Contact and Colonisation

Overview

Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Year Level: Year 8
Subject: History within the Australian Curriculum
Curriculum Area: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) - History
Key Topic: Contact between Indigenous Peoples and Colonisers: Case Study of the Sioux People

Learning Objectives

• Understand the nature and impact of colonisation on the Sioux people.
• Describe key aspects of contact between the Sioux and European-American colonisers.
• Draw connections between historical events in North America and similar historical contexts in Australian history.

Curriculum Links

Australian History:

• Students develop an understanding of the role of individuals and groups in shaping history.
• Explore perspectives, empathy and cultural understanding through historical inquiry and skills.

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome and Expectations:

   • Briefly outline the lesson goal: exploring the contact experience of the Sioux people.
   • Discuss the importance of understanding different perspectives in history, linking to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories in the Australian context.

2. Engage the Students:

   • Pose an open question: "What do you know about the Sioux people and colonisation?"
   • Present a short animated video or a series of images depicting life before and after colonisation for the Sioux.

Main Activity (40 minutes)

Part 1: Group Work and Research (20 minutes)

• Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students.
  Each group will focus on one key aspect of contact:

  1. Cultural Changes: Examine the shifts in Sioux culture post-contact.
  2. Land and Resources: Explore the impact of land disputes and resource allocation.
  3. Conflict and Resistance: Look into specific conflicts, such as the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
  4. Treaties and Policies: Analyse significant treaties and their effects on the Sioux people.

• Resources:
  Provide access to printed materials summarising these aspects, including primary source excerpts and visual aids.

• Task:
  Groups will read their assigned materials, identify key points, and prepare a brief presentation.

Part 2: Presentations and Discussion (20 minutes)

• Group Presentations (15 minutes):
  Each group presents their findings. Encourage peer questioning and input.

• Class Discussion (5 minutes):
  Prompt students to reflect on similarities to Australia's First Peoples' experiences.
  Ask: "What parallels can we draw between the Sioux experience and that of Indigenous Australians during colonisation?"

Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Recap Key Points:

   • Summarise the main aspects of contact and their broader historical implications.

2. Reflective Activity:

   • Quick Write: Have students spend 5 minutes writing a reflection on what they have learned, focusing on any new perspectives or understandings gained during the lesson.

3. Homework/Extension Activity:

   • Research a specific event or policy related to the Sioux that influenced their relationship with colonisers. Prepare to share findings in the next class.

Assessment

• Informal: Participation in group discussions and presentations.
• Formal: Collect and review quick write reflections for comprehension and insight into the lesson.

Resources Needed

• Video or image presentation tools
• Printed copies of research materials
• Whiteboard and markers for group presentation summaries

This lesson plan invites students to engage with the past meaningfully, drawing connections across cultures and continents, and encourages critical thinking around the concept of colonisation.