Category: Media Literacy

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 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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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!

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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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