmers’ market, a local nursery or fruit picking location, or invite local community groups into your classroom to support students learning.
Instruct students to compile information about the identified bush tucker plants, including their names, characteristics, edible parts, and cultural significance. You may choose to have students record their findings digitally using a notes app or platform such as Trello, Flip or Canva.
Facilitate discussions about the ecological importance of bush tucker food and their role in sustaining local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Encourage students to ask questions and engage in respectful dialogue with community members, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and empathy. This could be face to face in your classroom, or through digital platforms.
Facilitate discussions about the insights gained from interacting with Traditional Custodians and the importance of preserving and honouring Indigenous knowledge and traditions.

Bush Tucker Lesson Wrap Up

Guide students in reflecting on their research findings and interactions with Traditional Custodians, considering the significance of Aboriginal bush tucker in Indigenous culture and their potential for promoting food security and sustainability.
Encourage students to share their reflections with their peers, fostering discussion and critical thinking about the connections between Indigenous knowledge, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing.
Provide opportunities for students to brainstorm and share ideas for promoting the use of native bushfoods in their local community, considering factors such as education, awareness-raising, and culinary innovation.
Encourage students to consider how traditional sources of food might change depending on where you lived in Australia. Consider the bush tucker that might be available in the following areas and how they can be sustainably incorporated into a traditional diet:
- Coastal
- Bush
- Rainforest
- Desert

Bush Tucker Bingo

Bush tucker, also known as Australian native bush foods, has been an important part of First Nations histories and cultures for thousands of years. These Aboriginal foods have provided essential nutrition and are central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culinary practices. Learning about bush tucker is not just about discovering new foods; it's about appreciating the cultural heritage and sustainable practices that have sustained Indigenous communities for generations.

"Bush Tucker Bingo" is a design and technology lesson plan for lower primary students that integrates these rich cultural elements into the curriculum. By exploring bush tucker food, students will learn about the nutritional value of Australian native bush foods, the sustainable harvesting techniques used by Indigenous communities, and the deep respect for nature that underpins these practices.

Through this lesson, students can connect with the cultural significance of bush tucker and understand how these practices promote sustainability and respect for the environment. This approach not only enriches their knowledge of Indigenous cultures but also fosters an appreciation for the natural world.

Learning Objectives Of This Design And Technology Lesson Plan

Level 1

Identify some native bushfoods and discuss their significance in First Nations Australian culture.

Level 2

Explore and research native bushfoods in their local area and understand their nutritional value and cultural significance.

Australian Curriculum Design and Technologies Links

Technologies context: Food and Fibre Production; Food specialisations

Explore how plants and animals are grown for food, clothing and shelter (AC9TDE2K03)

Teacher Material Needed

Access to the YouTube video about Australian native bushfoods
Access to outdoor spaces for bush walks or visits to native ingredient nurseries
Drawing materials for creating bingo cards (paper, markers, etc.)
Optional: Printed resources about local bush tucker food and traditional uses

Classroom Activities for Lower Primary

Introduce the concept of Australian native bush foods to students, explaining their significance in First Nations Australian culture and their nutritional value. Connect to previous or concurrent learning, such as the healthy eating activities in the Canteen section of The Good Village.
Show the video about 12 native bushfoods, highlighting the unique flavours and traditional uses of these Aboriginal foods.
Discuss the upcoming activities focused on researching local native bushfoods and engaging in outdoor exploration to identify them.

Learning Activity 1: Exploring Local Bushfoods

Guide students in researching bush tucker plants that grow in their local area, either through online resources or printed materials. If possible, invite local bush tucker food experts in to support student knowledge and experience throughout this activity.
Facilitate discussions about the importance of preserving and respecting First Nations knowledge of bush tucker food and their sustainable harvesting.
Throughout the exploration, challenge students to keep a list of Aboriginal foods that are new to them, including the names, a brief physical description or drawing, and some notes on how it would be harvested, prepared or eaten.

Learning Activity 2: Create And Play Bush Tucker Bingo

Using their lists and existing knowledge, instruct students to create bingo cards featuring pictures or names of the bush tucker foods they researched. Depending on students’ age and ability these could be 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4 squares. You may choose to provide a template for these or allow students to create their own to connect this design and technology lesson plan with maths outcomes.
Encourage students to include a variety of Australian native bush foods on their bingo cards, focusing on both common and lesser-known species. Students may use words or images for their cards.
Provide opportunities for students to share and exchange their bush tucker bingo cards with classmates, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
Organise a bush walk or visit to a bush tucker nursery, such as Yerrabingin in Sydney, where students can see and identify Aboriginal bush tucker in person.
Instruct students to use their bingo cards to tick off the Aboriginal foods they observe during the outdoor exploration.
Encourage students to take notes or photographs of the Australian native bush foods they encounter, documenting their learning and experiences.

Bush Tucker Lesson Wrap Up

Summarise key concepts learned about Australian native bush foods and the significance of bush tucker in First Nations Australian culture.
Facilitate a discussion about students' experiences during the bush walk activity and their observations of bush tucker food.
Discuss the importance of respecting and preserving First Nations knowledge of bush tucker food and their sustainable harvesting practices.