Federation for Kids

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Unit Title: Exploring Australian History

Lesson: 6 of 15
Lesson Title: The Federation of Australia
Audience: Years 2–4 (Working at Foundation/Year 1 level)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 7 students
Curriculum Area: HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Year Level Indicator (adapted): v9.0 Foundation – Year 2 HASS
Strand: History
Sub-Strand: Continuity and Change
Content Description Code: ACHASSK064 (Year 2): The History of a Significant Development or Event – Federation – and Why It is Significant

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Learning Focus:

Introduce students to the concept of the Federation of Australia as the coming together of separate colonies (states) to form one country in 1901. We will focus on simple, visual and sensory elements to engage our ASD learners in a hands-on and floor-based setting.

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Learning Intention

We are learning what Australian Federation means and why it was important for our country.

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Success Criteria

Level	"I can..." Statement
Support Level (High Needs)	I can point to the Australian flag and listen to a story about the country becoming one.
Moderate Differentiation	I can match pictures with facts about Federation (like the states joining together).
Independent Level	I can explain in my own words why Australia became one country and share my poster with a friend.

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Preparation / Materials Needed

• Floor mat or rug for whole-group time
• Story visuals: Timeline cards (before federation/after federation)
• 6 large paper puzzle pieces (1 per state)
• Velcro dots, magnets or blue tack for puzzle assembly
• Pre-drawn blank maps of Australia x7
• Printed cut-outs of state names and flags
• Poster template: half A3 size – space to draw, write, and glue
• Glue sticks, coloured pencils/crayons, sequential visual prompts
• Mini Australian flag props or paper copies
• Calm background music (soft instrumental, optional)

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Lesson Structure

Warm-up (5 mins) – ‘I Do’

Objective: Activate prior knowledge and introduce the story of Federation
Method: Highly visual, storytelling, inclusive language

• Gather students on the floor. Use simple story visuals with magnetic timeline cards.
• Present the idea of “before Federation”: show 6 separate colony puzzle pieces (“6 different places”).
• Use engaging dialogue: “A long time ago, Australia wasn’t one big country – it was six little colonies!”
• Place the pieces far apart on the floor, playfully show them not ‘working together’.
• Introduce Federation with a mini drama: “In 1901, they decided… let’s become one family!”
• Bring the pieces together one by one and build the Australia map puzzle together using Velcro/Magnets.
• Celebrate with a little cheer: “And that’s how Australia became one country!”
• Hold Australia flag and chant together: “One country, together!”

🎶 Optional: Play gentle instrumental Australian folk tune in the background for sensory regulation.

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Guided Practice (10 mins) – ‘We Do’

Objective: Practice identifying key facts about Federation

Activity: Matching Game – “What’s the Same?”
Students are paired up (teacher assigns pairs for balance). Each pair gets:

• A simplified map of Australia
• Cut-out state names
• Cut-out state flags
• A mini-matching mat with “Before” and “After” sections

Instructions (visual prompts provided):

• Match state names to their place on the map (teacher or SLSO assists).
• Match flag cut-outs and talk briefly about how they are part of a “team” now.
• Teacher models the idea with one pair, verbalising steps.

Teacher walks around scaffolding understanding through prompting questions such as:

• “What did this state do in 1901?"
• “How did our country change?”

Pairs are encouraged to share their ideas orally or by pointing.

Use affirming language:

• “That’s right! Victoria joined the team!”
• “You matched New South Wales – great job being a history detective!”

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Independent Practice (10 mins) – ‘You Do’

Objective: Create a simple and engaging poster that recognises Federation and its purpose.

Task: Create a “Federation Facts” Poster
Each student receives:

• A half-A3 poster page
• Glue, coloured images of states joining, Australian flag, key words (e.g. “1901”, “one country”, “together”)
• Visual steps card (visual checklist to follow; available in symbol-supported format)

Differentiation:

• Support level: One-on-one adult assisted; focus on gluing images and saying or signing “together”.
• Moderate needs: Use visuals to scaffold. Student places each image in timeline order under adult prompting.
• Independent learners: Draw a picture of Australia coming together and write “In 1901, we became one country!” with modelled writing support.

Students will share their posters with their partner or group (optional depending on regulation levels).

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Wrap-up (5 mins) – Reflection and Success Check

• Return to the group mat with their posters.
• Invite willing students to show their posters.
• Ask differentiated reflection questions:
  • “What did we learn today about Australia?”
  • “Who joined together in 1901?”
  • “Why was that important?”

Use thumbs up / thumbs to the side / down to self-assess learning for the day.

Display posters on a dedicated “History Wall” or send home for validation.

Provide positive feedback:

• “You were great historians today – you remembered how Australia became one team!”

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Extension Ideas (Optional/For Early Finishers)

• Use soft plush kangaroo or koala puppet to retell the story of Federation
• Laminate and use state puzzles in fine motor boxes as future task box activity
• Federation role-play corner with paper top hats and timeline signs

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Assessment Checklist (Anecdotal)

Student	Able to Identify "1901" as Federation Year	Matched at least 2 states to map	Created poster with guided support	Used oral or visual strategies to show understanding
Student 1	✅	✅	✅	✅
Student 2	✅	✅	➖	✅
…	…	…	…	…

Use this in end-of-unit portfolio or upload as evidence to learning management system for ACARA coverage.

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Teacher Tips

✔ Prepare visuals in advance and use key visuals on Velcro/magnetic board
✔ Invite support staff to assist individual students
✔ Allow opt-out of speaking parts – posters can speak for them
✔ Incorporate plenty of visuals for receptive language support

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Next Lesson Preview (Lesson 7): Symbols of Our Nation – exploring the Australian flag, coat of arms, and anthem.

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Let’s make history hands-on, visual, and inclusive for every learner 🌿🇦🇺