History Level 4 (Years 5 and 6)
Learning focus
As students work towards the achievement of Level 4 standards in History, they develop an understanding of change and continuity over time through the history of the establishment and growth of Australia. They learn about the organisation and lifestyle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the past, the impact of European settlement and as enduring cultures today. They learn about the significance of key events, such as European settlement, the establishment of the colonies, the development of the wool industry, the gold rushes, the moves to self-government, Federation and World War I. They learn about key people in Australia’s history (for example, James Cook, Caroline Chisholm, Edmund Barton, Vida Goldstein, William Barak) who have brought about change. Through structured activities they explore links and comparisons with contemporary Australia.
Students develop an understanding of the histories of the cultural groups which have contributed to the Australian identity. This could include some history of source countries for Australian immigration such as Italy, Greece, Poland, Sudan, Ireland, Chile or Vietnam. They explore the concepts of nation, culture and identity in both Australian and regional contexts, and learn that identity is complex, multifaceted and evolving.
Students apply their understanding of culture by investigating the history of an Asian country or countries in the Australian region such as Indonesia, East Timor, India, China and Japan. They consider how other societies are organised, how they express their beliefs and make meaning of their world. They investigate significant people and events in that country’s recent history and learn about daily life, religious traditions, customs and governance. They learn about links between other countries and Australia, develop ideas about Eastern and Western traditions, and about the values that are important to other societies and their own.
Students use a range of written, visual, oral and electronic sources to study the past. With support, they frame research questions and plan their own inquiries using historical language and concepts such as time, sequence, chronology, continuity, change, culture and, tradition. They begin to question sources and make judgments about the viewpoints being expressed, the completeness of the evidence, and the values represented. They learn to develop explanations in a range of forms such as timelines, oral presentations, posters, multimedia presentations, reports and narratives.
National Statements of Learning
This Learning focus statement incorporates aspects of the National Statements of Learning for Civics and Citizenship, Year 5.
Standards
Historical knowledge and understanding
At Level 4, students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of significant events in Australian history including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, European settlement, the development of the colonies, the development of the wool industry, the 1850s gold rushes; the moves to self-government, Federation; and World War I. They demonstrate an understanding of the histories of some cultural groups which make up Australia today. They make links and appropriate comparisons with contemporary Australia.
Students demonstrate an understanding of key aspects of an Asian country or countries within the Australian region. They explain significant events and people in the history of that country or countries. They describe aspects of governance, customs, religious traditions and daily life. They explain the values important to other societies and their own and links between other countries and Australia.
They compare and contrast the values and beliefs of Australians and people of other cultures. They compare aspects of different cultures and countries, in both the past and present, and ask questions about their own society. They sequence events and describe their significance in bringing about particular developments.
Historical reasoning and interpretation
At Level 4, students use a range of primary and secondary sources to investigate the past. With support, they frame research questions and plan their own inquiries. They comprehend and question sources and make judgments about the views being expressed, the completeness of the evidence, and the values represented. They use appropriate historical language and concepts to develop historical explanations. They present their understandings in a range of forms.
Downloads
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The Humanities − History booklet (
PDF - 131KB) - The Humanities − History standards table (Doc - 40KB)
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Victorian Essential Learning Standards Level 4 ( PDF - 751KB)
