Power Struggles Unveiled

Lesson 1: Introduction to Power Struggles

Year Level

Year 11

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

10 students

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Lesson Description

In this introductory lesson, students will explore the concept of power within society, focusing on social, political, and economic structures. The class will discuss the significance of power struggles throughout history and introduce key terminology to establish a foundation for the unit "Power Struggles Unveiled."

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Australian Curriculum Alignment

Year Level: 11
Learning Area: Humanities and Social Sciences – History (Australian Curriculum v9)
Relevant Content and Achievement Standards:

• Historical Knowledge and Understanding
  Understand how social, political, and economic power struggles have shaped societies over time and their historical significance.
• Historical Skills
  • Develop historical questions and locate primary and secondary sources to explore concepts of power and power struggles.
  • Use historical terms and concepts accurately to describe and explain power dynamics.
• General Capabilities
  Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Define "power" and explain its different forms: social, political, and economic.
2. Identify key structures through which power is exercised in society.
3. Recognise the historical importance of power struggles in shaping societies.
4. Understand and use essential terms related to power and power struggles.
5. Develop initial historical inquiry questions related to power struggles.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details	Resources
0-10 min	Engage: What is Power?	- Begin with open-ended questions: "What is power? Where do you see power in your daily life?" - Create a mind map on the board listing students' ideas about power (social, political, economic).	Whiteboard & markers
10-20 min	Explore: Power in Society	- Present a brief overview of social, political, and economic power structures using relatable Australian examples. - Show images/examples such as government institutions, corporations, social groups.	Slide presentation, images
20-30 min	Explain: Historical Significance of Power Struggles	- Discuss the role of power struggles in changing societies. - Introduce historical examples (Australian and global context) where power struggles were pivotal (e.g., Indigenous rights movements, political reforms, economic depressions). - Introduce key terms: hegemony, resistance, inequality, authority, governance.	Handout with key terms & examples
30-45 min	Activity: Group Discussion and Concept Mapping	- Split students into small groups (2-3 per group). - Each group creates a concept map outlining how power struggles shape social, political, and economic spheres. - Groups share their concept maps briefly with the class.	Butcher paper, markers
45-55 min	Historical Inquiry Introduction	- Introduce the unit inquiry question: “How have power struggles shaped societies and identities?” - Guide students to develop two historical inquiry questions about power struggles they want to explore further.	Worksheet for inquiry questions
55-60 min	Reflection and Exit Ticket	- Individual reflection: Write a short response to the prompt “Why is understanding power struggles important in history?” - Collect responses as exit tickets.	Student notebooks or exit cards

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative Assessment:
  Observation during group activities and class discussions to assess understanding of power concepts.
• Exit Ticket:
  Students’ reflections on the importance of understanding power struggles will inform teacher understanding of each student’s grasp of the lesson's core ideas. This will help tailor future lessons.

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Differentiation & Inclusivity

• Encourage participation by prompting all students during discussions.
• Provide scaffolds for vocabulary (simple definitions on handouts).
• Allow students to express ideas via different formats during activities (e.g., drawing concept maps, verbal explanations).
• Support diverse learners with guided group roles and sentence starters for inquiry questions.

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Teacher Notes

• Emphasise the connection between understanding power and critical thinking about history and today’s society.
• Use Australian contexts wherever possible to maintain relevance.
• Encourage students to relate power struggles to societal issues they perceive, fostering engagement.
• Set cooperative, respectful group work habits from the outset for the unit.

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This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum's focus on developing historical understanding, inquiry skills, and critical engagement with historical concepts through active learning strategies designed for Year 11 Humanities students.

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Would you like me to prepare lesson plans for the subsequent lessons in the "Power Struggles Unveiled" unit?