History 3-4

Community and First contacts

In Levels 3 and 4, students explore the history and diversity of their community and the celebrations and commemorations, symbols and emblems important to Australians and others. They are introduced to world history and movement of peoples. Beginning with the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, students examine European exploration and colonisation...

Community and First contacts:

In Levels 3 and 4, students explore the history and diversity of their community and the celebrations and commemorations, symbols and emblems important to Australians and others. They are introduced to world history and movement of peoples. Beginning with the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, students examine European exploration and colonisation in Australia and throughout the world up to the early 1800s. Students examine the impact of exploration on other societies, how these societies interacted with newcomers, and how these experiences contributed to their cultural diversity.

In this band, students will apply the following historical concepts and skills to the historical knowledge: sequencing chronology, using historical sources as evidence, identifying continuity and change, analysing causes and effect and determining historical significance.

Key questions:

• Who lived here first and how do we know?
• How has our community changed? What features have been lost and what features have been retained?
• What is the nature of the contribution made by different groups and individuals in the community?
• How and why do people choose to remember significant events of the past?
• 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?