melbourne cup lesson plan

LESSON SUMMARY

Rosie’s family celebrates the Melbourne Cup each year. Her dad loves to bet on the winning horse! But recently, she read a media story about how horses are treated in the racing industry.

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Year Level: 3–4

Learning area: Humanities and Social Science

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; personal and social capability; ethical behaviour

Lesson duration:

105 minutes

 

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • generate questions about the Melbourne Cup event using a KWL chart
  • examine media stories about Melbourne Cup protests in Australia and distinguish factual accounts from opinion pieces
  • think critically about the horse racing industry and ask questions to do with whether certain issues are right, ethical or fair.
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animal rights lesson plan

LESSON SUMMARY

When Jane Goodall went to Gombe to study chimpanzees, she discovered a breakthrough observation. “I arrived here as a scientist and left as an activist.”

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Year Level: 3–4

Learning area: Science, English

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; personal and social capability; literacy; sustainability (cross-curriculum priority)

Lesson duration:

80 minutes (Part A–B); 120 minutes (Part C); 60 minutes (Part D)

 

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • learn about the unique characteristics and features of chimpanzees
  • understand how science knowledge about chimpanzee behaviours led to widespread discussion about habitat loss
  • understand how human activities contribute to habitat loss for chimpanzees
  • learn about different methods of activism, including community building, lobbying, petitioning and protesting
  • plan, draft and publish an imaginative, informative and persuasive text for the purpose of activism.
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animal idioms

LESSON SUMMARY

Going on a wild goose chase? Letting the cat out of the bag? What about taking the bull by its horns? Explore how animal idioms and the language we use shape our relationships with others.

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Year Level: 5–7

Learning area: English

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; literacy; personal and social capability

Lesson duration: 85 minutes (Part A–C); 40 minutes (Part D); 60 minutes (Extension Activity)

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • identify the meanings of common animal idioms and understand the context in which they are used
  • learn how idioms are used to express and create personal, social and cultural identities
  • understand the concept of speciesism and analyse arguments against using animal idioms, identifying the author’s point of view using language and vocabulary clues
  • devise their own alternatives to animal idioms and create a supporting illustration.
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animals have feelings

LESSON SUMMARY

Trotsky isn’t your regular house pet…he’s a pig! He and his human Elvis enjoy a very special friendship. In this lesson, students will learn about the complex and endearing nature of pigs – an often misunderstood animal.

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Year Level: K–1

Learning area: Science

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; ethical understanding; literacy

Lesson duration: 120 minutes

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • learn about the unique characteristics of pigs
  • understand that pigs have physical, social and emotional needs, just like humans do
  • understand that pigs kept as pets live differently to pigs raised on farms, and that it’s the responsibility of humans to make sure their needs are met.
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free homeschool resources

LESSON SUMMARY

Human mothers aren’t the only ones who form close bonds with their babies. Learn how cows, pigs, chickens and sheep love and nurture their offspring.

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Year Level: 1–2

Learning area: Science

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; ethical understanding; literacy

Lesson duration: 120 minutes

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • understand that animals reproduce, grow and change
  • learn about how different animal mothers care for their offspring
  • understand the different stages in the life cycle of cows, pigs, chickens and sheep
  • draw comparisons between how certain animals like cows, pigs, chickens and sheep reproduce in a more natural setting versus an intensive production farm.
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