Australia Map Quest

Overview

In this first lesson of the unit, students will find Australia on maps and globes, describe its shape and nearby oceans, and explore the Australian flag and national anthem in a respectful, age-appropriate way.

Learning intentions

• Students will be able to identify Australia on a map and a globe.
• Students will describe Australia’s shape and location using simple geographic language.
• Students will name surrounding oceans using teacher support.
• Students will recognise the Australian flag and listen to the national anthem respectfully.

Success criteria

• I can point to Australia on a classroom map and on a globe.
• I can say what Australia looks like (for example, large island/long shape) and where it is in the world (teacher-guided).
• I can point to and name nearby oceans with sentence starters.
• I can show respectful behaviour when viewing the flag and listening to the anthem.

Curriculum links

• Students develop knowledge and understanding of places, landforms and basic geographic features.
• Students use simple geographic vocabulary to describe location and features.
• Students participate in guided investigations and share observations and ideas.
• Students demonstrate appropriate community participation through respectful handling of national symbols and anthem.

Lesson structure (60 minutes)

1. 0–5 Welcome and routine

• Teacher introduces the unit theme: “Australia is a Special Place.”
• Students share one thing they know about Australia (for example, “It is our country.”).

2. 5–15 Find Australia on a globe

• Teacher models how to locate Australia: find the continents and then look for Australia’s shape.
• Students take turns at a globe station or teacher-led spotter task, pointing to Australia while using guided prompts like “This is Australia.”

3. 15–25 Map zoom: Australia on a map

• Teacher displays a world map and shows Australia’s position.
• Students complete an adult-guided “point and say” activity: point to Australia, then trace Australia with a finger or coloured marker.
• Teacher introduces two or three simple terms: north, south, near, around (using visual cues and gestures).

4. 25–35 Shape and nearby oceans

• Teacher holds up a simplified Australia map or large outline.
• Students identify where water is around Australia by pointing to ocean labels (or teacher says the ocean names and students repeat): Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean; and (if included on the map used) Pacific Ocean.
• Quick whole-class check: “Where is the water?” Students answer by pointing around the coastline.

5. 35–45 Build a ‘special place’ sentence

• Students practise using sentence starters on an interactive whiteboard or with cut-and-paste cards:
• “Australia is in…” (south of the world / near… as per your classroom language)
• “It is surrounded by…” (ocean names from the map)
• “Australia looks like…” (large island/long shape—choose one classroom-supported description)
• Students share one sentence with a partner or small group.

6. 45–55 Australian flag investigation

• Teacher shows the Australian flag and discusses key features briefly and respectfully (for example, stars and stripes as appropriate for this age).
• Students practise respectful viewing behaviours: still body, quiet voice, listening.
• Students record learning by colouring a pre-drawn flag template or making a simple “flag features” matching activity (teacher-guided).

7. 55–60 National anthem listening

• Teacher plays the anthem once, then again if appropriate, ensuring students listen respectfully.
• Students practise a quiet, respectful action (for example, hands on knees, eyes forward). After listening, students share a feeling or “one thing I noticed” (no pressure to sing).

Resources

• World globe (at least one working globe per 3–5 students) and a classroom world map
• Large laminated Australia outline map with ocean labels (or teacher-made visual overlays)
• Ocean word cards (Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, Pacific Ocean if used on your map)
• Sentence starter cards and/or an interactive whiteboard for guided speaking
• Pre-drawn Australian flag colouring sheets or simple matching cards
• Scissors and glue sticks (only if making a simple craft)
• Audio device to play the national anthem
• Behaviour and participation visual routine cards (for respectful listening)
• Data-recording sheet for teacher (quick checklist of key success criteria)
• YouTube video: Australia Map Quest
  Suggested video resource for students to watch.

Assessment

• Teacher observation during “point and say” activities: correct identification of Australia on map/globe and appropriate use of basic geographic terms.
• Listening and participation check: respectful behaviour during anthem and flag viewing.
• Informal student assessment through shared sentences (“Australia is in…”, “surrounded by…”).

Differentiation

• Support: Provide picture-based sentence starters and teach vocabulary with gestures and visuals; use smaller map sections (zoomed-in) for students needing extra help.
• Support: Pair students strategically so a peer can model pointing and speaking; offer teacher-led station rotations.
• Extension: Challenge early finishers to point to oceans without the label card, using “It’s around Australia” and one ocean name from memory.
• EAL/SEN: Use consistent routines, repetition, and multimodal prompts (pointing, tracing, repeating after teacher). Allow responses by pointing or choosing from two or three options rather than full sentences.