History
Concepts for developing understanding
The content in the history sub-strand provides opportunities for students to develop historical understanding through key concepts including sources, continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, empathy and significance. The Year 4 curriculum introduces world history and the movement of peoples. Students study the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, their connection to place (sources, perspectives, significance) and their contact with other societies (change and continuity, perspectives, empathy). Through a study of navigation, exploration and/or trade (sources), students come to learn about Australia's early colonisation and develop understandings about contact between societies (continuity and change, cause and effect) and its effects on people and their environments (perspectives, empathy).
Inquiry Questions
- Why did the great journeys of exploration occur?
- What was life like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples before the arrival of the Europeans?
- Why did the Europeans settle in Australia?
- What was the nature and consequence of contact between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and early traders, explorers and settlers?
(source: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au)
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The Natural Environment of Africa - Inquiry Task
An inquiry task focusing on the natural environment of the grasslands of Africa.
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The Natural Environment of South America — Inquiry Task
An inquiry task focusing on the natural environment of the Amazon rainforest in South America.
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Fifteenth Century Chinese Ship - Model Building Activity
A 15th-Century Chinese model ship building task to create in the classroom when learning about Chinese explorers.
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Original Inhabitants of Australia Word Wall
A vocabulary word wall to display and use in the classroom when learning about the original inhabitants of Australia.
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Commonwealth Games Timeline Activity
A template and classroom display banner to create a Commonwealth Games Timeline.
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Waste Management Investigation - How Much Waste Do We Throw Away?
A practical investigation related to sustainable waste management.
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British Colonisation of Australia - Teaching Resource Pack
A resource pack containing a range of posters, worksheets and activities to use in your classroom when teaching a unit of work on the British Colonisation of Australia.
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NAIDOC Week Teaching Resource Pack
An extensive collection of teaching resources to use during NAIDOC Week.
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The First Fleet and the British Colonisation of Australia Unit Plan
This History unit covers a range of concepts relating to the stories of the First Fleet; including reasons for the journey, who travelled to Australia, their experiences following arrival and the impact colonisation had on Indigenous Australians.
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Celebrations Around The World Unit Plan
This Humanities and Social Sciences unit addresses the topic of celebrations. It covers personal, family and community celebrations; national days; Australia-specific commemorations and religious/cultural celebrations from around the world.
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Australia's First People Unit Plan
This History unit covers a range of concepts relating to the diversity of Australia's first people and the long and continuous connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.
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Sustaining Our World Unit Plan
This Geography unit addresses concepts surrounding the sustainable use and management of natural resources.
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The Age of Exploration, Discovery and Expansion Unit Plan
This History unit covers a range of concepts relating to the early explorers of the Age of Exploration and the 'discovery' of Australia.
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First Fleet Assessment Task
An inquiry-based assessment task in which students will demonstrate an understanding of the people impacted by the arrival of the First Fleet.
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Our Place - Australia Unit Plan
This Humanities and Social Sciences unit addresses a range of concepts relating to the natural and human features of Australia.
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An Introduction to Aboriginal Art Unit Plan
This Visual Arts unit addresses the history of Aboriginal art in Australia and the variety of techniques used in different artworks.
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Impact of Colonisation on Australia's First Peoples
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the impact a British colony had on the First Nations people of Australia.
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Aboriginal Dot Painting
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the history and traditional techniques of Aboriginal dot painting.
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Life in Britain During the 1700s
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate life in Britain during the late 1700s.
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Early Explorers Assessment Task
An inquiry-based assessment task in which students will demonstrate an understanding of the Age of Exploration and how the journeys of explorers impacted upon other societies.
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The Importance of Environments Unit Plan
This Geography unit addresses the importance of environments to animals and people and the ways in which they can be protected.
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Applying Aboriginal Art Techniques - Assessment Task
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate their understanding of Aboriginal art techniques.
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An Expanding Colony
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the struggles of the early colony and the reasons for expansion.
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Convict Life
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the life of a convict transported to Australia.
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James Cook and His Voyage to Australia
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate the significance of James Cook's voyage to Australia.
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An Introduction to Aboriginal Art
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the different types of Aboriginal art in Australia.
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The Original Inhabitants
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original inhabitants of Australia.
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Occupations and Sustainability in Technologies Unit Plan
This Technology unit has been designed to investigate the role that technology plays in occupations within the community. Additionally, it introduces and explores the concept of sustainability.
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The Continents of Africa and South America Unit Plan
This Geography unit addresses the topographical features and the natural environment of the continents of Africa and South America.
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How Much Waste Do We Throw Away?
An inquiry-based assessment task in which students will apply waste management strategies to reduce classroom waste.
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Sustainable Forestry
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate sustainable forestry practices.
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Sustainable Fishing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate sustainable fishing practices.