HASS · Year 1

Active learning ideas

Interviewing Family Members

Active learning turns abstract questions into real conversations, which fits this topic perfectly. Students build confidence by practicing interviews with classmates before reaching out to family, making the skill feel manageable and purposeful.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS1S03

• 20–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 25 min · Pairs

Pair Practice: Mock Family Interviews

Pairs take turns as interviewer and family member, using 5-6 prepared question cards. Switch roles after 5 minutes and note one interesting fact on a shared chart. Debrief as a class on what made questions effective.

What questions could you ask a family member to find out what life was like when they were young?

Facilitation Tip

During Pair Practice, model how to phrase questions slowly and wait for a thoughtful answer, especially with shy students.

What to look for

Observe students as they practice asking a partner a question about a hypothetical childhood. Ask: 'Can you state one question you would ask your grandparent about playing games when they were little?' Check for clarity and appropriateness.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 30 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Question Bank Build

Brainstorm questions together on the board, categorizing them by themes like food, toys, or school. Vote on the top 10 for home use. Students copy their favorites into personal booklets.

What do you think your parents' or grandparents' lives were like when they were your age?

Facilitation Tip

When building the Question Bank, limit options at first to 5-6 strong examples so students focus on quality over quantity.

What to look for

Provide students with a small card. Ask them to draw one thing they learned from an interview with a family member and write one word to describe it. Collect these to gauge understanding of gathered information.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 45 min · Small Groups

Small Groups: Story Reenactment

After home interviews, groups reenact a family story using props like hats or drawings. Perform for the class and discuss similarities to today. Record key learnings on group posters.

How can asking family members questions help us learn about our family's history?

Facilitation Tip

For Story Reenactment, provide simple props like hats or fabric to help students step into roles without pressure.

What to look for

After students share their findings, ask: 'What was the most surprising thing you learned about your family's past? How is it different or similar to your life today?' Facilitate a brief class discussion comparing stories.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 20 min · Individual

Individual: Home Interview Journal

Students prepare 3 questions at home, interview a family member, and draw or dictate the response in a journal. Bring journals to school for a show-and-tell circle.

What questions could you ask a family member to find out what life was like when they were young?

Facilitation Tip

Set a clear time limit for Home Interview Journals so students know the task is concise and doable.

What to look for

Observe students as they practice asking a partner a question about a hypothetical childhood. Ask: 'Can you state one question you would ask your grandparent about playing games when they were little?' Check for clarity and appropriateness.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with structured practice in class to normalize mistakes in a safe space. Use modeling and think-alouds to show how to turn vague ideas into clear questions. Avoid rushing into real interviews before students have tested their questions with peers. Research shows that young learners benefit from repeated, low-stakes practice before tackling more complex tasks.

Students will listen actively, ask clear questions, and share findings with respect. They should recognize that family stories hold value whether they describe big events or everyday moments, and they should feel prepared to conduct their own interviews at home.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Pair Practice, watch for students who assume family stories must focus only on holidays or birthdays.

  Use the mock interviews to expand their idea of what counts as a story. After each round, pause and ask, 'What about everyday life? Like what they ate for breakfast or how they got to school?' List these on the board to normalize the idea.

• During Question Bank Build, some students may default to yes/no questions.

  Hold up two sample questions and ask the class to vote silently on which one invites more detail. Use this to introduce the power of open-ended starters like 'How' or 'What was it like when...'.

• During Story Reenactment, students may conclude that life in the past was completely different from today.

  After reenactments, gather students to compare their scenes with modern photos or objects. Ask, 'What feels familiar? What feels new?' Use sticky notes to sort observations on a chart to show both change and continuity.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play