Resources

Welcome to My Resource Library

The library includes free resources for children, originally developed under Ancient Explorer. I founded this project in 2017, with the aim of inspiring people of all ages, particularly children, to explore our rich and diverse planet with wonder and learn about our ancestors and other cultural traditions. I believe that through gaining knowledge, we can begin to build understanding, respect and compassion for our own way of life and also those different from us.

What is an ancient explorer?

An ancient explorer is a person who travels back in time to unlock the mysteries and wisdom of the past. Importantly, they explore with wonder, courage and respect for all living beings. They may also be known as a time-traveller, explorer, archaeologist, anthropologist, or creative.

Why explore with me?

My resources aim to assist children to develop key life and practical skills, including observation, which are central to disciplines, such as archaeology and natural history, but also help them explore different cultural traditions, including the Maya and the Inka.

Many of my resources are nature-based. I strongly believe that spending time in Nature is beneficial for our wellbeing. Building personal connections with the natural world around us helps us feel a sense of belonging. Meanwhile, art and storytelling helps us find our voices.

My resources are designed to complement the key learning areas, including Mathematics, Creative and Practical Arts and Human Society and its Environment, of the primary education curriculum. They also meet key quality areas outcomes of the My Time, My Place Framework which sets the national standard for Outside Hours School Care, provided by AQECQA.

 

 

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The Woolly Mammoth Activity Sheet, 335KB PDF

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Let's Create a Sleeping Koala Activity Sheet, 350KB PDF

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Let's Paint a Maya Tree Activity Sheet, 400KB PDF

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Greater Rhea Activity Sheet, 110KB PDF

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Myth and Legends Activity Bundle, 615KB PDF

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Ancient Explorer Literacy Sheet, 615KB PDF

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Harpy Eagle Colouring Page, 145KB PDF

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Phenology Wheel Activity Sheet, 860KB PDF

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Leaf Drawing Activity Sheet, 310KB PDF

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Finn's Adventures Activity Book, 840KB PDF

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Cave Lion in the Palaeolithic Activity Bundle, 400KB PDF

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The Macaw and The Ancient Maya, 490KB PDF

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The Jaguar and The Maya, 500KB PDF

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Aztec Dragon Activity, 340KB PDF

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My Colour Record Sheet, 95KB PDF

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Paper Mayan Mask Template, 60KB PDF

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Let's Create an Orca Activity Sheet, 330KB PDF

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Free Activity Bundle, 615KB PDF

Testimonials

Our children have attended two workshops with Ancient Explorer. Lisa is a very talented educator who offers children a hands on workshop. Our children loved learning about the Mayan civilization and Vikings. Lisa offers workshops that engage children in the process of an archaeological dig. Our children were able to find and locate artifacts and record their findings just like a real archaeologist would.
We can’t wait to see what Ancient explorer has planned for the next school holidays.

Tammy Corrigan

Central Coast, NSW

From my observation, Dr Lisa plans her workshops thoroughly with high attention to detail and her style of teaching caters for children with all different learning styles. She will include audio, visual and lots of hands-on experiences to ensure that the children walk away with gaining some level of knowledge of the Inca civilization and more. I was completely impressed that the children had learnt to count in Spanish and could retell me about intricate details about the Mayan pyramids from only attending a 2-hour workshop.

Dr Lisa’s patience and effort towards the children learning is inspirational. I feel completely comfortable leaving our girls in her care and feel that she is a wonderful role model for them. My eldest daughter has talked about becoming a female archaeologist herself one day.

Leisa Rangott

Central Coast, NSW

Dr Lisa Dunbar-Solas is a world-class mythologist, storyteller and artist. The 21st century is a highly disruptive one in the history of humanity. With this, comes the recognition of the incredible value of the re-emergence of Indigenous knowledges and storytelling more broadly across the planet, for communities big and small, governments and education alike. Lisa’s work is making a significant contribution in positively transforming our pedagogical systems worldwide to incorporate these knowledges, thus fostering a strengths-based and culturally respectful and inclusive approach to education. What is more, her innovative educational methods are fostering holistic wellbeing, emotional intelligence and broader perspective for the young minds of tomorrow. Hope for the younger generation is a quality we sorely need right now. Personally, I count on Lisa for her unmatched depth of knowledge of native stories and creation myths in my work as a healer and integrative therapist. As a scholar who has worked and published in the space of storytelling, wellbeing and holistic and innovative methods, I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Lisa’s services and expertise to schools, community groups and individuals. I firmly believe her expertise, pedagogical tools, and most importantly, personal integrity have the capacity to change the world in positive and enduring ways.
Dr Olivia Efthimiou

PhD, Honorary Research Fellow, College of Arts, Business, Law and Social Sciences, Murdoch University, Australia

Ancient Explorer’s online resources are learning destinations of the Children’s University, AdelaideThis means that if you are a member of the Children’s University, you can show the completed activity to your school coordinator for a one hour stamp in your Learning Passport.
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