Year 8 Lesson Plan: ANZAC Day Exploration

Subject: New Zealand History

Duration: 60 minutes

Class Size: 26 students

Curriculum Area: Social Sciences

Curriculum Levels: Level 4 (Years 7 - 10)

Date: [Specific date yet to be determined by the educator]

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, Year 8 students will explore the historical significance of ANZAC Day in New Zealand, focusing on the origins, customs, and legacy of this important national remembrance day. Students will engage in interactive activities, critical discussions, and reflective writing to deepen their understanding of New Zealand's involvement in global conflicts and the meaning of remembrance.

Learning Outcomes:

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

1. Explain the origins and significance of ANZAC Day.
2. Identify key historical figures and battles associated with ANZAC.
3. Understand the impact of the World Wars on New Zealand society.
4. Demonstrate empathy and appreciation for the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

Resources Needed:

• Interactive whiteboard or projector
• Access to the New Zealand History online ANZAC Day resources: NZHistory ANZAC Day
• Printed copies of soldiers' diaries or letters from the World Wars (available from local archives or online)
• Poppies for each student (art supplies to make paper poppies if real ones aren't available)
• Writing materials for students

Lesson Structure:

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Welcome and Overview:
  • Begin with a brief introduction to ANZAC Day, explaining its origins from the ANZAC troops landing at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
• Video Clip:
  • Show a 5-minute video clip from NZOnScreen - ANZAC Collection that encapsulates the spirit of ANZAC Day.

Activity 1: Role of ANZAC Soldiers (15 minutes)

• Group Discussion:
  • Divide students into groups of 4. Assign each group a specific battle or event related to New Zealand troops in World War I or II.
  • Each group reads a brief account of their assigned event and discusses the key points: who, what, when, where, why.
• Presentation:
  • Each group presents their findings to the class, focusing on the significance of the event in New Zealand's ANZAC history.

Activity 2: Voices from the Past (20 minutes)

• Reading and Reflection:
  • Distribute copies of diaries or letters written by New Zealand soldiers during the wars.
  • Students read the excerpts individually, then reflect on the emotions and experiences described.
• Writing Task:
  • Students write a short letter or diary entry from the perspective of a soldier or a soldier's family member, expressing their thoughts and feelings about the war.

Conclusion (15 minutes)

• Discussion and Reflection:
  • Gather as a whole class and discuss the emotional impact of the letters/diaries.
  • Reflect on why it is important to remember the contributions and sacrifices of ANZAC troops.
• Creating Poppies:
  • Each student creates a poppy, a symbol of remembrance, and writes the name of a soldier or a message of peace on it.
  • Discuss as a class where these could be displayed to create a commemorative art piece.

Assessment:

• Formative Assessment:
  • Observations during group discussions and presentations to gauge understanding.
  • Evaluation of the written reflections and diary/letter entries for empathy and historical perspective.

Links to The New Zealand Curriculum:

This lesson plan aligns with the Social Sciences area of The New Zealand Curriculum, specifically at Level 4, focusing on how the past is remembered and how historical events affect the lives of New Zealanders today.