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- Aussie Symbols
Aussie Symbols
Level
Middle primary
Curriculum links
Links to the Australian Curriculum
Description
Students work in groups to identify, examine, collect, and present a range of symbols and logos used in Australia. Students use different methods to collect information and to present their findings to create a classroom resource.
Duration
One session, with extra time for the collection and presentation of information.
Materials
camera, Internet, email, newspapers and magazines, articles from home, books.
Procedure
1. Setting the scene
In a whole-class discussion, tell your students that they will be investigating the use of symbols in Australian life. Write the word symbol on the board and ask the class if they know what it means. Have them name any other word similar to symbol (e.g., sign, emblem, badge). List any words they identify. Ask the students to look around the classroom for any symbols and to name others they know. List these examples on the board.
2. Organising research
Tell your students that they will work in small research groups to collect information to share with the class. Write the following group names on the board: Internet, email, photography, media, books, and collections. Ask them to discuss what activities might be a part of the investigation of each group. These will include Internet (use Internet to search for the topic symbol and select and collect appropriate resources, e.g. AUSFLAG; email (use email to contact other schools to ask for copies of school badges, crests, banners); photography (students use a camera to photograph examples of symbols in the local area); media (use newspapers and magazines to collect published symbols); books (students use the school and local libraries to gather resources); collections (students collect flags, stamps, etc., from friends and family).3. Collecting information
Give students a timeline for collecting their information. Have them work out a list of responsibilities within their groups and allow class time for checking progress.4. Presenting findings
Have the students decide which style of presentation is most effective for their particular type of information. Ask the students to identify some guidelines that they can use to organise their work. List these on the board or on a poster for reference (e.g., Who is the audience? What should be included? How should the information be presented?). Set a deadline for completion of the project and monitor the progress of each group. Nominate a class time for each group to explain their resource. Set aside a display area for the materials so students can make use of the materials throughout the unit.
Extension activity
Contact any members of the local community who would be appropriate to come to the class to discuss symbols associated with their club or group (e.g., clubs, local government).You may want to tape record these talks so students can listen to them later for project work. Photographs could be taken to add to the photograph file.
