Coping with Loss

Year Level

Year 9

Learning Area

Humanities and Social Sciences — History

Unit Context

This lesson is lesson 16 of 30 in the unit "Experiencing World War 1".

Lesson Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

28 students

Lesson Description

Students will connect personal stories of loss during World War 1 to the historical events studied in previous lessons. They will contribute to a collaborative class memory wall project, sharing personal narratives that reflect on the impact of loss caused by the war. Visuals and symbols will support dyslexic learners and students requiring writing assistance. Advanced learners will extend their work by creating digital story presentations.

Australian Curriculum Alignment

Content Descriptions

AC9HH9S08 - Create descriptions, explanations and historical arguments, using historical knowledge, concepts and terms that incorporate and acknowledge evidence from sources.
AC9HH9K08 - The causes of the First World War and the reasons why Australians enlisted to fight in the war.
AC9HH9K05 - Continuities and changes and their effects on ways of life and living conditions around the turn of the 20th century in Australian society.
AC9HH9K06 - Different experiences and perspectives of colonisers, settlers and First Nations Australians and their impact on Australian society’s ideas, beliefs and values.

General Capabilities

Literacy: Narrative writing, multimodal presentations
Personal and Social Capability: Reflecting on personal and collective histories
Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Digital story creation
Critical and Creative Thinking: Analysing and expressing historical perspectives and personal experiences

Learning Objectives

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

Explain personal and collective experiences of loss during World War 1 using historical knowledge and empathy.
Contribute meaningfully to a class memory wall project that represents personal stories related to loss.
Use visuals and symbols to support comprehension and expression, particularly for students with dyslexia.
Extend their storytelling skills through creating a digital story (for advanced learners).
Collaborate respectfully and support peers with diverse learning needs.

Success Criteria

I can share a personal story related to loss during WW1 and connect it to historical events.
I can contribute my story to the class memory wall using text and visuals.
I use visuals and symbols to help explain my story.
I support others by listening and helping with writing, if needed.
(Extension) I can create a digital story that tells of loss in WW1.

Resources Needed

Large display board or wall space for the memory wall
Sticky notes, coloured paper, markers, symbols and pictures related to WW1
Printed story prompts and writing frames with visual cues
Tablets or computers with basic digital storytelling software/apps (for extension task)
Audio recorder or voice-to-text tools (optional for writing support)
Dyslexia-friendly fonts and text layouts provided

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Recap (10 minutes)

Briefly recap the key facts about the impact of World War 1 on individuals and communities, emphasising experiences of loss (family, friends, society).
Reinforce with visual timelines and photographs for dyslexia-friendly context.
Invite students to reflect quietly on what loss means to them personally or historically.

2. Linking Personal to Historical (15 minutes)

Distribute story prompt sheets with sentence starters and visual symbols (e.g., poppies, letters, medals).
Prompt students to write or dictate a short personal story or imagine a family story of loss connected to WW1.
Provide writing support for students with spelling or attention difficulties using scribe help or speech-to-text.
Encourage use of simple words alongside meaningful drawings or symbols.

3. Memory Wall Creation (15 minutes)

Students write or draw their story on coloured paper or sticky notes.
Each student adds their work to the class memory wall.
Facilitator guides students to discuss the similarities and differences between the stories and historical perspectives.
Use this as a collaborative reflection on the human cost of war.

4. Extension Activity: Digital Storytelling (10 minutes)

Introduce the option for advanced learners to take home or begin in class a digital storytelling project using slideshow or video tools.
These can combine voice recording, images, text, and music to create a personal or historical narrative.
This caters to ICT capability development and creative expression.

5. Wrap-up and Reflection (10 minutes)

Whole-class discussion on how sharing and hearing stories of loss help us to understand history deeply.
Ask students to share how the memory wall made them feel connected to the past.
Emphasise the importance of respectful listening and the value of diverse voices in history.

Differentiation Strategies

Provide story writing frames with visual prompts for all students.
Use speech-to-text or scribe assistance for students with handwriting or spelling difficulties.
Use dyslexia-friendly fonts, high-contrast colours, and symbols.
Allow oral story sharing as an alternative to writing.
Provide extra time and one-on-one support where needed.

Extension for Advanced Learners

Compose and produce a digital story combining narration, music, historical images, and personal reflection using simple editing software.
Research and add quotes or real letters from WW1 soldiers or families for authenticity.
Present the digital story to the class or school community.

Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Options

Use large, clear, sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Comic Sans).
Break texts into short, simple sentences.
Incorporate images and symbols alongside key words.
Provide oral instructions along with written materials.
Display key points on colourful posters and the memory wall.

This lesson builds empathy and historical understanding through personal stories while aligning closely with the Australian Curriculum (Years 7-10 History content descriptions) and supporting diverse learners, including those with dyslexia and ADHD. The memory wall project fosters collaborative learning and personal connection to history, aligning with the teacher’s style of mixing HASS and English and catering to a range of abilities. The digital storytelling extension adds an engaging, multimodal element for gifted or advanced students.

Teaching Instructions