How the Murray River was made

How the Murray River was made

Big Book and CD-ROM

Story told by: Irene Thomas
Editors: Jan Deans and Robert Brown
Illustrators: Irene Thomas and Robert Brown
The original story remains the property of the Bangerang Aboriginal Community.

This Big Book and accompanying interactive multimedia CD-ROM containing an animated version of the book is a Teaching and Learning tool developed by the University of Melbourne’s Early Learning Centre for educators and students up to and including Grade 2.

How the Murray River was made is an Australian Aboriginal story, suitable for young children, and offers a ‘dreamtime’ explanation for the origins of one of Australia’s great rivers, the Murray River. It was told by Irene Thomas, a Bangerang Elder living in Shepparton, Victoria.

The storybook promotes an awareness of Australian Indigenous story and culture and includes a Teaching Guide and extension activities that support learning in Literacy, Numeracy and Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE). This resource also contains an engaging animated book on CD-Rom that is structured to support daily classroom literacy activities. The CD-ROM can be used independently by students to stimulate learning and computer skills.

This resource is a uniquely contemporary approach to teaching and learning literacy, one which enhances cross-cultural connections in an increasingly pluralistic and multicultural society.

All ELC products comply with current Australian Curriculum Standards.

Jan Deans is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the University of Melbourne’s Early Learning Centre. She has worked both locally and internationally in early childhood, primary, tertiary, and special education settings and has expertise in Early Years Curriculum, creative thinking and arts-based teaching and learning. Her research interests include curriculum development, environmental education, and arts-based teaching which integrates story as a vehicle for cross-cultural learning.

Robert Brown is an Early Years arts lecturer and Project Manager at The University of Melbourne's Early Learning Centre. Robert's research interests are interconnected and include arts-based teaching and learning, teacher reflection and environmental education. Robert coordinates Boorai: The Children's Art Gallery, a unique gallery that aims to stimulate and challenge audiences to recognise and value the personal, social and cultural comments expressed by young children through the arts and language.

Irene Thomas is a Bangerang Elder, artist and storyteller who actively contributes to the maintenance and promotion of Australian Indigenous Culture.

More information: http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/eldi/elc

Minimum system requirements: 1024 x 768 display, Adobe Reader, QuickTime; Windows: Win XP or later; Mac: OS 10 or later