Primary schools

From Early Stage 1 to 3

Primary schools

Primary schools

Early Stage 1 to Stage 3

Our primary learning programs are designed to connect students and teachers to the extraordinary collections held by the State Library. They can be enjoyed onsite, online and across NSW.

All learning experiences are linked to the NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum and are designed to inspire curiosity, invite conversation and encourage creative responses.

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Incredibilia

In this immersive theatre experience, extraordinary objects are brought to life using music, song and puppetry!

Drawing of a girl reading a book with books flying in the air

Lit up! Stories behind the stories

A full-day conference for primary and secondary teacher librarians, children’s librarians and teachers.

Learning activity
A family having a picnic in the Rocks with Sydney Habour Bridge in the background

Sydney Harbour Bridge: The past in the present

Stage 1
History

Students explore the Sydney Harbour Bridge through time and reflect on the importance of historic places. 

First Fleet learning activities

This comprehensive unit of work covers the journey of the First Fleet, the early days of the colony, Aboriginal perspectives, and profiles of two little-known convict women. The 13 learning activities provide a one-stop shop for your Stage 2 study of First Contacts.

View the learning activities

Showing 117 results
Learning activity

Talkin’ like a convict

Stage 2
History
Students study the unique language used by First Fleet convicts in the early days of the colony.
Virtual excursion
Boy uses laptop in gallery

Virtual excursion for your class only

Stage 2
Stage 3
English
History

Arrange an exclusive learning experience for your students.

Virtual excursion
young child wearing headphones

Storytime online

Early Stage 1
Stage 1
English

Featuring some of Australia’s greatest picture book authors and illustrators, these virtual sessions bring them into your classrooms.

Virtual excursion
Map with island in shape of a pig

Magical story maps

Stage 2
Stage 3
English

Put the ‘creative’ back into creative writing — turn a blank piece of paper into a map of a magical land! 

Virtual excursion
Drawing of bushland

Exploring our environment

Stage 2
Geography

Take a walk with us and investigate our land’s unique geography.  

Learning activity

Unfurling the First Fleet: introduction

Stage 2
History
An introduction to the learning activities exploring the First Fleet, using the Library's unrivalled collection.
Learning activity

Challenges to convict survival

Stage 2
History
Students explore the difficulties of survival for First Fleet convicts. 
Learning activity
Woman holding sepia photograph

Sydney elders: oral histories

Stage 3
History
Students will examine oral histories as important and valuable sources to find out about the past and form an understanding of the contributions made by Aboriginal elders.

Learning programs

graphic image of young people painting, writing and drawing
Atlas program

Join Atlas to participate in online clubs for artmaking, writing and reading, as well as special events and activities.  

Visit the Atlas website
incredibilia 500x500 small
Incredibilia

Inspired by children’s author Libby Hathorn, this immersive theatre experience brings to life extraordinary objects using music, song and puppetry!

Visit the Incredibilia website
Imagine_Banner
Imagine. The Wonder of Picture Books

Discover the inspiration and creative process behind the finished product and learn how to ‘look closely’ and uncover the hidden meaning in the illustrations. 

Visit the Imagine website

Onsite excursion: before you visit

Plan your visit

make a booking enquiry

Venue and safety information for school excursion

Bus subsidy program: The Library offers K-12 school students from DET schools in the Greater Sydney region, access to FREE bus travel to visit the Library 

School students | What should I know before I visit?

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