Colonisation in Focus

Lesson Overview

This lesson is designed for Year 8 students studying Australian Curriculum: History. Students will explore the processes and reasons behind the colonisation of North America, drawing connections to broader themes in world history. Emphasis will be on critical thinking, historical inquiry, and understanding the impact of historical events.

Curriculum Area: Year 7-10 Australian Curriculum: History
Curriculum Level: Year 8
Duration: 60 minutes
Students: 27

Learning Objectives

• Understand the key factors that led to the colonisation of North America.
• Analyse the motivations behind exploration and settlement.
• Discuss the impact of European colonisation on Indigenous populations.
• Develop skills in historical inquiry and perspective-taking.

Resources Required

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and screen
• Printed handouts with primary and secondary sources
• Interactive timeline tool (physical or digital)
• Access to library resources or digital history databases

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Hook: Show an engaging short clip or animation about early North American exploration. This should provide visual context and spark interest.
• Discussion: Initiate a class discussion by asking students what they know about European explorers. Write down key points on the whiteboard.
• Objective Explanation: Clearly state the lesson objectives and provide an overview of how today's session will help achieve them.

Main Activities

Activity 1: Exploring Motives (15 minutes)

• Group Work: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will explore a different driving factor of colonisation (e.g. economic gain, religious freedom, expansion of empires).
• Resource Review: Groups will use printed handouts containing excerpts from explorers' logs and royal charters to identify motives.
• Presentation: Each group discusses their findings and adds notes to a shared class chart on the board.

Activity 2: The Impact of Colonisation (15 minutes)

• Interactive Timeline: Using a physical or digital timeline, students will place key events of North American colonisation, including initial contacts and significant milestones.
• Cause and Effect Analysis: Assign students to create a flowchart detailing the impact of these events, focusing on their effect on Indigenous populations and the environment. Encourage creative thinking by allowing students to use drawings or symbols.

Activity 3: The Indigenous Perspective (15 minutes)

• Perspective Taking: Read an excerpt from the perspective of Indigenous Peoples of North America, discussing their experiences during colonisation.
• Class Debate: Host a debate on the differing perspectives of colonisers and Indigenous peoples, promoting empathy and deeper understanding.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Reflection: Ask students to reflect in pairs on what they've learned and how historical events like these shape the present.
• Exit Ticket: Each student writes one question they have about colonisation or a connection they see to Australian history. Collect these as they leave to gauge understanding and interest.

Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Monitor group discussions and participation, offering feedback to ensure objectives are being met.
• Summative Assessment: Evaluate students' flowcharts, discussion contributions, and their understanding from exit tickets to inform future lessons.

Differentiation

• For Advanced Learners: Encourage the use of digital history databases for deeper inquiry and allow opportunities to lead parts of the discussion.
• For Diverse Learners: Provide graphic organisers and vocabulary sheets to aid comprehension. Pair students strategically to provide peer support.

This lesson leverages inquiry-based learning and interactive materials to engage students, adhering to the Australian Curriculum standards for understanding historical knowledge and inquiry skills. It ensures students not only learn but also critically engage with historical content, fostering informed and active citizenship.