Places we belong

01 June 2026

Help students explore the places where people meet, how those spaces are used, and how rules, responsibilities and decision-making can shape participation in those places.

The activities in this resource help build student understanding of places, and how they are shaped by a variety of factors including physical characteristics, shared rules, expectations and access, to create a sense of belonging.

Download Places we belong
 

Through the activities, students explore:

  • the difference between a space and place
  • the meanings of identity, belonging and community
  • the difference between formal and informal places
  • the difference between explicit and implicit rules

The activities also encourage students to reflect on their schools and communities, and identify places where they feel like they belong.

On the steps: Celebration, protests and commemoration

The On the steps: Celebration, protests and commemoration is a case study that explores different ways the same spaces may be used by different people. The space and events focus on the steps of Parliament House and look at how it has historically being used as a place for people to gather in celebration, protest and commemoration. The teacher guide includes some explanations and activities based on the events, while the side deck includes photos of the same events.

Download On the steps teacher guide
 
Download Scenes from the steps

 

 

Classroom connections

The Places we belong teacher guide can be used across multiple levels to explore concepts of community, identity and belonging, as well as implicit and explicit rules.

Grades 3 & 4

Exploring places in the community students can develop an understadning of how and why decisions are made democratically in communitieis (VC2HC4K02) and the roles of local government and how members of the community use and contribute to local services (VC2HC4K03). Students can also learn about the diversity of cultural, religious and/or social groups to which they and others in teh community belong, and the importance of these groups to people's identityt (VC2HC4k06) and why people participate within communities and how students can actively participate and contribute to communitie (VC2HC4K07).

Students can also explore the difference between rules and laws, why laws are important and how they affect the lives of people (VC2HC4K04) and the rights and responsibilities of people in their communities (VC2HC4K05). 

Grades 5 & 6

At Grades 5 & 6 students the Places we belong can help students to explore the roles and responisbilities of the three levels of government at a local level (VC2HC6K03), and how citizens (members of communities) work together to achieve a civic goal (VC2HC6K08). explore the different levels of government and the roles and responsibilities of the different levels of government (VCCCG009). 

Related resources

Three levels of government flashcards

This resource explores which level of government is responsible for particular services and issues, and therefore consider which level of government they could contact or direct their actions towards.

 

Exploring local government

This article includes some questions, activities and resources that can be used to explore your local government. It includes everything from locating your council and finding out about your local councillors to what your council is responsible for and how your council compares to other 'like' councils in your area.