As stated in the HSIE Syllabus section of my blog this section is dedicated to some lesson ideas that I have developed for a Stage 2 class completing the Culture Strand of HSIE.
FIRST LESSON
The first lesson called “Australia and All Its Beauty”. This lesson is meeting the Strand Cultures and both the outcomes that make up this strand for Stage 2, that is,
- CUS2.3 Explains how shared customs, practices, symbols, languages and traditions in communities contribute to Australian and community identities.
- CUS2.4 Describes different viewpoints, ways of living, languages and belief systems in a variety of communities.
This lesson consists of having students introduced to the topic of Australia, by watching a You Tube clip. The students will then discuss the following topics: Famous sites, Native Fauna and Flora, Symbols (Australian Flag, Coat of Arms and the Australian Map), sports and leisure activities and then certain politics of Australia. The students then as part of the body of the lesson would be separated into four groups. Each of the groups will have butcher’s paper, HSIE books and textas. Within the four groups, an activity is conducted and after 7mins the groups rotate, so that all students have an opportunity to complete each of the four activities.
First Activity: students will have to brainstorm together all the important / significant and famous sites of Australia and write them on the butcher’s papers and into their books, labeled “Australia’s Landmarks”.
Second Activity: students will work on the computers to find out the diverse lifestyles of Australia. So people living in the country, city, near the beaches, bush land. Students will need to note down in their books their responses.
Third Activity: students will discuss and mind map all the different customs and practices of Australia, so example, Australia Day, Anzac Day, Melbourne Cup, St Patrick’s Day, Easter and Christmas, Queen’s Birthday. Students will need to note them down in their books.
Fourth Activity: students will list all the symbols they can think of that represent Australia and then choose one to draw and colour in their books.
For the closure of the lesson, students will be given the worksheet “AUSTRALIA AND ALL ITS BEAUTY” to fill out. The students will fill it out and then hand it back in.
As an extension activity, for next lesson, students will write / draw or create a PowerPoint Presentation of their cultural lifestyle experience that they and their family participate in Australia.
SECOND LESSON
The second lesson is called Coat of Arms. The lesson is also aimed at Stage 2 class and is part of the Culture Strand. The syllabus outcomes that this lesson is meeting include,
- CUS2.3 Explains how shared customs, practices, symbols, languages and traditions in communities contribute to Australian community identities.
- VAS2.1 Represents the qualities of experiences and things that are interesting or beautiful by choosing among aspects of subject matter.
This lesson is also integrating a visual art outcome. The lesson consists of reviewing the students prior knowledge about Coat Of Arms. Asking them a series of questions, such as,
- What is it?
- What does it represent?
- Why do we need / have it?
- What is its importance and significance to Australia
- Why have those two animals been chosen?
- Ask the students for their thoughts on the symbol – where else have they seen it. Important documents, passport, 50 cent coin, parliament house.
The body of the lesson includes the students are to design and create their very own coat of arms and as a conclusion share it to the class and then if time permits or there are early finishes, they can write a description of their coat of arms and create a poster of one Australian celebration.
Some useful websites that can be used to facilitate these lessons include:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTzdojMxNWE
http://www.australian-information-stories.com/fun-facts-about-australia.html
http://www.australian-information-stories.com/fun-facts-about-australia.html
