Understanding ANZAC Day

Year 1 Geography – Social Sciences (NSW Syllabus)

---

Lesson Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

18 students

---

NSW Geography Syllabus Links:

Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) – Geography

• K–6 HSIE Syllabus Outcome: GE1-1 Describes features of places and the connections people have with places

• Cross-Curriculum Priority: Civics and Citizenship Understanding Australian identity, historical events, community remembrance

---

WALT – We Are Learning To:

• Understand why ANZAC Day is important to Australians
• Identify how places (such as Gallipoli) are connected to Australian history
• Participate in a group discussion about traditions and symbols
• Create a commemorative ANZAC poppy wreath through a craft activity

---

Success Criteria:

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

✅ Say what ANZAC Day is and why we commemorate it
✅ Identify key symbols of ANZAC Day (poppies, rosemary, flags, medals)
✅ Contribute to a respectful class discussion about remembrance
✅ Make a paper poppy and help assemble a class wreath for display

---

Materials Required:

• Interactive whiteboard or projector
• Picture cards showing ANZAC Day symbols
• Large world map and Australia map
• Pre-cut red paper circles (for poppy petals)
• Green straws or lolly sticks (for stems)
• Black paper circles (poppy centres)
• Glue sticks and staplers
• A3 cardboard circle (for wreath base)
• Soft instrumental or marching background music (optional)

---

Lesson Structure:

1. Introduction – 'What is ANZAC Day?' (15 minutes)

Teaching strategy: Class Discussion + Visual Literacy
Resources: Photo cards, map projection

• Begin with a short discussion using questions:

  “Who has heard of ANZAC Day?”
  “What do you think it’s about?”

• Show images of an ANZAC ceremony, poppies, soldiers, medals.

• Use a map to show where Gallipoli is located, and where it is in relation to Australia. Use a yarn string connection or light to show distance visually.

• Tell a simplified, age-appropriate story about the ANZACs:

  “A long time ago, many brave people from Australia and New Zealand went far away to help others in a war. They faced tough times but kept helping each other, and now we remember their courage and kindness every year.”

Differentiation Strategy:

• Provide visual aids and realia for EAL/D students.
• Use basic sentence stems and keywords (“ANZAC”, “poppy”, “soldier”) printed with dyslexia-friendly fonts.

---

2. Symbol Sorting Game – 'What Do We See on ANZAC Day?' (10 minutes)

Teaching strategy: Kinaesthetic Group Work / Visual Discrimination

• Using symbol cards (poppy, rosemary, medals, candles, flags, BBQs, water fights, birthday cakes), ask students to work in pairs to sort “What belongs on ANZAC Day”.

• Reinforce correct choices and explain each symbol during reflection.

Extension Activity:
Challenge fast-finishers with a puzzle where they match symbols to short sentences or meanings (e.g. “Symbol of growing again” → poppy).

---

3. Craft Activity – 'Making Our ANZAC Wreath' (25 minutes)

Teaching strategy: Creative Expression + Fine Motor Skills

• Each student will create a red paper poppy using provided materials (pre-cut petals, black centre, green stalk).

• Guide students through the simple step-by-step creation:

  a) Glue petals together
  b) Glue or staple black centre
  c) Attach green stem

• Once complete, students will take turns attaching their poppies to a large cardboard ring to create the class ANZAC Wreath.

Reflection Point:
As students glue their poppies to the wreath, ask them:

“Who are you putting this poppy on for?”

Differentiation Strategy:

• Offer larger materials and scaffolds for students with fine motor challenges
• Use textured poppy pieces for sensory needs
• Pair students or use peer support buddies to assist

---

4. Wrap-Up & Reflection – 'Why Do We Remember?' (10 minutes)

Teaching strategy: Circle Time + Oral Language

• Gather students in a circle around the completed wreath.

• Invite students to share:

  “What did you learn today about ANZAC Day?”
  “How can we show respect on that day?”

• Reinforce the idea of remembrance and respect.

• Optionally, play a soft version of the Last Post or ANZAC tribute music while students sit quietly for one minute to practise a moment of silence.

---

Optional Extensions:

1. For Advanced Learners:

   • Write a simple acrostic poem on “ANZAC” using words like “Australia”, “New Zealand”, “Army”, “Courage”.
   • Create a mini-cloud book illustrating events of an ANZAC Day parade.

2. Home Connection:

   • Send home a family interview sheet: “Ask someone in your house what ANZAC Day means to them.”

---

Assessment Strategies:

• Observation during discussions: Are children using relevant vocabulary?
• Symbol sorting: Did students recognise appropriate cultural symbols?
• Craft activity: Did students follow multi-step directions and engage meaningfully?
• Reflection: Can students verbalise at least one learning takeaway?

---

Supporting All Learners:

• Dyslexia-Friendly Strategies:

  • All written resources will use sans-serif fonts (e.g. Century Gothic or Verdana).
  • Visuals will be used to support word recognition.

• Visual and Verbal Cues:

  • Pair visual image with text (e.g. 🏵 = “poppy”)
  • Gesture and use Makaton signs if relevant.

---

Display Idea:

Display the class ANZAC Wreath on the classroom door or hallway next to the title: "We Remember Their Bravery"

Have students contribute their names or a message underneath:

“Lest We Forget – From Year 1”

---

Teacher Reflection:

After the session, jot down:

• Which students were engaged/articulated strong understanding?
• Did the craft support the emotional meaning of the lesson?
• Were different learning needs well supported?

---

This engaging lesson invites Year 1 students to explore symbols, traditions and the meaning of ANZAC Day through age-appropriate storytelling, group activities and expressive craft, rooted firmly in the NSW Geography syllabus.