First Nations Dreamtime Comprehension Worksheets support young learners in exploring the rich storytelling traditions of Australia’s First Nations peoples. These engaging and thoughtful worksheets guide students through key ideas such as environmental change, animal behaviour, emotion, survival and seasonal transformation; concepts woven into Dreamtime narratives that have been passed down for generations. This resource builds empathy, cultural awareness and comprehension in an age-appropriate and respectful way.

Designed to accompany five specific Dreamtime stories, each worksheet allows students to reflect visually and verbally on major events, characters and environmental shifts depicted in the tales. Through drawing, writing and guided discussion, students enhance their understanding of narrative structure while also building knowledge of how natural forces like rain, drought, and shelter shape the world around us. The activities help deepen literacy skills while honouring and celebrating Indigenous storytelling.

The Aboriginal artworks and images used in these files are part of a commissioned art project for Top Teacher by Rhyia Dank of Nardurna. We encourage educators and students alike to explore more of her stunning artwork and its deep cultural meaning at the link provided.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify characters, settings and major events in Dreamtime stories
• ✅ Explore changes in weather, seasons, land and animal behaviour
• ✅ Reflect on story meanings and traditional lessons through writing and drawing
• ✅ Respectfully engage with First Nations cultures and storytelling traditions
• ✅ Strengthen oral language, comprehension and personal response skills

What’s Included:

• Comprehension worksheets for five Dreamtime stories
• Line options to suit your class: 24mm, 18mm and 14mm line spacing
• Visual prompts to assist student responses in drawing and writing
• Story-specific questions and structured boxes to support reflection and sequencing

Materials Needed:

• Printed student worksheets
• Dreamtime story texts (printed or digital)
• Pencils, coloured markers or crayons
• Optional: visual cards or images of weather events and native animals

How to Use:

• Read or watch the Dreamtime story aloud as a class or in small groups
• Discuss the cultural importance of Dreamtime stories and how they connect to land, animals and the weather
• Guide students in completing the corresponding worksheet using drawings and writing
• Use the prompts to encourage critical thinking, prediction, and empathy

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as part of a whole-class discussion on seasonal change, drought, shelter or emotion
• 💡 Incorporate oral retelling opportunities where students explain their drawings to the class
• 💡 Use in small group literacy rotations during a unit on Indigenous cultures, land, or weather
• 💡 Compare two stories using a Venn diagram to explore differences in lessons or character actions
• 💡 Integrate Science and HASS links by tracking weather changes and landforms over time

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Pre-teach key vocabulary such as “cloud,” “rainbow,” “thirst,” and “shade” using picture word cards
• 💛 Revisit each story over multiple lessons to deepen understanding and build connections across subjects
• 💛 Use real-life images of natural elements referenced in each story to support comprehension and discussion
• 💛 Encourage students to share their reflections with the class to support oral storytelling and cultural respect

First Nations Dreamtime Comprehension Worksheets offer a respectful, engaging and cross-curricular way for students to learn about Indigenous stories, while building critical literacy, oral language and scientific thinking. Ideal for early years classrooms, these worksheets make a meaningful addition to your English, Science and HASS planning through the lens of culture and storytelling.