About modules
Each individual module explores a different focus topic relating to the First World War and memorialisation, and is comprised of four to five videos that adopt the following structure:
- Introduction to the module and to the Anzac Memorial building.
- A story or play in audio format.
- A reflective exercise.
- An exploration of history relevant to the individual module.
- A creative exercise for the classroom or home, featuring elements of creative arts, historical source analysis and literacy.
Students are guided through activities by our engaging team of presenters and actors. At the end of each program, students are invited to share their work with the Anzac Memorial learning team, who will provide feedback via email.
We invite you to explore these modules and their curriculum links below and get in touch with us to make a booking!
To enquire, get in touch with the Learning Team by email education@anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 8262 2904.
FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Rosemary for Remembrance (Stage 2)
Conduct an historical inquiry through the stories and lives of our Anzacs in this engaging and creative workshop. Students discover the meaning behind the rich symbolism and emblems within the Anzac Memorial. Students will listen to the engaging story of Lone Pine, exploring the power of symbols in storytelling through this transportive story and its rich soundscape. Using art, objects and storytelling as a creative starting point, students will reflect on how the values of the Anzacs translate to their own lives.
Curriculum links: History K–10: Community and Remembrance; Creative Arts K–6: Visual Arts | Key inquiry question: How and why do people choose to remember significant events of the past? | Content: Days and weeks celebrated or commemorated in Australia (including Anzac Day) and the importance of symbols and emblems (ACHHK063) | Outcomes: HT2–1, HT2–5, VAS2.1, VAS2.4
FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
ANZAC War Horses (Stage 3)
In this inspiring and moving module, we explore the role of the Australian Light Horse and the unbreakable bond between man and horse, through literacy and drama. Discover our compelling Australian war horse story – the battles fought, won and lost that helped forge our national identity and give birth to a legend. This online module includes an audio recording of Loyal Creatures, written by acclaimed author Morris Gleitzman, which takes students on the remarkable journey of one Light Horse Trooper and his beloved horse, Daisy. Featuring a performance by an actor and a transportive soundscape, students are invited to immerse themselves in this fictional First World War adventure from the farms of Mudgee to the deserts of Egypt and Palestine. Students will explore the true stories housed in the Memorial that relate to the story, reflecting on the decisions the character makes in the story through an historical lens. Participants are then invited to respond to the performance through a creative writing exercise.
Curriculum links: English K–10: Stage 3 Creative Arts K–6: Drama Also incorporates History K–10 | Content: Speaking and Listening (EN3–1A) Writing and Representing (EN3–2A) Responding and Composing (EN3–5B) Thinking imaginatively, creatively, interpretively and critically (EN3–7C) Appreciating – Responding critically to a range of drama works and performance styles (DRAS3.4) Australia as a Nation – the contribution of individual groups to the development of Australian society (ACHHK116)
FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Devoted Service (Stage 3)
During this workshop students will explore the lives of four courageous servicewomen, brought to life by an engaging audio drama, performed by actors. Created entirely from letters and diary entries, these dramatised readings explore different perspectives of women who served in the First World War. Focusing on the role of nurses and matrons, this workshop highlights the physical and emotional labour provided by over 2,000 Australian women. In this audio-visual module, students will explore the Memorial and investigate primary sources unique to the Centenary Exhibition that were written by wounded soldiers and the nurses that cared for them. Students will then be encouraged to reflect on the values present in these sources, and how they can apply these values in their own lives and communities.
Curriculum links: English K–10: Stage 3, Creative Arts K–6: Drama, History K–10 syllabus | Content: Speaking and Listening (EN3–1A) Writing and Representing (EN3–2A) Thinking imaginatively, creatively, interpretively and critically (EN3–7C) Responding critically to a range of drama works and performance styles (DRAS3.4) Australia as a Nation – the contribution of individual groups to the development of Australian society (ACHHK116)
FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Amazing ANZACS (Stage 3)
With brave hearts our first Anzacs left our shores to fight on foreign soil. Students will explore some of the Australian experiences of the First World War through the lens of four individual stories of four amazing Anzacs, learning along the way about the quintessential human qualities our Anzacs possessed. They will then explore their own creativity in response to the unique artwork, architecture and artefacts of the Anzac Memorial using living sculpture and puppetry as an artistic medium.
Curriculum links: History K–10: Australia as a Nation; Creative Arts K–6: Visual Arts What contribution have significant individuals and groups made to the development of Australian society? | Content: The contribution of individual groups including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders and migrants, to the development of Australian society, for example in areas such as the economy, education, sciences, the arts, sport (ACHHK116) | Outcomes: HT3–3, HT3–4, HT3–5, VAS3.2, VAS3.4
FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Devoted Service (Stage 5)
This moving and revealing workshop is divided across five videos, and explores the vital role that the Medical Corps played throughout the First World War. In a powerful, engaging audio drama performed by four actors, the actions and values of three nurses and a matron are conveyed through first-hand written accounts, brought to life by an immersive soundscape. Students will learn about both the medical support provided, as well as the often-overlooked emotional labour. Accessing original sources of poetry and reflections written by convalescent soldiers, students will explore the significance and purpose of correspondence, and will be encouraged to write their own letter from the perspective of someone serving during the war, based on their own source analysis. This activity can be completed at home or in class. The workshop concludes with a short film that brings to life an object on display in the exhibition that belonged to one of the NSW nurses who served during the Great War.
Curriculum links: Depth Study 3: Australians at War: World War I (1914–18) | Key inquiry question: What was the significance of World War I? How did new ideas and technological developments contribute to change in this period? | Content: Overview of the causes of the war; the scope and nature of warfare; significant events and the experiences of Australians at war, in particular the role of women; impact of the wars on Australia; significance of the war to Australia. | Outcomes: HT5–1, HT5–5, HT5–7, HT5–9, HT5–10
FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
ANZAC War Horses (Stage 5)
In this inspiring and moving online module, we explore the role of the Australian Light Horse, to learn more about our First World War history through the unbreakable bond between man and horse. Discover our compelling Australian war horse story – the battles fought, won and lost that helped forge our national identity and give birth to a legend. The workshops is delivered across four videos, and includes an immersive audio recording of Loyal Creatures, written by Morris Gleitzman, a remarkable piece of historical fiction enriched by a transportive soundscape. Students learn about the real history in the Anzac Memorial building that relates to the story, before being provided with an in class or at home activity, reflecting on personal events in their own lives that are expressed through the medium of poetry.
The mix between history and creativity made for a compelling performance piece which left a significant emotional impact on me.
Curriculum links: Depth Study 3: Australians at War: World War I (1914–18) | Key inquiry question: What was the significance of World War I? How did new ideas and technological developments contribute to change in this period? | Content: Overview of the causes of the war; the scope and nature of warfare; significant events and the experiences of Australians at war; impact of the wars on Australia; significance of the war to Australia; commemorations and the nature of the Anzac legend. | Outcomes: HT5–1, HT5–5, HT5–7, HT5–9, HT5–10
