An interactive book with engaging activities and printable worksheets about where Australians served during the Second World War. The book provides an overview of the locations, why Australians served there and what happened. Students engage with the content by completing a variety of activities and quizzes. Optional activities are provided in the teacher notes for students to apply and summarise the content.
Teacher notes
Learning intention
This resource introduces students to the different locations that Australians served in during the Second World War.
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- locate some of the different regions where Australians served
- explain why Australians were serving there
- summarise key points in a retrieval chart.
Lesson resources
- Second World War: where Australians served interactive book
- Second World War: where Australians served retrieval chart [PDF 221KB]
Optional activities
- Second World War: map location task [PDF 266KB] – students identify on a world map the regions that Australians served during the war.
- Second World War: postcard writing [PDF 284KB] – students write a postcard from a selected location, imagining their experiences of service here during the war.
Teaching ideas
This lesson can be used for learning in a variety of ways in class, at home or for relief teacher lessons.
Whole-class guided lesson
Read through one location and complete relevant row in retrieval chart. Complete all locations. To consolidate their learning, provide the learning response activities (see above) or online interactive activities.
Whole-class activity
After reading each section, locate and label the region on a large classroom display map. Create an informational achor chart, recording the students' learning of key points. Including, location, years, who was involved, key battle (if relevant) and result. For example: North Africa, mid-1940 to 1943, Allies including Australia, Siege of Tobruk, Axis forces abandoned the siege and retreated.
Group activity – expert jigsaw
Organise students into groups. Allocate each group a different location. Using the information in the interactive book and taking notes on their retrieval chart, the group becomes an expert in that region. The group could create a brief slide or presentation of images that show the experiences of Australians in that area. Groups present their learning to the class or combine different experts into new groups to share learning. While experts are presenting, students complete the relevant row in their retrieval chart.
Independent activity
Students read through each location and complete activities embedded throughout the resource. Use an exit pass at the end of the lesson. For example, list 4 places that Australians served during the Second World War.
In-class quiz
Use the information from the interactive book to play Kahoot! or set up team quiz to revise knowledge in an enjoyable, engaging and quick way.
Supporting resources
- Where Australians served in the Second World War: a visual activity (coming soon) – students examine primary source images of the different locations and could also use this resource as part of their expert jigsaw presentation (see 'Teaching ideas' above).
Australian Curriculum
Knowledge and understanding
Students learn about the places where Australians fought, and their perspectives and experiences during the Second World War, such as the fall of Singapore, prisoners of war (POWs), the Battle of Britain and Kokoda (AC9HH10K02).
Teaching sensitivities
Teachers are advised to be sensitive to students' perspectives and emotions while using this resource. When working through the activity, teachers will need to consider their students' religious and cultural beliefs, any experiences of war or conflict, or parents serving in the defence forces. It is the responsibility of teachers to consider whether it is appropriate to use this resource with their students.
