Category: Active Citizenship

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.

DOWNLOAD LESSON SLIDES (PDF)

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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be kind to animals week schools

October 1st to 7th

The Be Kind to Animals Week school event invites students to celebrate compassion and respect for all living beings and find ways to improve the lives of other animals.

DOWNLOAD 2016 RESOURCE KIT (PDF)

Did you know? Studies show that children who are kind to animals are more likely to act kindly towards their peers.

Be Kind to Animals Week is an annual nationwide event where schools are invited to do one kind act for animals. This could be anything from building birdbaths around the school to raising funds for a local animal shelter to creating posters about important animal rights issues.

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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.”

DOWNLOAD LESSON MATERIAL (PDF)

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

Your child 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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homeschool activities

TOPIC SUMMARY

In the age of digital technology, children are exposed to more information than ever before. It’s important to help them approach information critically while maintaining a sense of respect for all opinions and perspectives.

The Australian Curriculum places a big emphasis on critical thinking and media literacy skills, and parents play an important role in developing these skills at home from an early age.

Now more than ever in the age of fake news and social media, these skills are crucial in navigating misleading information and questionable practices by business leaders, media personalities and politicians.

Here are some fun activities to develop critical thinking and media literacy skills in a fun and engaging way at home.

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animal rights club students

Why start a club?

Empower your students, foster critical and creative thinking skills, and have some fun!

DOWNLOAD CLUB KIT (PDF)

 

Starting a Kindness Club at school is a great way for young students to get together and share ideas, plan and carry out meaningful and empowering activities for change and spread awareness about animal rights, welfare and protection issues in their communities. 

What is the Kindness Club Kit?

The Kindness Club kit is suitable for students in Years 3–8, but can easily be adapted for most year levels. It contains an 8-page booklet to help students set up their club and includes information for club facilitators.

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