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Library tour for secondary students

Excursion Summary

Stage 4
Stage 5
Creative Arts
English
Geography
History
Duration: 
1 hour

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Explore Australia's oldest Library and the home of some of our greatest writers, playwrights, historians and thinkers. Be inspired by the Mitchell Reading room, the incredible artworks in the Paintings Gallery and the artefact filled Collectors Gallery. Delve into the fascinating stories behind the collections that have inspired generations of readers, writers, historians and learners. Tours can be tailored to address particular units of work.

Suggested themes:

  • Eight Determined Women: Where can you find eight determined women? On the walls of the State Library, of course. On this one hour tour you will view the painted portraits of these Australian women from colonial times to today. We will share with you the lives of a film maker, a politician, an artist and an activist - stories of friendship and intrigue. They are possibly not names you will recognise but they are definitely women you won't forget. 

Curriculum outcomes

English

  • EN4-1A responds to and composes texts for understanding, interpretation, critical analysis, imaginative expression and pleasure
  • EN4-5C thinks imaginatively, creatively,  interpretively and critically about information, ideas and arguments to respond to and compose texts

History

  • HT4-1 describes the nature of history and archaeology and explains their contribution to an understanding of the past
  • HT4-5 identifies the meaning, purpose and context of historical sources
  • HT4-6 uses evidence from sources to support historical narratives and explanations

Visual Arts

  • 4.7 explores aspects of practice in critical and historical interpretations of art
  • 4.8 explores the function of and relationships between the artist - artwork - world - audience
  • 4.9 begins to acknowledge that art can be interpreted from different points of view

Geography

  • GE4-3 explains how interactions and connections between people, places and environments result in change

English

  • EN5-1A responds to and composes increasingly sophisticated and sustained texts for understanding, interpretation, critical analysis, imaginative expression and pleasure
  • EN5-5C thinks imaginatively, creatively, interpretively and critically about information and increasingly complex ideas and arguments to respond to and compose texts in a range of contexts

History

  • HT5-1 explains and assesses the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia
  • HT5-5 identifies and evalyuates the usefulness of soures in the historical inquiry process
  • HT5-6 uses relevant evidence from sources to support historical narratives, explanations and analyses of the modern world and Australia

Visual Arts

  • 5.7 applies their understanding of aspects of practice to critical and historical interpretations of art
  • 5.8 uses their understanding of the function of and relationships between artist - artwork - world - audience in critical and historical interpretations of art
  • 5.9 demonstrates how the frames provide different interpretations of art

Geography

  • GE5-3 analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments

Before you visit

School students | What should I know before I visit?

The State Library of NSW sign
Caption on bottom

Booking Details

Cost

$6 per student

Availability

Monday - Friday during term time

Duration

1 hour

Minimum Supervision Ratio

Kindergarten – Year 2 - 1 adult per 5 students
Year 3 – Year 6 - 1 adult per 10 students
Secondary students - 1 adult per 20 students

Bookings are essential, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Email learning.library@sl.nsw.gov.au or phone 9273 1778.

Helpful hints to enjoy your excursion

These guidelines have been developed to assist students and teachers visiting the State Library of NSW to comply with the Department of Education risk assessment guidelines for excursions.

Bus subsidy program

Travel free by bus to the Library to participate in our onsite learning programs.