Home/Curriculum resources/Fire in ceremony /Activity 2 – Fire starting techniques
Learning Area:
Health and Physical Education
Year levels:
Level 5, Level 6
Suggested timing:
20 minutes
Required resources:
Device, internet connection
Activity 2 – Fire starting techniques
This activity is a part of the Fire in ceremony resource.
Green branches and flame. Adelaide, Kaurna country. Photographer: Elena Pochesneva. Source: Getty Images. Used under license.
This activity involves teachers and students watching a video demonstrating fire starting methods and discussing techniques, teamwork, and the importance of community in the process.
Step by Step guide
Step 1: Watch videos
Watch either or both videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9GP0NfCRsw or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RQlCBR5PIM
Step 2: Have a discussion
Engage with these inquiry-based questions for discussion:
What techniques and tools were used to start the fire for the ceremony?
Did it look difficult to start the fire? How many people participated? What does this tell you about the importance of community and working together?
There are three main elements needed to make fire – air, heat, and fuel. What steps were used to get the fire started?
What are the benefits of starting a fire this way?
Related activities within this resources:
Conceptual-based questions
Engage with a variety of conceptual-based questions which explore fire in Indigenous culture.
Activity 1 – Smoking ceremony
Students and teachers will watch a video about smoking ceremonies, then engage in a discussion exploring their significance, cultural connections, and differences with Western beliefs.
Suggested timing:
30 mins
Required resources:
Device, internet connection
Activity 3 – Campfire construction
In this activity teachers guide students in gathering materials from an outdoor area and building a campfire setup, emphasizing the importance of considering oxygen, heat, and fuel.
Suggested timing:
30 minutes up to one lesson.
Required resources:
Sticks, leaves, stones, access to natural outdoor area