Celebrating Harmony Day

Curriculum Area

Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Foundation Year
Strand: Knowledge and Understanding – Geography
Content Descriptor:

• ACHASSK017: How they, their family, and their community celebrate past and present.

Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the meaning of Harmony Day and why it is celebrated in Australia.
• Recognise that people in their class and community come from diverse backgrounds.
• Participate in an interactive song and fingerplay to engage with multicultural themes.

Success Criteria

Students will:

• Listen to and engage with a story about diversity and inclusion.
• Join in with a fingerplay activity related to friendship and harmony.
• Sing along with a simple song about togetherness and kindness.

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Lesson Structure (20 minutes)

1. Warm-Up Discussion (3 minutes)

Begin by asking:

• “Who has heard of Harmony Day?”
• “What do we think ‘harmony’ means?”
• “What do we notice about the people in our classroom? Do we all look the same, speak the same, or share the same traditions?”

Briefly explain:

• Harmony Day is about celebrating everyone and being kind.
• It is held on 21 March and is about coming together as one community.
• The colour orange represents Harmony Day because it stands for respect and encouragement.

2. Fingerplay Activity – "Hands Together, Hearts Apart" (5 minutes)

This fingerplay will help reinforce the value of friendship and working together.

(Use actions to go along with the words)

Hands together, hearts apart (clap hands together, then spread arms wide)
Let's all be friends and make a start! (join fingertips in a circle like friends holding hands)
Hold a hand, give a smile, (hold an imaginary hand, then smile at a partner)
Let's spread kindness all the while! (wave hands like sending kindness out into the class)

Repeat twice, encouraging the children to do bigger actions each time.

3. Storytime – "I'm Australian Too" by Mem Fox (7 minutes)

Why this book?

• This beautiful picture book explores the diverse backgrounds of Australian families.
• It celebrates people from all around the world who call Australia home.

Read aloud with expression and pause at pages where different cultures are introduced. Ask questions like:

• “What country did this family come from?”
• “Does anyone's family come from another country?”
• “How do we all belong in Australia together?”

4. Harmony Song – "We All Belong" (5 minutes)

(Sing to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")
(Encourage students to join in with simple actions!)

"In Australia, big and small,
We all belong, one and all.
Different voices, different ways,
Still we laugh, learn, love, and play!
In our classroom, happy and bright,
We keep our world kind and right!"

Repeat twice and gently clap along to the rhythm to keep engagement high.

5. Wrap-Up & Reflection (3 minutes)

• Ask: “What is one thing you learned about Harmony Day?”
• Invite students to share a way they can be kind and welcoming to others.
• Finish by saying:
  • "Harmony Day is about celebrating our amazing differences while remembering that we are all one big family in Australia."

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Assessment & Differentiation

• Observation: Watch for student participation in the discussion, fingerplay, and song.
• Differentiation: If some students are ESL learners, encourage them to share a word in their home language. Use visual aids (such as pictures of Harmony Day celebrations).

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Materials Needed

✅ Storybook: "I'm Australian Too" by Mem Fox
✅ Space for movement for the fingerplay & song
✅ Optional: Small Australian and multicultural flags

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Extension Activity (if time allows)

• A "Handprint Harmony Mural":
  • Each child dips their hand in a different paint colour and places it on a class poster to show unity.
  • Label it "We all belong!"

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Teacher Reflection (Post-Lesson)

• Were students actively engaged in the activities?
• Did they grasp the concept of Harmony Day and diversity?
• What worked well, and what might be improved next time?

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This highly interactive lesson plan ensures that Foundation Year students in Australia grasp the heart of Harmony Day through movement, music, and storytelling. It follows the Australian Curriculum while fostering inclusivity and a love for diversity from an early age. 😊 🇦🇺