HASS · Foundation · Our Community and Celebrations · Term 3

Commemoration and Remembrance: ANZAC & NAIDOC

Introducing the idea of remembering people or events from the past through days like ANZAC Day or NAIDOC Week.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASSFK03

About This Topic

Commemoration means remembering important people and events from the past with respect and quiet reflection. In Foundation HASS, students learn about ANZAC Day, which honors the courage and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand service men and women, especially from the 1915 Gallipoli landing during World War I. They also discover NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate the enduring culture, history, and contributions of First Nations peoples. These days highlight the difference between joyful celebrations, like birthdays, and solemn remembrances that build community bonds.

This content supports AC9HASSFK03 by helping students recognize significant community days and their purposes. Through key questions, they explain why we mark ANZAC Day, analyze NAIDOC Week's role for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and compare celebrations with commemorations. Early exposure builds empathy, cultural respect, and basic historical awareness in everyday contexts.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly with Foundation students. Hands-on tasks, such as crafting remembrance symbols or sharing family stories, turn abstract ideas into concrete experiences. These approaches make emotional concepts accessible, encourage respectful dialogue, and create lasting connections to Australian identity.

Key Questions

1. Explain the purpose of commemorating historical events like ANZAC Day.
2. Analyze the significance of NAIDOC Week for First Nations peoples.
3. Differentiate between a celebration and a commemoration.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key symbols and figures associated with ANZAC Day and NAIDOC Week.
• Explain the purpose of remembering historical events and people for ANZAC Day.
• Analyze the significance of NAIDOC Week for First Nations peoples in Australia.
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of a commemoration with a celebration.

Before You Start

Community Helpers

Why: Understanding the roles of people in a community provides a foundation for recognizing the roles of service personnel and cultural leaders.

Family and Friends

Why: Recognizing the importance of people in their personal lives helps students understand the concept of remembering and valuing others.

Key Vocabulary

Commemoration	Remembering and honoring people or events from the past with respect and thoughtfulness.
Remembrance	The act of recalling and honoring past events or people, often with a sense of solemnity.
ANZAC Day	A national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that commemorates those who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
NAIDOC Week	A week in July that celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
First Nations peoples	The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia, the original inhabitants of the continent.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All special days are happy parties like birthdays.

What to Teach Instead

Commemorations like ANZAC Day focus on respect and sadness for sacrifices made, unlike joyful celebrations. Sorting activities with images help students physically categorize and discuss differences, building clear distinctions through peer talk.

Common Misconception

NAIDOC Week is only for First Nations families.

What to Teach Instead

NAIDOC Week invites everyone to learn about and honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Story circles and shared dances include all students, fostering inclusion and correcting narrow views through collective participation.

Common Misconception

We commemorate to forget the past.

What to Teach Instead

Commemoration keeps memories alive to learn lessons and show gratitude. Creating symbols like poppies reinforces this purpose, as hands-on making paired with reflection helps students internalize remembrance over forgetting.

Active Learning Ideas

Small Groups: Poppy Art for ANZAC

Provide red tissue paper, green stems, and black centers for students to assemble poppies. Discuss how poppies symbolize fallen soldiers and place finished poppies on a class remembrance wall. Groups share one fact learned about ANZAC Day.

30 min·Small Groups

Whole Class: NAIDOC Story Circle

Read a picture book about First Nations culture, then form a circle for students to share what they celebrate in their families. Introduce NAIDOC symbols like the boomerang and connect to weekly events. End with a group clap for First Nations achievements.

25 min·Whole Class

Pairs: Celebration Sort Cards

Give pairs cards with images of birthdays, ANZAC marches, NAIDOC dances, and weddings. Students sort into 'celebration' or 'commemoration' piles and explain choices to the class. Reinforce with a shared anchor chart.

20 min·Pairs

Individual: My Special Day Drawing

Students draw a special day from home or school, labeling if it is a celebration or commemoration. Share drawings in a gallery walk, noting similarities to ANZAC or NAIDOC. Collect for a class display.

35 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Families attend dawn services or marches on ANZAC Day, often wearing a poppy, to show respect for soldiers who served Australia.
• Community events, art exhibitions, and educational programs during NAIDOC Week highlight the ongoing cultural traditions and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Local councils or historical societies might organize events to mark significant local anniversaries, teaching younger generations about their town's past.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Show students images related to ANZAC Day (e.g., a poppy, a soldier) and NAIDOC Week (e.g., Indigenous art, a flag). Ask students to point to the image and say one word about what it makes them think of.

Discussion Prompt

Ask students: 'What is one way we show we remember people who were brave?'. Then ask: 'What is one way we celebrate the culture of First Nations peoples?'. Record their answers to compare the actions.

Exit Ticket

Give each student a card with two columns: 'Remembering' and 'Celebrating'. Ask them to draw one picture in each column that shows something they learned about ANZAC Day or NAIDOC Week.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to explain ANZAC Day to Foundation students?

Use simple stories of bravery and mateship, focusing on poppies and marches rather than battle details. Pair with crafts like poppy making to symbolize sacrifice. This keeps content age-appropriate, builds respect, and connects to community events students may see.

What makes NAIDOC Week significant?

NAIDOC Week recognizes the world's oldest continuous cultures through achievements, history, and traditions of First Nations peoples. It promotes reconciliation and pride. Classroom activities like cultural dances or art introduce these ideas positively, aligning with curriculum goals for cultural awareness.

How can active learning help teach commemoration?

Active methods like group sorting cards or creating remembrance art make abstract ideas tangible for young learners. Students physically manipulate symbols, discuss in pairs, and share, which deepens understanding and emotional connection. These approaches outperform passive listening by engaging multiple senses and building empathy through collaboration.

How to differentiate celebration from commemoration?

Celebrations mark joyful events with fun, while commemorations remember serious past events solemnly. Use visual sorts and role-play: act out a party versus a quiet march. Anchor charts from class discussions solidify the contrast, helping students apply it to real days like ANZAC or NAIDOC.