Silverdale School Story

Overview

This 30-minute lesson introduces Year 3 students (approx. 7-8 years) to the history of Silverdale Primary School. It is designed for around 20 students and aligns closely with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (Social Sciences), particularly with learning about local history and communities. The lesson develops curriculum-appropriate knowledge, skills, and key competencies through engaging, meaningful activities suitable for this age group.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand why Silverdale Primary School was established and identify key events in its history.
• Recognise changes in the school and community over time.
• Develop curiosity about their local community and history.
• Reflect on their own connection to the school’s story.

Curriculum Links

Social Sciences Learning Area (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories):

• Understand how communities have changed over time and the significance of local places and events.
• Explore the perspectives and experiences of people in their local community.
• Social Sciences achievement objectives:
  • Understand how and why people remember and recount the past in different ways (Year 3 level).
  • Identify people in their local community who have influenced its history.
• Use evidence from stories, photographs, or artefacts to build historical understanding.

Key Competencies (NZ Curriculum Refresh):

• Thinking: Use questioning and curiosity to learn about the past.
• Using language, symbols and texts: Use pictures and stories to communicate ideas.
• Relating to others: Listen to others’ ideas and share their own respectfully.
• Managing self: Show resilience and engagement.
• Participating and contributing: Take part actively in discussions and group tasks.

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Materials Needed

• Photos/archive images of Silverdale Primary School through the years
• Timeline poster or digital slideshow to illustrate key school events
• Paper and coloured pencils
• Simple artefacts or replica items connected to local school history (if available)
• Sticky notes or small cards for reflection

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Lesson Structure

1. Engage (5 minutes)

• Begin with a warm-up question: "What do you love about our school now?" Discuss a few ideas as a class.
• Show a few old photos of the school and ask: "What do you notice that is different or the same?"
• Explain briefly that the school has a story that goes back many years.

2. Explore (10 minutes)

• Present a simple timeline of Silverdale Primary School’s history (e.g., founding date, major changes, new buildings, special events). Use visuals/photos.
• Tell a short story about a key event or person from the school’s past (e.g., the first principal, an important community event).
• Small group activity: students rotate around 2-3 stations with images and artefacts. At each station, they discuss what they see with a partner and note one interesting fact.

3. Explain (5 minutes)

• Groups share one interesting thing they learned with the class.
• Teacher summarises key points about how the school has changed and grown, emphasizing connection to the present.

4. Elaborate (5 minutes)

• Individual task: Each student draws a picture or writes a sentence about what they like most about being part of Silverdale Primary School today, linking past and present.

5. Evaluate (5 minutes)

• Reflection circle: students place their sentence or sticky note of what they learned on a class “Our Silverdale Story” board.
• Ask students: "Why is it important to learn about our school’s history?"
• Recap the key competencies practiced and encourage continued curiosity.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observation during group discussions and artefact activities shows engagement with historical ideas (thinking, relating to others).
• Learning evidence: Student drawings/sentences about the school today indicate personal connection and understanding of historical change (language, symbols, texts).
• Teacher notes on participation and contributions during sharing time.

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Differentiation

• Visual aids and oral storytelling support diverse learners.
• Extra support for writing task: sentence starters or drawing only if needed.
• Extension idea: older or advanced students could research an aspect of school history at home or interview whānau.

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Alignment with New Zealand Curriculum Refresh

• This lesson aligns with the Social Sciences learning area focused on Aotearoa New Zealand histories for students in Years 1-3, emphasizing local histories and community connections.
• Development of key competencies is scaffolded through cooperative and individual tasks with clear reflective goals.
• The lesson respects the curriculum’s values, including manaakitanga and inclusion, by encouraging sharing and valuing diverse perspectives about the school’s past and present.
• Supports the principle of localised curriculum design, fostering students’ sense of belonging and identity by connecting them to their local place — Silverdale Primary School, .

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Consider inviting a local elder or a long-serving staff member to share stories in future lessons.
• Link this lesson to other social sciences units about wider New Zealand histories for richer context as students progress.
• Use digital tools such as interactive timelines or simple video clips where possible to engage students further.

This lesson plan aims to provide a foundational historical understanding with rich opportunities for critical thinking and personal connection, ready to impress educators by adhering to curriculum refresh guidelines while also offering innovative and engaging pedagogic strategies.