Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 3 HASS
Year 3 HASS: community, remembrance, celebrations, and diversity. Students explore how communities are shaped by different groups, and develop an understanding of First Nations histories and cultures.
01Community and Remembrance
Students explore how communities remember important events and people through memorials, monuments, and commemorative days that connect us to our shared past.
Exploring why communities create memorials and hold commemorative events, including Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, and other days of significance.
Stories of people in our community who have contributed to making life better, including local heroes, volunteers, and leaders past and present.
Investigating the history of our local area: who lived here first, how the area has changed, and what stories the place can tell.
Learning about flags, emblems, and anthems that represent different groups within the Australian community.
Exploring how stories and oral traditions preserve history and cultural knowledge, especially within First Nations communities.
Understanding why historical buildings and sites are preserved and their role in connecting us to the past.
Investigating how museums and archives collect, preserve, and display historical artifacts and documents.
Developing skills in creating and interpreting timelines to sequence historical events and understand chronology.
Differentiating between primary and secondary sources and understanding their use in historical inquiry.
Learning to formulate effective historical questions to guide investigations into the past.
02Celebrations and Commemorations
Students investigate the significance of celebrations and commemorative events, including national days, cultural festivals, and family occasions.
Exploring Australia Day, NAIDOC Week, Sorry Day, and other national days, including what they celebrate and who they honour.
Festivals and celebrations from different cultures in Australia, including Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid, and more.
Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ceremonies and seasonal celebrations that connect people to Country.
Exploring the unique ways families celebrate milestones and how these traditions are passed down through generations.
Investigating how celebrations and commemorative events change over time and adapt to new contexts.
Exploring the various symbols, objects, and rituals used in celebrations and their cultural meanings.
Investigating the role of food in cultural celebrations and how it connects people to their heritage.
Exploring how music, dance, and storytelling are integral parts of cultural expression and celebration.
Reflecting on why societies choose to commemorate certain events and the impact these commemorations have.
Students work collaboratively to plan a hypothetical community celebration, considering diverse perspectives and traditions.
03Places and Environments
Students explore the characteristics of places, how they are managed, and the importance of protecting environments.
Identifying the difference between natural, managed, and constructed features in the local environment.
Investigating how people, including First Nations Australians, protect and manage local environments.
Exploring how the climate of a place affects the plants, animals, and people that live there.
Developing skills in using maps, globes, and digital tools to locate places and identify their features.
Understanding local weather patterns, the four seasons, and First Nations seasonal calendars.
Identifying and describing major landforms (mountains, plains, deserts) and water bodies (rivers, oceans, lakes) in Australia.
Exploring different natural resources found in Australia and how they are used by people.
Investigating common environmental problems (e.g., pollution, deforestation) and potential solutions.
Learning about the concept of First Nations Country and how it differs from modern political boundaries.
Exploring everyday actions and practices that contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle and protect the environment.
04Diverse Communities and Civic Life
Students explore the diversity of their community and how people participate in democratic processes.
Exploring the different cultural backgrounds in Australia and how diversity enriches our social life.
Understanding that everyone in a community has rights and responsibilities to ensure fairness.
How groups make decisions through voting, discussion, and compromise.
Exploring how people work together to solve local issues and improve their community.
A basic introduction to the services provided by local government, like libraries and parks.
Understanding the difference between rules and laws, and why they are important for a fair society.
Exploring different ways individuals can participate in their community and contribute to civic life.
An introduction to traditional First Nations systems of governance, law, and dispute resolution.
Understanding how news and information are shared in the community through different media.
Learning how individuals and groups can advocate for changes they believe will improve their community.