HASS · Year 3 · Celebrations and Commemorations · Term 2

National Days: Meaning and Perspectives

Exploring Australia Day, NAIDOC Week, Sorry Day, and other national days, including what they celebrate and who they honour.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS3K02

About This Topic

National days in Australia are more than just public holidays; they are windows into our national identity and history. This topic examines days like Australia Day, NAIDOC Week, and National Sorry Day, exploring their origins and the different ways they are perceived across the community. It aligns with AC9HASS3K02 by investigating how these days contribute to a sense of national unity or highlight areas for reconciliation.

Year 3 students begin to understand that one day can mean different things to different people. For example, while some celebrate on January 26, others observe it as a day of mourning. This topic comes alive when students can engage in structured discussion and peer explanation to explore these diverse perspectives in a respectful way.

Key Questions

1. Explain the historical context and purpose of Australia's national days.
2. Compare the different perspectives on celebrating Australia Day.
3. Analyze the significance of NAIDOC Week and Sorry Day for First Nations peoples.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the primary purpose and historical context for Australia Day, NAIDOC Week, and National Sorry Day.
• Compare and contrast at least two different perspectives on the celebration of Australia Day.
• Explain the significance of NAIDOC Week and National Sorry Day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Classify national days based on whether they primarily commemorate historical events, celebrate culture, or promote reconciliation.

Before You Start

Community Celebrations

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of how communities celebrate events together to grasp the concept of national days.

Identifying Key Information in Texts

Why: Students must be able to extract factual information to understand the purpose and history of different national days.

Key Vocabulary

Commemorate	To remember and show respect for someone or something, often through a ceremony or event.
Reconciliation	The process of restoring friendly relations between groups of people who have had a dispute or conflict.
Perspective	A particular way of viewing things, a point of view.
Indigenous Australians	The First Peoples of Australia, including Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Everyone celebrates Australia Day the same way.

What to Teach Instead

Many students assume it is just a day for BBQs. Active learning through looking at different news clips or stories helps them understand that for many First Nations peoples, it is 'Invasion Day' or 'Survival Day.'

Common Misconception

NAIDOC Week is only for Aboriginal people.

What to Teach Instead

Students may think they shouldn't participate if they aren't Indigenous. Peer discussion can clarify that NAIDOC Week is for all Australians to celebrate the history and culture of First Nations peoples.

Active Learning Ideas

Formal Debate: The Purpose of National Days

Divide the class into groups to discuss whether national days should be about celebrating the past, thinking about the future, or saying sorry for mistakes. Students present their arguments to a 'community panel.'

50 min·Small Groups

Stations Rotation: A Calendar of Significance

Set up stations for different days (e.g., Harmony Day, NAIDOC Week, Australia Day). At each station, students find one fact about why the day started and one way people observe it today.

45 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: Why do we say 'Sorry'?

After learning about National Sorry Day, students reflect on why an apology is important for healing. They share their thoughts with a partner on how saying sorry helps people move forward together.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Local councils often organize community events for Australia Day, involving citizenship ceremonies and family activities in parks and public spaces.
• Museums and cultural centres across Australia, such as the National Museum of Australia, host special exhibitions and talks during NAIDOC Week to share the histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Schools and community groups may hold assemblies or reflection activities on National Sorry Day to acknowledge the Stolen Generations and promote understanding and healing.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Why do you think different people feel differently about Australia Day?' Guide students to share their ideas, encouraging them to use respectful language and listen to their classmates' viewpoints. Record key ideas on a class chart.

Quick Check

Provide students with a graphic organizer with three columns: 'Australia Day', 'NAIDOC Week', 'National Sorry Day'. Ask them to write one sentence in each column explaining what the day is about and who it honours. Review responses for accuracy.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write down one thing they learned about why national days are important and one question they still have about these days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I explain the controversy around January 26 to 8-year-olds?

Focus on the idea of perspective. Explain that for some, it marks the start of modern Australia, but for First Nations peoples, it marks the day their way of life changed forever. Use the analogy of a story with two different characters seeing the same event.

What does NAIDOC stand for?

It stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It has its roots in the 1938 Day of Mourning and has grown into a week-long national celebration of First Nations excellence and culture.

How can active learning help students understand national days?

Active learning, like role-playing a community meeting, allows students to 'step into the shoes' of different community members. This builds empathy and helps them understand why certain days are sensitive or deeply important to different groups.

What is the difference between Harmony Day and NAIDOC Week?

Harmony Day (March 21) celebrates Australia's multiculturalism and the successful integration of migrants. NAIDOC Week specifically celebrates the distinct culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nations of this land.