Lesson Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for Year 5 students to explore significant Australians since Federation and understand their contributions to Australian society and culture. It aligns with the NSW History K-10 Syllabus within the Humanities and Social Sciences learning area and focuses on developing students' research and critical thinking skills, fostering respect and appreciation for notable individuals shaping Australia's identity.

Curriculum Alignment

NSW History K-10 Syllabus Outcomes:

• HT5-2: Describes the significance of individuals and groups who have influenced Australian society since Federation.
• HT5-4: Identifies and describes different perspectives on a familiar historical issue.
• HT5-5: Uses a range of sources to locate and obtain information about a specific historical topic.

This lesson supports the achievement of the above outcomes and broader HASS skills such as inquiry, evaluation of sources, and communicating historical understanding.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Identify at least three noteworthy Australians since Federation and describe their key contributions.
• Use research skills to locate and gather relevant information from multiple sources.
• Discuss how these individuals have influenced Australian society and culture.
• Present findings clearly, using appropriate historical terms and concepts.

Materials Required

• Printed biography sheets or digital devices with curated Australian biography resources.
• Research template worksheets.
• Large paper or poster board for group presentations.
• Markers, coloured pencils.
• Projector or whiteboard for teacher-led discussions.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Context Setting (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief recap of Federation and why this era is significant in Australian history.
• Introduce the focus: notable Australians who have made important contributions since Federation.
• Engage students with a short brainstorming question: "Who are some Australians you know or have heard about who have helped change our country?"
• Note answers on the board for initial reflection.

Teaching Tip: Connect to local or well-known figures to spark interest.

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2. Research Activity (25 minutes)

Activity:

• Divide the class into 6 groups of 5 students.
• Assign each group one or two significant Australians post-Federation from a prepared list, ensuring diversity in fields (e.g., politics, sports, arts, science, Indigenous leaders).

Examples of Australians to include:

• Sir Douglas Nicholls (Indigenous leader and governor)

• Edith Cowan (first woman elected to an Australian parliament)

• Don Bradman (cricket legend)

• Dr. Fiona Wood (medical pioneer)

• Cathy Freeman (Olympic athlete)

• Banjo Paterson (poet and writer)

• Each group uses printed materials or supervised digital resources to research their individual(s).

• Complete a research worksheet capturing:

• Name and lifespan

• Their main achievements and contributions

• How they have influenced Australian society or culture

Differentiation: Provide scaffolded worksheets with sentence starters for students needing extra support.

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3. Group Presentation and Discussion (15 minutes)

• Each group shares their findings with the class in a 2-3 minute presentation.
• Encourage students to use historical vocabulary (e.g., contribution, society, culture, legacy).
• After all presentations, lead a class discussion:
• What similarities and differences exist between these individuals?
• How do their contributions reflect Australian values or identity?
• Why is it important to remember different kinds of contributions, including those from Indigenous Australians and women?

Extension: Invite students to think about who in their own community might be noteworthy.

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4. Reflection and Individual Task (10 minutes)

• Students individually write a short paragraph responding to the prompt:
• "Which Australian you learned about today do you find most inspiring and why?"
• Encourage use of historical terms and personal reflection.
• Collect responses as informal assessment of understanding.

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Assessment

• Observation of group research and collaboration.
• Accuracy and completeness of research worksheets.
• Quality and clarity of group presentations.
• Individual reflection paragraphs demonstrating understanding of the individual’s significance and contribution.

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Teacher Notes and Tips

• Ensure resources are accessible and age-appropriate.
• Foster respectful discussion, particularly when considering diverse perspectives, including Indigenous Australians' contributions.
• Emphasise the connection between these historical figures and the students' experiences today.
• Use questioning to deepen students' historical thinking and inquiry skills.

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Historical Skills Developed

• Questioning and Research: locating and selecting information about people and events.
• Analysis: describing contributions and their effects.
• Communication: presenting findings using historical language.
• Reflection: considering significance and personal response.

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Summary

This lesson engages students in active inquiry aligned with NSW History syllabus outcomes for Year 5. It provides a comprehensive exploration of noteworthy Australians since Federation, integrating research, collaboration, and reflection to build historical understanding and appreciation.

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Lesson Timing Summary

Activity	Time (minutes)
Introduction & Context Setting	10
Group Research Activity	25
Presentations & Discussion	15
Individual Reflection & Wrap-up	10

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This lesson plan ensures a balanced approach that supports both content knowledge and historical skills development consistent with NSW curriculum expectations for Year 5 History in the unit "Australia’s Journey to Federation".