Challenge details
The challenge
Create a short news bulletin on a battle in France or Belgium in which Australians fought during the First World War.
Between 1916 and 1918 Australians fought at 29 locations on the Western Front that ran 700 kilometres from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border.
Using primary sources, students research one battle and produce a news bulletin which reports the important details from the perspective of those involved.
The news bulletin should be in the style of a newsreel or radio report to reflect the period. It could include the following aspects:
- recruitment
- life in the trenches
- battle tactics and strategies
- scars of the battles
- diary entries of soldiers, nurses, prisoners of war
- the aftermath and consequences.
NSW syllabus links
Stage 5 - history
This challenge addresses history outcomes and content from the BOSTES NSW K-10 Syllabus incorporating the Australian Curriculum.
Outcomes
Core Study – Depth Study 3: Australians at War: World Wars 1 (1914-1918)
A student:
- explains and assesses the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia (HT5-1 )
- sequences and explains the significant patterns of continuity and change in the development of the modern world and Australia (HT5-2 )
- explains and analyses the causes and effects of events and developments in the modern world and Australia (HT5-4 )
- identifies and evaluates the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process (HT5-5 )
- explains different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of the modern world and Australia (HT5-7 )
- applies a range of relevant historical terms and concepts when communicating an understanding of the past (HT5-9 )
- selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual and digital forms to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences.(HT5-10 )
Content
An overview of the causes of the wars, why men enlisted and where Australians fought. (ACDSEH021, ACDSEH095, ACDSEH024)
Students:
- outline the main causes of both wars
- locate and sequence the places where Australians fought in both wars
- explain why Australians enlisted to fight in both wars.
Significant events and the experiences of Australians at war. (ACDSEH108)
- using sources, students investigate the following features of each war:
- prisoners of war
- a specific campaign, eg the Western Front 1916
- the role of women
- participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- a specific event/incident, eg the Battle of Hamel 1918.
Impact of the wars on Australia. (ACDSEH096, ACDSEH109)
Students:
- outline the Australian governments' control on the home front in both wars for each of the following:
- conscription
- use of government propaganda
- changing roles of women
- enemy 'aliens'
- wartime controls/censorship.
Resources
Related resources
Website links to specific and general background information will support students and teachers to meet the challenge outcomes.
- Australians and the Western Front – The Australian remembrance trail in France and Belgium
- WW1 The Western Front – The Australian army history in focus
- Australians on the Western Front – the Australian
- In their own words : ANZACs of the Western Front- produced by the Australian War Memorial's film and sound curators.
In addition, other links provide information about 21st century learning pedagogy and a selection of digital creation and presentation tools. Web links (.pdf 108KB)
Related literature
Details of a selection of stage appropriate literature that includes picture books, novels and non-fiction titles. These stories and poems may inspire, generate creative ideas and provide background information for your challenge. Related literature (.pdf 486KB)