SYMBOLS OF GREAT BRITAIN
LEVEL – Lower primary
SYMBOLS OF GREAT BRITAIN DESCRIPTION In these activities, students learn about the various symbols typically associated with London and Great Britain. They discuss their own responses to the symbols and explore design elements and features including colours, shapes, lines and create their own drawings.
These cross-curriculum activities contribute to the achievement of the following:
Creative and visual arts •
Selects, combines and manipulates images, shapes and forms using a range of skills, techniques and processes.
English •
Interprets and discusses some relationships between ideas, information and events in visual texts for general viewing.
SUGGESTED TIME approximately 10-20 minutes for each activity (this may be customised accordingly)
WHAT YOU NEED • • • • •
pictures of a Kangaroo, Australian flag, Uluru, Sydney Opera House, southern cross star constellation, boomerang and other associated photographs and illustrations. pictures of Union Jack, Royal Guardsmen and Red Double Decker Buses and other associated photographs and illustrations. Copies of Student handout paper paint, brushes, markers, crayons and other art materials
ACTIVITIES The following activities may be completed independently or combined as part of a more comprehensive learning sequence, lesson or educational program. Please refer to your own state or territory syllabus for more explicit guidelines.
Introducing symbols 1. Show the class a few pictures of a Kangaroo, Australian flag, Uluru, Sydney Opera House, southern cross star constellation, boomerang and other associated photographs and illustrations. Explain that these are symbols of Australia. 2. Show the class a few pictures of Union Jack, Royal Guardsmen and Red Double Decker Buses. Discuss any responses to the photographs. Brainstorm names and descriptions for the symbols, adding additional items as outlined in the following sample:
Red doubledecker bus
Red telephone box
Red post boxes
Big Ben
Afternoon tea
Royal guardsmen Royal family
Symbols of Great Britain
Union Jack
London policeman (“Bobby”)
3. Discuss where and when these symbols are likely to be found. Explain that the objects, people and flags depicted in the photographs are symbols of Great Britain and are often used on souvenirs for tourists or during events such as a concert or showcase. One such event is the Opening Ceremony for London 2012.
Distribute art material and work with the class to create drawing of one or more of the symbols. Add a member of the Australian Olympic Team to your drawing. Display student artworks around the classroom.
REFLECT ON a.s.p.i.r.e. VALUES
Discuss how painting, drawing and creating art allows you to express yourself. How does a symbol help a country or nation to express itself? What are some situations where the Australian Olympic Team might express themselves?
EXPLORE A LITTLE FURTHER • • • • • • •
Develop additional drawing for Australian symbols and display on the classroom wall. Use the symbols of Great Britain in a class play or performance. Invent a simple play or drama for some characters who travel on a London doubledecker bus, meet a police officer (“Bobby”) or visit Big Ben. Research floral emblems of Great Britain including shamrock, thistle, rose and leek. Collect photos and illustrations of different types of symbols for other countries and nations that are competing at London 2012. Research artworks and cultural events in which the symbols of Great Britain are used. Explore more photos of London at http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=london
STUDENT HANDOUT
London Underground (train)
Big Ben
Queen’s Guard
Tower Bridge “London Bridge”
Union Jack (flag)
Horse Guard
Red Bus
SYMBOLS OF GREAT BRITAIN DESCRIPTION In these activities, students learn about the various symbols typically associated with London and Great Britain. They discuss their own responses to the symbols and explore design elements and features including colours, shapes, lines and create their own drawings.
These cross-curriculum activities contribute to the achievement of the following:
Creative and visual arts •
Selects, combines and manipulates images, shapes and forms using a range of skills, techniques and processes.
English •
Interprets and discusses some relationships between ideas, information and events in visual texts for general viewing.
SUGGESTED TIME approximately 10-20 minutes for each activity (this may be customised accordingly)
WHAT YOU NEED • • • • •
pictures of a Kangaroo, Australian flag, Uluru, Sydney Opera House, southern cross star constellation, boomerang and other associated photographs and illustrations. pictures of Union Jack, Royal Guardsmen and Red Double Decker Buses and other associated photographs and illustrations. Copies of Student handout paper paint, brushes, markers, crayons and other art materials
ACTIVITIES The following activities may be completed independently or combined as part of a more comprehensive learning sequence, lesson or educational program. Please refer to your own state or territory syllabus for more explicit guidelines.
Introducing symbols 1. Show the class a few pictures of a Kangaroo, Australian flag, Uluru, Sydney Opera House, southern cross star constellation, boomerang and other associated photographs and illustrations. Explain that these are symbols of Australia. 2. Show the class a few pictures of Union Jack, Royal Guardsmen and Red Double Decker Buses. Discuss any responses to the photographs. Brainstorm names and descriptions for the symbols, adding additional items as outlined in the following sample:
Red doubledecker bus
Red telephone box
Red post boxes
Big Ben
Afternoon tea
Royal guardsmen Royal family
Symbols of Great Britain
Union Jack
London policeman (“Bobby”)
3. Discuss where and when these symbols are likely to be found. Explain that the objects, people and flags depicted in the photographs are symbols of Great Britain and are often used on souvenirs for tourists or during events such as a concert or showcase. One such event is the Opening Ceremony for London 2012.
Distribute art material and work with the class to create drawing of one or more of the symbols. Add a member of the Australian Olympic Team to your drawing. Display student artworks around the classroom.
REFLECT ON a.s.p.i.r.e. VALUES
Discuss how painting, drawing and creating art allows you to express yourself. How does a symbol help a country or nation to express itself? What are some situations where the Australian Olympic Team might express themselves?
EXPLORE A LITTLE FURTHER • • • • • • •
Develop additional drawing for Australian symbols and display on the classroom wall. Use the symbols of Great Britain in a class play or performance. Invent a simple play or drama for some characters who travel on a London doubledecker bus, meet a police officer (“Bobby”) or visit Big Ben. Research floral emblems of Great Britain including shamrock, thistle, rose and leek. Collect photos and illustrations of different types of symbols for other countries and nations that are competing at London 2012. Research artworks and cultural events in which the symbols of Great Britain are used. Explore more photos of London at http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=london
STUDENT HANDOUT
London Underground (train)
Big Ben
Queen’s Guard
Tower Bridge “London Bridge”
Union Jack (flag)
Horse Guard
Red Bus
