Citizenship learning in the context of an aspect of Australian history

Acknowledgement to Country

When integrating the study of Civics and Citizenship through History we are providing your child with opportunities to engage in a rich learning sequence that develops historical understanding and thinking skills. The Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) (2016) emphasise the importance of all children acquiring knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the past as well as developing interest in, and enjoyment of, historical study for lifelong learning. Students in Year 4 will engage in Citizenship learning through researching what life was like for the Indigenous people in Tasmania prior to European settlement. Students are to explore the contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People made in Tasmania as well as develop an awareness of the significant roles Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander people made to society. In their inquiry your child will also be asked to research one area of traditional Aboriginal culture. 

Figure 1- Hobart in 1825

Image retrieved from http://www.utas.edu.au/library/exhibitions/quintus/vdl.html

Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures will allow your child to develop respect for diversity and understanding of cultural difference (ACHASSK083) (ACARA, 2016). It is so important for students to become aware of and embed in their thinking, the unique place that that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures hold in Australia today. Having an awareness of this rich history provides all students with well-rounded knowledge of not only Tasmania’s, but Australia’s history (Dudgeon, Wright, Paradies, Garvey, & Walker, 2010). We want your children to appreciate that Indigenous culture has roots deep in the past, and by focusing on this aspect of Australian history we aim to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Students will be introduced to the topic of Indigenous History by going on an excursion to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation in Hobart where they will meet Aboriginal elders and participate in traditional Aboriginal totems. On their return to school, working in groups, your child will further research Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history in Tasmania as well as investigate one area of traditional Aboriginal culture. Students are to create a PowerPoint presentation that will later be presented to the class in their groups. Creating experiences where your child is given opportunities to work in groups allows them to become active participates in their learning through collaborating with their peers which has profound benefits in helping them articulate their ideas, refine concepts and develop interpersonal and communication skills (Marsh, 2008). 

Figure 2, 3 & 4 - Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation

Images retrieved from http://tacinc.com.au/

Parent / carer involvement in their child's school can contribute to improved student learning, health and wellbeing therefore we would love to invite you to join the class on their visit to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation. We hope this provides you with an understanding of what your child is currently learning and therefore will be able to further support and encourage learning at home. 

Figure 5 - Links to the Australian Curriculum

References

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2016, December 16). The Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences. (Version 8.3), all year levels, all curriculum elements, all curriculum dimensions. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/download/f10

Dudgeon, P., Wright, M., Paradies, Y., Garvey, D., & Walker, W. (2010). The Social, Cultural and Historical Context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Retrieved from http://aboriginal.telethonkids.org.au/media/54859/part_1_chapter3.pdf 

Marsh, C. (2008). Becoming a teacher: Knowledge, skills and issues (4th ed.). Frenchs   Forest, NSW: Pearson Education.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation. (n.d). [Photographs]. Retrieved from http://tacinc.com.au/ 

University of Tasmania. (n.d). Van Diemen’s Land [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.utas.edu.au/library/exhibitions/quintus/vdl.html