Teaching and Learning Proforma -
FAMOUS AUSTRALIANS
(Big idea - Some people become well-known
because their actions or opinions stand out)
Intended Outcomes:
Children will -
Gather and interpret data from various resources.
Record accurate information.
Present information others will be able to interpret and
understand why this person has become notable.
Take part in classroom discussions.
List resources used.
Engaging students:
Introduce this unit by asking - What constitutes being
'famous'?
Refining (students’
questions, ideas and teacher’s intentions):
As a class set up a list of notable Australian people
under the following categories -
*leaders *entertainers *explorers *artists
*athletes *writers *scientists *others
Each child will select one of the notable Australians to
research.
Extending:
The child's research should include -
- the person's name
- details about when and where the
person was born and, if appropriate, when they died
- information about where they mostly lived
- information about where they were educated
- details about their family
- a description of their life, highlighting
their main achievements
- a picture of what they looked like
- Your comments about any qualities that
you admire in the person
Whole class activities -
- Draw and label portraits of some famous Australians. Under
the portraits explain why each is famous.
- List three famous Australians in each of the following
categories: sport, entertainment, bushrangers, explorers.
- Write an acrostic poem using your famous
Australian's name.
- Find and label on a map of Australia any places named after
famous Australians.
- Who are the famous Australians on our money? Design your
own $200 note with your choice of famous Australians.
- Are there any famous people in our area? Why are they
famous?
- Draw your favourite famous sporting heroes from the past
and present. List how they are similar and different.
- Cut out pictures of famous Australians from magazines and
newspapers. Make a collage.
- Create a find-a-word puzzle using the names of famous
Australians from the pat and present. Ask a friend to complete the puzzle.
- Find out and compare the meanings of 'champion' and 'hero'.
Do people set out to become famous or does it just happen? Make a chart presenting
different ways people can become famous.
- You have become a famous Australian. How did you become
famous? Write a story explaining your fame and any problems you encountered.
- A new housing estate has been opened. You have been asked
to name all the streets after famous Australians. Draw the estate and name the streets.
- Do you think being famous would be good or bad? List all
the advantages and disadvantages of fame. Discuss with the class.
Reflecting on
what we have learnt
Follow-up questions
- What kind of information about a person's life is not
recorded in reference books?
- How do you know if the information about a person's life is
accurate?
- How are records kept of people's lives?
- How would you like to be remembered?
- What does privacy mean?
Children share their research with the class.
Teaching Resources:
Corey, Meg Australia A Learning Centre Macmillan
Education Australia Pty Ltd South Yarra 1998
Wolf, Tony What's Going On here?
Longman Australia Pty Limited Melbourne 1995
Return to
Australian Units
Teacher's Guide. © 1998 Denise Lawson
