Anzac Day social studies activities

What do you already know about Anzac Day?

This is a frame-up exercise.

• Divide your class into groups of four.
• Give each group a large sheet of paper, and tell each member of the group that they are allowed one edge of the paper each, with the middle of the paper to be kept blank. Ask them to imagine it looking like a picture frame. They each have a side of the frame to write on.
• Now give the class two minutes to record everything they can think of or know in relation to Anzac Day. It could be words, dates or images – there is no right or wrong response, and there is no talking.
• After two minutes tell them to put down their pens and observe what the other members of their group recorded.
• If there are words or terms that are common to at least two members of the group, then record these in the middle of the paper, where the picture would be in the frame.
• Ask one member of the group to present the notes from the middle of the page to the rest of the class. Someone can compile a list on the board and, as each group adds information, highlight the recurring themes and ideas.
• Now see if you can tease out, as a class, a couple of sentences that could be used to explain what Anzac Day is about. One way to help focus thinking is to imagine that you are talking to a student from another part of the world who knows absolutely nothing about this day. At this stage it might be useful to refer to the feature on Anzac Day.