Lest We Forget 2022 comprises five new literature-based units of work for PETAA members. The units support the study of contemporary picture books and novels so that students can explore representations of WW1, analyse quality texts and use them as a model to develop personal responses to aspects of the war. Students are invited to share their responses by submitting work samples.
Each classroom unit of work is linked to the Australian Curriculum and offers classroom activities, strategies, and exercises for examining context, content, language, grammar, and more.
These units are available exclusively for PETAA members.
2022 Lest We Forget literature-based teaching units of work
The ANZAC Billy by Claire Saxby, Mark Jackson & Heather Potter
Themes: Family, war, ANZACs, World War One.
Year levels: Australian Curriculum: English, Foundation – 2; HASS (History), Foundation – 2; Technologies (Design & Technology), Foundation – 2; Mathematics, Foundation – 2
Why use this book: This book tells the story of the impact of war on the families left behind. Narration of the story from the perspective of a young boy allows young learners to relate to events from history in an age-appropriate way. The simple sentences and use of first-person language provides opportunities for analysing sentence-level grammar and for supporting students to apply their understanding to their own writing. The book can also be used as a springboard for investigating the cross-curriculum areas of Mathematics and Design & Technology.
Unit writer: Karen Rogers
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Alfred's War by Rachel Bin Salleh and Samantha Fry
Themes: Belonging, citizenship, discrimination, mateship, war, remembrance, sacrifice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories & Culture.
Year levels: Australian Curriculum: English, Year 5 & 6; HASS – History, Year 5 &6; Critical & Creative Thinking, Level 4; Arts (Drama & Visual Arts), Year 5 & 6
Why use this book: This book challenges students to acknowledge the discrimination experienced by First Nations people throughout history. It tells the story of Alfred using factual language, and the effective use of illustrative techniques allow the reader to engage with the story as an outsider, while offering an invitation to ‘walk in the shoes’ of the main character. This book acknowledges the often overlooked and unacknowledged contribution by First Nations people.
Unit writer: Karen Rogers
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When the War is Over by Jackie French and Anne Spudvilas
Themes: Peace, war, hope, family, togetherness, love.
Year levels: Australian Curriculum: English, Year 5 & 6; HASS (History), Year 5 & 6, Visual Arts, Year 5
Why use this book: This text prompts readers to think about the impact of war, not from the perspective of those who fought, but from those left behind. It builds an appreciation of what it might be like to have a loved one leave for war. Touching on the atrocities of war in an age-appropriate way, the text provides a springboard for further investigation of specific conflicts or the impact on those left behind. The poetic style of the book allows for the exploration of ways that we can use language to express our feelings about a topic in a moving and insightful way.
Unit writer: Karen Rogers
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The Poppy by Andrew Plant
Themes: Remembrance, gratitude, war, peace, connection, hope, friendship, place.
Year levels: Australian Curriculum: English, Year 3 & 4; HASS (History & Geography), Year 3 & 4; Visual Arts, Year 3 & 4; Mathematics, Year 3 & 4.
Why use this book: The connection and enduring ANZAC-inspired friendship between this small town in France and Australia provides a message of hope for young students as they try to understand the atrocities of war. The content and themes of the text act as a springboard for learning about the events of war and the significance of commemorations such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. The images created to tell the story allow students to make connections between the text and the world and to understand the ways that places can be significant to different people for different reasons.
Unit writer: Karen Rogers
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Dreaming Soldiers by Catherine Bauer
Themes: Friendship, discrimination, racism, loyalty, culture, mateship.
Year levels: Australian Curriculum: English, Foundation – 2; HASS (History & Geography), Foundation – 2; The Arts (Drama & Visual Arts), Foundation - 2
Why use this book: This book supports students to see the effects of war through the eyes of the two fictional characters and their families. It acts as a springboard for conversations about discrimination and friendship as well as introducing students to the reasons for commemorative days such as ANZAC Day. The narrative gives an insight into the way that families and soldiers were affected by war and the hardships they faced. It provides opportunities for interpreting visual texts and for noticing how words and pictures work together to convey an author’s message. Students can make connections to the text by thinking about the ways that we can remember and recognise the contributions that First Nations people have made.
Unit writer: Karen Rogers
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