This document provides information about Easter traditions in Australia and the Easter story. It discusses how Easter is Australia's longest public holiday spanning Good Friday through Easter Monday. It notes Australia's Judeo-Christian heritage has influenced many of its laws, values and holidays. The Easter story is then summarized as commemorating the life of Jesus Christ who lived 2000 years ago as a Jew. Some Easter symbols are presented without explanations, inviting the reader to think about their meanings which could include hope, forgiveness and new life.

1. EASTER
in Australia
K-3

2. RELEVANT AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM*: HUMANITIES
FOUNDATION
Distinguish between the past, present and future (ACHHS016)
Pose questions about the past using sources provided (ACHHS017)
Explore a point of view (ACHHS020)
How they, their family and friends commemorate past events that are important to them (e.g. birthdays, religious
festivals, family reunions, community commemorations) (ACHHK003)
YEAR 1
How the present, past and future are signified by terms indicating time (e.g. 'a long time ago'; 'then and now'; 'now and
then'; 'old and new'; 'tomorrow') as well as by dates and changes that may have personal significance (e.g. birthdays,
holidays, celebrations, seasons) (ACHHK029)
YEAR 2
The history of a significant person, building, site or part of the natural environment in the local community and what it
reveals about the past (ACHHK044)
YEAR 3
Days and weeks celebrated or commemorated in Australia (including Australia Day, Harmony Week, ANZAC Day,
NAIDOC week) and the importance of symbols and emblems (ACHHK063)
The historical origins and significance of celebrations and commemorations in other places around the world (e.g.
Bastille Day in France, Independence Day in the USA; and those observed in Australia, such as Chinese New Year,
Christmas Day, Diwali, Easter, Hanukkah, the Moon Festival, Ramadan) (ACHHK064)

3. Easter is our longest
public holiday ! It begins
on Good Friday and
finishes on Easter
Monday or Tuesday.

4. The word holiday comes
from the old English
word, hāligdæg, which
meant 'holy day'.

5. Australia has a
Judeo-Christian
heritage.

6. This means many of
our laws, values and
holidays have come
from the Jewish and
Christian faiths.

7. The Easter story is
about a man, Jesus,
who lived 2000 years
ago. He was a Jew.

8. At Easter time we
remember the life
of Jesus.

9. The
EASTER
Story

10. Here are some symbols of
Easter. What do you think
they mean?

12. Some ideas ...
hope, forgiveness, new life

13. Happy
EASTER
to you!
Go easy on the chocolate

15. Mastery Learning Group creates educational tools to
assist Australian teachers to meet the differentiated
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Mastery Learning Group