Humanities and social sciences / Year 3 / Knowledge and Understanding / History

Curriculum content descriptions

Days and weeks celebrated or commemorated in Australia (including Australia Day, Anzac Day, and National Sorry Day) and the importance of symbols and emblems (ACHASSK064)

Elaborations
  • identifying and discussing the historical origins of an important Australian celebration or commemoration
  • generating a list of local, state and national symbols and emblems (for example, club emblems, school logos, flags, floral emblems, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms) and discussing their origins, use and significance
  • examining the symbolism of flags (for example, the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags) and recognising special occasions when they are flown (for example, all three flags are flown during NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, National Sorry Day and Mabo Day) and the roles, rights and responsibilities the community has when observing protocols around flag flying
  • recognising the significance of other days or weeks (including the anniversary of the national Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples of 2008, National Reconciliation Week, International Women’s Day, Labour Day and Harmony Day)
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • Intercultural understanding Intercultural understanding
Cross-curriculum priorities
ScOT terms

Celebrations,  Anniversaries,  Heraldry,  Emblems

Text

Defining moments in Australian History

This extensive web-based resource examines events, people and places of profound significance to the Australian people and their personal, community and national histories. The resource includes a list of 100 'defining moments' identified by historians supported by background information, images, video and links to the ...

Online

Commemorating the ANZAC legend

This integrated lesson sequence will allow students to explore how and why people choose to remember significant events of the past, specifically Anzac Day and the Legend of the ANZACs.

Online

We Remember Anzac: primary resource

Developed to commemorate the centenary of Anzac, this book provides an an Order of Service and step-by-step instructions to assist teachers and community groups to organise a respectful commemorative event. A series of four inquiry-based investigation supported by primary and secondary source material support students to ...

Online

Royal Australian Mint: units of work

This suite of teaching and learning units of work related to Australian currencies for middle and upper primary students. The units explore the role coins play in commemoration and the history of Australian currency from colonial times to post Federation. Lessons are supplemented with a range of cross-curriculum lesson ideas.

Video

ABC Open: Difficult memories, reflecting on war

Six people share their thoughts about war. This clip shows that people who have been to war usually find it difficult to talk about the experience. Hear how the experience of war can affect those who serve, their families and friends.

Video

ABC News: Full-on Aussies

How do people celebrate Australia Day where you live? Watch how diverse groups of Melburnians spend Australia Day in 2013, and hear some people talk about why they chose to become Australian citizens.

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BTN: What's Australia Day all about?

Do you know why we have a public holiday on 26 January - Australia Day? In this clip from Behind the News, investigate different perspectives on this national holiday and find out how people commemorate it.

Online

Celebrations and Commemorations

This teaching and learning sequence has a focus on Australian celebrations and commemorations to coincide with the actual dates of the various significant celebrations and commemorations in Australia, culminating in a student-led inquiry on global celebrations.

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Commemorating Anzac through engaging learning

This resource supports quality teaching and learning through specific curriculum learning opportunities to engage students, as well as enhancing whole school and community interactions and events commemorating Anzac. Part of the Bringing communities together series in response to the NSW State Anzac Centenary.

Online

Forgotten heroes

This resource (an ‘education pack’) is a 29-page PDF about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who joined the Australian Armed Services during times of war. The education pack is introduced by background notes, and is organised in three main sections: Early Years; Primary Years; and Middle Years. Each section ...

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The meaning of Anzac Day

Anzac Day means different things to different people. Five people, of varying ages, share their thoughts and feelings about Anzac Day. Some have actually served in wartime, while others have a close family member who has.

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The going down of the sun

The Last Post is played during Anzac Day ceremonies and at military funerals. Watch this clip to find out what this bugle call means, especially for someone who has lost a family member in war.

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Old People's Home For 4 Year Olds: Lest we forget

Poppies are a significant part of Remembrance Day observations. As a symbol of respect and gratitude, people place poppies at memorials for people whose lives were ended in wars. In this clip, older Australians and young children pay their respects to those who didn’t survive their wartime service. ________________________________________ ...

Interactive

Discovering democracy: we remember

View a slideshow of images and text to find out about the symbols used to represent Australia on flags, currency, sporting competitions and important days such as Australia Day. Complete a related task.

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Activity guide for RAP (reconciliation action plan) partners

This is a four-page PDF Activity guide for RAP partners that provides a range of ideas for participating in National Reconciliation Week. It provides an overview of the importance of reconciliation and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, definitions and examples of both Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement ...

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Five fast facts - NAIDOC week

This is an information sheet that introduces five fast facts relating to the National Aborigines and Islanders day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week, an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Tracing back to the Aboriginal rights movement of 1938, NAIDOC ...

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'Southern Sun' above Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1931

This is a gelatin silver-toned composite photograph measuring 32 cm x 25.5 cm, was created by E.W. Searle. The Avro-10 Southern Sun plane piloted by Charles Ulm to celebrate the arrival in Sydney of aviatrix Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Amy Johnson had crash landed in Brisbane and ...

Video

Ramadan begins

Ramadan is a holy month in the religion of Islam. Muslims around the world, including those living in Australia, commemorate this special month by fasting. Watch this video to find out why they fast and what else Muslims do during this month.

Interactive

Remembering them - mobile application

This App provides a geocoded list and historical descriptions of memorials, museums, shrines, monuments, buildings and war graves and other Australian sites that commemorate Australian's wartime history. The cross-platform application is available for free download from iTunes and Google Play. Teacher notes are available ...

Online

Research and adopt a veteran

This resource guides teachers through the process of researching the historical records of a Australian First World War veteran. School communities are encouraged to 'adopt' a local veteran. Part of the Bringing communities together series in response to the NSW State ANZAC Centenary.