National Reconciliation Week 2024 is commemorated from May 27 – June 3. This year’s theme,Now More Than Ever,acknowledges the importance of continuing to work towards reconciliation no matter what. It is an important time of the year to work with your students to build knowledge of and engage with your local First Nations Australian communities, sharing knowledge and exploring methods of support and action.
We have a huge range of resources at TT that are perfect for National Reconciliation week, no matter your year level! With huge variation in differentiation, curriculum content, editability and prep, there truly is something for everyone 💛
In today’s blog, we’ll be exploring some of our favourite resources and how you can use them during National Reconciliation Week to teach, learn, share and connect with your community.
Please note that we highly recommend connecting with elders and community members on the Country where you and your students are working to obtain the most relevant information and advice for your context.
Our Early Years First Nations resources are all about keeping content as hands-on and engaging as possible for our little learners. These age-appropriate activities will help keep your class on track during Reconciliation Week 🥰
💛 Bring Them Home: Sorry Day Craft: Perfect for acknowledging National Sorry Day on May 26, this craftivity asks students to create gorgeous footprint-shaped artworks using plants and flowers from your class garden. You can elevate this task by engaging with a local First Nations Australian elder to talk to your class about the different plants in your local area and how the community uses them for food, medicine and more.
💛 Kookoo Kookaburra Mask: Read the storybook Kookoo Kookaburra by Gregg Dreise with your class and then create these fun kookaburra masks! You can use these masks to support dramatic retellings of the story, or have students create their own stories.
💛 Who Saw Turtle? Directed Drawing: After reading the story Who Saw Turtle? by Ros Moriarty, use this directed drawing task to create beautiful turtle artworks to display in your classroom. Directed drawings are perfect for students to begin learning about the parts of the animal and the different patterns they can use in their art pieces.
💛 Reconciliation Week Design a Poster: Featuring this year’s theme of Now More Than Ever, use these posters as a follow-up to a class discussion. Students can decorate the templates using the art styles and materials of their choice.
In Years F-2, students can begin engaging with more detailed explorations of the topics and themes surrounding Reconciliation Week. Our resources are designed to support student learning in a fun, hands-on way to keep your class on task from beginning to end ✏️
💛 Sorry Day Emotions Worksheets: These worksheets are designed to be used with a whole class reading of the storybook Sorry Day by Carol Vass. Explore the events of the story and the emotions felt by the main character throughout the narrative using this set of differentiated tasks.
💛 All About National Sorry Day F/1 POWERPOINT: This teaching presentation dives into National Sorry Day’s history and conception in an age-appropriate manner. Also available for
💛 Reconciliation Week Hand in Hand Display: Featuring exclusive artwork by Ryhia Dank of Nardurna, these displays feature a whole class affirmation you can use to reinforce the core purpose of Reconciliation Week. Display the affirmations in a variety of ways, including as a handprint flower or as a centrepiece in an art garden!
In Years 3-6, teachers are presented with an amazing opportunity to engage students in research and hands-on learning about the importance of Reconciliation Week and what they can do to create change and show respect. Use these resources to discover key information and help your students explore the history of Reconciliation Week and their local First Nations Australian community 📖
💛 National Sorry Day Timeline Sort: Use this no-prep cut and paste task to order historical events that led to the introduction of National Sorry Day. We also have a National Sorry Day Timeline Research Template available that allows students to independently research the timeline and take notes.
💛 National Sorry Day 3D Craft: Use this craftivity to create an eye-catching classroom display while researching key information about National Sorry Day. Follow up your lesson with National Sorry Day Quiz POWERPOINT to check for student understanding.
💛 Possum Skin Cloaks Foldable: Cover both HASS and Science curriculum content using this foldable task exploring how First Nations Australian communities used and adapted natural resources from the land in everyday life. The foldable makes for a colourful wall display and encourages exploration of First Nations Australian traditions. Engage with an elder from your local community for firsthand knowledge of how these traditions may have continued into the modern day and why it’s important to pass them down through generations.
What will you be doing with your class this year to acknowledge National Reconciliation Week? Make sure to show us what you create by tagging us @topteacher 💛
