Impact of Frontier Wars

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 12
Subject Area: Australian History
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Curriculum Reference: Senior Secondary Australian Curriculum: History - Depth study on significant events, ideas, movements, and people. This lesson is linked to the impact of the Frontier Wars on both European settlers and First Nations people.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the historical context and key events of the Frontier Wars in Australia.
2. Analyse the impact of these conflicts on both European settlers and First Nations people, developing an awareness of differing perspectives.
3. Reflect on the long-term consequences of the Frontier Wars on Australian society.

Materials

• Interactive whiteboard or projector
• Handouts on key events and figures of the Frontier Wars
• Maps of Australia highlighting conflict areas
• Case study examples (provided in student folders)
• Access to video clips or digital oral histories (offline resources)

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Brief Overview: Begin with a short introduction to the Frontier Wars, emphasizing their significance in Australian history and the contested nature of this historical period.

2. Class Brainstorm: Ask students to share what they know about the Frontier Wars and its impact on the involved communities. Write their ideas on the board to create a visual map of pre-existing knowledge.

Main Body (40 minutes)

Part 1: Historical Context and Key Events (15 minutes)

• Interactive Lecture: Present an overview of the key events of the Frontier Wars using maps and timelines. Cover major conflicts such as the Black War in Tasmania, the Myall Creek Massacre, and the Bathurst War. Highlight differing accounts from European settlers and First Nations communities.

• Group Discussion: Divide the class into two groups: one representing European settlers and the other representing First Nations people. Distribute handouts summarising key points and allow each group to discuss their assigned perspective, using case studies to guide their analysis.

Part 2: Impact Analysis (15 minutes)

• Role Play Activity: Have each group present their perspective through a brief role-play scenario, illustrating the impacts of the Frontier Wars on their assigned community. Encourage creativity and empathic engagement with historical figures or events.

• Facilitated Discussion: Post role-play, lead a class discussion focused on the contrasting impacts, drawing out themes such as loss of land, population decline, cultural disruption, and resilience. Ask students to consider longer-term implications on today’s society.

Part 3: Reflection and Consequences (10 minutes)

• Reflective Journal: Provide time for students to write a brief reflective journal entry in response to the question: "What does the history of the Frontier Wars tell us about reconciliation and relationships between different communities in Australia today?"

• Class Discussion: Invite volunteers to share their reflections, fostering a respectful and open dialogue about how to acknowledge and address the historical legacy of these conflicts.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

• Summarise Key Points: Recap the key historical events discussed and summarize the differing impacts on European settlers and First Nations people. Emphasize the importance of understanding multiple perspectives in history.

• Exit Ticket: Ask each student to write down one question they still have about the Frontier Wars or a connection they can make to modern Australia. Collect these as they leave to inform future lessons.

Assessment

• Participation in discussions and activities
• Quality of reflections in journal entries
• Engagement and depth of understanding demonstrated in role-plays

By framing the lesson in an interactive and reflective manner, this plan is designed to engage Year 12 students in a deeper understanding of the Frontier Wars, promoting critical thinking and empathy for historical perspectives.