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

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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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 ...

Video

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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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 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.

Video

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. ________________________________________ ...

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.

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

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.

Video

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.

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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.

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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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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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Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors?

This resource supports the series Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? Which explores familiar historic periods and events through the eyes of children who lived through them. Each episode reveals a true story of a resilient and courageous child from the past, and challenges modern-day children to emulate their experiences. ...

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Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud

This resource was curated in response to the theme of the 2024 NAIDOC week: Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud! The theme highlights the diverse achievements and knowledge passed down through generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The resource provides a series of curated, age-appropriate ...

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Dirk Hartog 1616 – 2016: A Resource for Year 3 and 4 History Teaching

This resource uses the story of Dirk Hartog, in the context of the Dutch East India Company and journeys to the Spice Islands, to develop historical inquiry skills as well as sequencing and use of historical terms. A shorter resource has also been included to support Year 3 teachers to explore the significance of Hartog's ...

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Western Australia at War 1914 Year 3 Lesson sequence

This set of lessons explores the experiences of Western Australian soldiers in World War 1. It provides opportunities to explore the symbolism of the poppy and of the different flags of nations involved in the war. Following research activities, students develop a presentation about a soldier or an aspect of the war. An ...

Image

'Southern Sun' above Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1931

This is a gelatin silver-toned composite photograph measuring 32 cm x 25.5 cm, created by E.W. Searle. The Avro-10 Southern Sun plane piloted by Charles Ulm celebrated 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 was flown ...

Video

Untold Stories, Ep 12: The submarine that ran amok at Gallipoli

Alec Nichols was a farm boy from the Sunshine Coast who joined the navy at the age of 18. During World War I, he was one of 35 men on the AE2 submarine that broke through enemy lines in the Dardanelles strait. After five days of sustained attacks from the Turkish navy, the submarine had to surface. The men were captured ...

Video

BTN: Holi, a festival of colour

One of the world's brightest festivals is the festival of Holi. Learn about this colourful Hindu celebration and how it is celebrated.