Celebrating Harmony Week: Everyone belongs

This lesson is an ideal opportunity to celebrate Harmony Week. Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism and the successful integration of migrants into our community. The central message is "Everyone Belongs," fostering inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Tune In: Agree or disagree: A taste of diversity

25 minutes

Find Out: Cultural snapshots & shared stories

25 minutes

Take Action: My cultural storyboard

Learning intentions

We are learning to understand that Australia is a nation rich in many different cultures.
We are learning to plan and deliver a short presentation that shares ideas about cultural diversity.

Success criteria

I can explain what cultural diversity means and give examples.
I can share my ideas about cultural diversity clearly in a short presentation using words and pictures

💡 Tune In: Agree or disagree: A taste of diversity

Step 1

Introduce the concept of cultural diversity as different ways people live, speak, eat, and celebrate. Explain that Australia is a vibrant mix of many cultures.

Step 2

Pose the statement: "It's better if everyone in Australia eats the same food and celebrates the same holidays."

Step 3

Designate one side of the room as 'Agree' and the other as 'Disagree'. Ask students to physically move to the side that best represents their opinion.

Step 4

Invite 2-3 students from each side to briefly explain why they chose their position. Encourage respectful listening and active participation.

🔍 Find Out: Cultural snapshots & shared stories

Step 1

Explain that Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations, with almost 30% of its population born overseas and over 300 languages spoken. Introduce that Australia is also home to the world's oldest continuous cultures, those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Step 2

Show a series of images (e.g., different foods, traditional clothing, musical instruments, flags, family gatherings, festivals) representing various cultures found in Australia. Crucially, include specific examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, highlighting their ancient and continuous connection to Country.

For instance, show images of:

Show a series of images representing the various cultures found in Australia (foods, clothing, instruments, flags, festivals).

Crucially, include specific examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, highlighting their ancient and continuous connection to Country:

Rock Art: Explain these as ancient forms of storytelling and mapping Country.

Source: kateowengallery.com

Traditional Tools/Artefacts: Some Aboriginal peoples use tools such as boomerangs or digging sticks. Different Nations use tools in different ways, depending on their Country.

Source: australian.museum

Diverse Landscapes: Explain how different Aboriginal language groups have unique connections to their specific Country.

Source: markgray.com.au

Language: Mention that hundreds of languages are spoken.
- Example: "This is a greeting in the Dharug language, spoken by Dharug peoples on Country that includes parts of what is now Sydney."

📚 Teacher Resources

Teacher note: When using images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, tools, or cultural objects, ensure they are sourced from reputable organisations (e.g. AIATSIS, museums) and used only to support learning, not as decoration. Avoid sacred or ceremonial imagery. Do not encourage students to replicate cultural designs.

Step 3

For each image, briefly discuss what it shows and how it relates to culture (e.g., "This is a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument of some Aboriginal peoples," or "This is pasta, a food loved by many people, including those from Italian backgrounds in Australia"). Introduce and define customs and traditions.

Step 4

Facilitate a short pair-share activity. Ask students to discuss with a partner if they recognise any of the cultural elements shown, or if they have any cultural customs or traditions in their own families they would like to share. Emphasise that all cultures are valuable and unique.

Step 5

Model for students how to think about a cultural item and express its meaning.

"I like how Lunar New Year is celebrated with dragon dances and special foods, because it shows the importance of family and new beginnings."

✨ Take Action: My cultural storyboard

Step 1

Explain to students that they will now become 'cultural storytellers' and create a short storyboard to share something interesting about cultural diversity in Australia. This links to the idea of delivering a short presentation.

Step 2

Distribute blank storyboard templates (e.g., 3-4 large boxes per page). Each box will represent a part of their story or presentation.

Step 3

Students choose one aspect of cultural diversity they learned about today, or one that is meaningful to them (e.g., a specific food, a language, a celebration, or a tradition). Encourage them to consider aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, such as a specific art form, a dance, a story related to Country, or a traditional practice, alongside other cultural expressions in Australia.

Step 4

In each box of their storyboard, students will draw a picture and write one or two sentences to explain their chosen cultural aspect. Encourage them to use topic-specific vocabulary like culture, diversity, customs, traditions, language, or celebration.

For example:

Box 1: The boomerang is a traditional hunting tool used by many Aboriginal peoples.

Box 2: It is part of their amazing culture and history.

Step 5

Students rehearse their 'story' by verbally presenting their storyboard to a small group (2-3 students). Encourage them to use a clear voice and appropriate pace.

🌱 Story of Change: Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is Australia's largest human rights organisation providing support to people seeking asylum. They offer critical services like food, housing, health, and legal aid, and advocate for human rights. ASRC helps new arrivals find safety and belonging, ensuring their diverse cultures are welcomed and contribute to Australia's rich social fabric.

Assessment opportunities

Observe student participation and reasoning during the 'Agree or Disagree' activity.
Listen to student discussions during the 'Cultural Snapshots' activity for understanding of key concepts. Specifically note students' ability to articulate understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connections to Country and their ancient cultures.
Review student storyboards for clarity, use of vocabulary, and connection to the topic.
Observe students' ability to deliver their short 'My Cultural Storyboard' presentation to a small group, noting their tone, pace, and clarity.

Differentiation

Support:
- Provide sentence starters for storyboard captions (e.g., "This is a... from the... culture.").
- Offer a pre-selected list of cultural elements with accompanying images for students to choose from. Ensure this list includes clear, age-appropriate examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural elements.
- Pair students with stronger English skills with those who need more support for the pair-share and small group presentation.
Extension:
- Challenge students to research a specific cultural group in Australia (e.g., one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander nation, or a community from another country) and include 2-3 unique facts in their storyboard. Encourage research into the deep history and connection to Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Have students present their storyboard to the whole class, or to another small group, encouraging them to elaborate more on their chosen cultural aspect.
Literacy Extension:
- Provide students with a short, age-appropriate informational text or a storybook about a specific celebration or tradition from a culturally diverse community in Australia. Include texts that focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, traditions, or connections to Country. Students read the text and then write two new facts they learned about that culture.

Teacher Note: Use only teacher-approved sources that avoid copying symbols, designs, or stories that belong to specific First Nations cultures.

Where to next

This lesson provides a foundation for understanding cultural diversity. Future lessons could delve deeper into specific cultures, explore family histories and traditions, or focus on how language contributes to cultural identity. Students could also explore different forms of multimodal presentations, such as digital stories or short videos.

Key vocabulary

Culture: The way a group of people live, including their beliefs, customs, arts, food, and language.
Diversity: Having many different types of things or people. In this lesson, it means having many different cultures.
Customs: Ways of doing things that are common in a particular culture.
Traditions: Beliefs or customs passed down from generation to generation.
Language: A system of words or signs that people use to communicate.
Celebration: A special joyful event or activity that honours something.

This lesson was created by Thea + CoolPlus AI

Celebrating Cultural Threads

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Summary

Learning intentions

Success criteria

Lesson Guides and Printables

Lesson Details

Prior Knowledge

Skills Required

Curriculum Mapping

Resources Required

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Additional Information

Related Professional Learning

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