Crocodile Christmas Theme

Lesson 1: Introduction to The Great Australian Christmas Theme

Year Level:

Year 6

Duration:

50 minutes

Class Size:

7 students

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Learning Intention:

• To understand the significance of Australian Christmas, exploring unique themes such as Australian wildlife and cultural traditions relevant to Christmas.
• To begin developing ideas for creating crocodile sculptures inspired by Australian Christmas themes.

Success Criteria:

• Students can identify and discuss key elements that make Australian Christmas unique.
• Students contribute ideas collaboratively to a group brainstorming session.
• Students produce initial sketches representing their conceptual ideas for crocodile sculptures.

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Australian Curriculum Links (The Arts – Visual Arts, Year 6):

Content Descriptions:

• AC9AVA6C01: Use visual conventions and visual arts processes and materials to plan and create artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning.
• AC9AVA6E01: Explore ways that visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials are combined to communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning in works from different times, places and cultures.

Achievement Standards:

• Students create artworks inspired by ideas, experiences, and imagination, using particular techniques and processes to communicate meaning and narrative.
• Students discuss how artworks reflect Australia’s environment and cultural traditions.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Modelled Teaching (15 minutes)

• Teacher begins with a discussion on Australian Christmas: what is unique about it compared to Northern Hemisphere Christmases? (e.g., summer heat, native wildlife like kangaroos and crocodiles, local Christmas traditions like barbecues, beach celebrations).
• Show images and short stories/examples of Australian wildlife and Christmas-themed artworks for visual context.
• Prompt students to think about ideas connected to a "Great Australian Christmas," focusing on crocodiles as an iconic local animal.
• Teacher models thinking aloud to generate ideas for an artwork sculpture themed around crocodiles at Christmas.

Curriculum Link: Develop knowledge and understanding of how to represent ideas and Australian contexts in visual arts using appropriate materials and conventions (AC9AVA6C01) .

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2. Guided Group Brainstorming (15 minutes)

• In a guided session, the class collaboratively brainstorms ideas for their crocodile-themed Christmas sculptures.
• Record ideas on a whiteboard or chart titled "Great Australian Christmas Crocodile."
• Focus prompts: What might a crocodile look like with Christmas elements? How can we include Australian flora, fauna, or cultural symbols?
• Encourage all students to contribute; use inclusive questioning to engage all abilities.

Differentiation:

• Lower potential learners: Provide visual prompts and examples to support idea generation.
• Middle potential learners: Encourage them to connect cultural elements with artistic ideas.
• High potential/gifted learners: Challenge to think of innovative cultural fusions or design features.

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3. Independent Sketching (15 minutes)

• Students independently create initial sketches of ideas for their crocodile sculptures incorporating Australian Christmas themes.
• Teacher circulates to support and ask probing questions about their choices of materials, colours, or themes.
• Students label their sketches with brief notes explaining their concept and Australian Christmas elements included.

Differentiation:

• Scaffold sketching with templates for students needing extra support.
• Encourage extension by challenging gifted students to design complex mixed-media ideas or multi-perspective compositions.

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4. Reflection and Sharing (5 minutes)

• Students share their sketch ideas briefly with the class or a learning partner.
• Teacher highlights links to Australian culture and traditions discussed during the lesson.
• Set expectations for next lessons focusing on sculpture construction based on these ideas.

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Resources:

• Visual examples of Australian Christmas scenes, crocodiles, native flora and fauna.
• Sketch paper, pencils, erasers, coloured pencils or crayons.
• Whiteboard/chart paper for brainstorming.

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Assessment:

• Formative: Observation during group discussion and brainstorming to assess understanding and participation.
• Sketchbook review: Evaluate ability to communicate ideas visually and link to the Australian Christmas theme.
• Use success criteria to give feedback tailored to student abilities.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners:

• Research additional Australian Christmas customs or Indigenous stories related to local animals and incorporate these ideas into their next sculptures.
• Create a written or oral presentation about their crocodile design’s cultural significance.

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Summary:

This lesson engages Year 6 students in Australian contextual learning through art by exploring the rich theme of Christmas in Australia with a creative twist — crocodile sculptures! The lesson applies the Australian Curriculum v9 Visual Arts standards (AC9AVA6C01, AC9AVA6E01), includes scaffolded learning stages—modelled, guided, independent—and is carefully differentiated to meet diverse learner needs within a small class. This foundation sets the stage for a creative artistic unit rooted in local culture and personal expression.

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If you would like, I can also prepare the next lessons in this unit following this framework.