Commemoration and the Anzac legend

Transcript | Image Copyright

Viewing Guide

Before

Think about an Anzac or Rememberance Day ceremony you attended recently.

Where was it located?
What was significant about that location?
Why did you attend the event?
Why do you think such ceremonies have become more popular in recent years?

After

Research the First World War memorials and monuments in your local area.

Is there one on your school grounds?
Are there any you know of that are not listed in the current records? (Some memorials have been 'lost' and are not included in any offcial record.)

Individually, or in groups, choose one of the following methods to research and record one of your local memorials.

Teaching notes

Site study of local memorials and monuments

This task has been designed to act as an in situ site study that complements the virtual site study of Ypres.

You may need to scout your local area before beginning this task to locate at least one or two First World War monuments and memorials. It is very possible that you have an honour board or other memorial on your school grounds.

Students should visit at least one of these memorials and explore who made it, any features about it and think about how this monument reflects the history of your local area and the people who caused it to be erected.

Authentic learning

This project has been designed to give students an authentic reason for their learning. Encourage students to add knowledge and information to their broader community by adding to public resources like Google Maps or the War Memorials Register.

You might also like to have your students present their work or virtual tours to your local RSL as a resource.

Obtaining images

Ideally this task will require students to explore their local area and gather images of local monuments and memorials in order to complete their project.

During this visit you could have students take 2D and 360 panoramic images that can be uploaded to Google, used in their virtual tour or submitted to the War Memorial Register.

If such a visit is not possible you will need to take these images yourself and supply them to your students using a shared folder. Taking 360 degree images can be done with your smart phone using an app.

Extension activities

Have your students choose one of the veterans honoured by the monument or memorial and conduct biographical research on that digger using some of the sources supplied in this resource.

Syllabus outcomes

History outcomes

A student:

explains and analyses the causes and effects of events and developments in the modern world and Australia (HT5-4)
applies a range of relevant historical terms and concepts when communicating an understanding of the past (HT5-9)
selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual and digital forms to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences (HT5-10)

History content

Commemorations and the nature of the ANZAC legend

Students:

explain how and why Australians have commemorated the wars
explain different perspectives on the ANZAC legend

Historical concepts

Empathetic understanding: the actions, values, attitudes and motives of people in the context of the past.
Significance: the reasons why the importance of an event, development or individual may change over time, eg commemoration of ANZAC Day.

Historical skills

Analysis and use of sources

identify different types of sources
identify the origin, content, context and purpose of primary and secondary sources
process and synthesise information from a range of sources as evidence in an historical argument

Empathetic understanding

interpret history through the actions, values, attitudes and motives of people in the context of the past

Research

ask and evaluate different kinds of questions about the past to inform an historical inquiry
identify, locate, select and organise information from a variety of sources, using ICT and other methods