Colonisation Of Australia

Imagine you are a young historian travelling back in time to the late 1700's. You arrive in Australia just as the first Europeans are beginning to settle. But this land is not empty...it has been home to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for tens of thousands of years.

What happens when different groups of people meet? How does life change?

Your mission is to investigate what happened during the colonisation of Australia and understand the perspectives of the people involved.

You will work in a team of four to answer this big question:

 "How did colonisation change life in Australia for different groups of people?"

Each team member will take on one role:

• Explorer Reporter- Investigate explorers like James Cook
• First Fleet Historian- Study the arrival of the First Fleet
• Aboriginal Perspective Researcher- Explore how colonisation affected Indigenous Australians
• Convict Life Investigator- Learn about the lives on convicts sent to Australia

Final Product:

Your group will create one presentation (choose one):

• Poster
• Powerpoint/Slides
• Short Video
• Dramatic role-play

Your presentation must explain:

• What happened during colonisation
• Different perspectives (Indigenous Peoples, Europeans, convicts)
• The impact of these events

Step 1: Form your team

Work in groups of 4 and assign roles.

Step 2: Research your role

Each student answers:

• Who were the key people?
• What happened?
• Why did it happen?
• What changed because of it?

Step 3: Share your findings

Teach your group what you learned. Take notes from each other.

Step 4: Create your presentation

Include:

• Timetable of events
• At least 3 perspectives
• Images or visuals
• Clear explanation of impacts

Step 5: Present to class

Each group member must speak.

You will be graded on:

• Research- being detailed and accurate.
• Teamwork- how well you worked as a team.
• Presentation- clear, engaging, creative.
• Understanding- shows deep understanding.

Marks:

• Individual research: 25%
• Group presentation: 25%
• Final project: 50%

By completing this WebQuest, you will have explored and important part of Australia's history.

Think about this:

• How might people have felt during this time?
• Why is it important to learn about different perspectives?

History helps us understand the present and helps us understand what can shape a better future.

• Australian Curriculum F-10 V2
• ABC Education
• National Museum of Australia
• AIATSIS
• Classroom resources

Curriculum Links (Australian Curriculum):

• History: The Australian Colonies

• HASS F-6 – Year 5

• .https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/learning-areas/hass-f-6/year-5/content-description?subject-identifier=HASHASY5&content-description-code=AC9HS5K02&detailed-content-descriptions=0&hide-ccp=0&hide-gc=0&load-detailed-content-descriptions=null&side-by-side=1&strands-start-index=0&view=quick
• https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/learning-areas/hass-f-6/year-5/content-description?subject-identifier=HASHASY5&content-description-code=AC9HS5K03&detailed-content-descriptions=0&hide-ccp=0&hide-gc=0&load-detailed-content-descriptions=null&side-by-side=1&strands-start-index=0&view=quick
• https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/learning-areas/hass-f-6/year-5/content-description?subject-identifier=HASHASY5&content-description-code=AC9HS5S01&detailed-content-descriptions=0&hide-ccp=0&hide-gc=0&load-detailed-content-descriptions=null&side-by-side=1&strands-start-index=0&view=quick

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand key events of colonisation
• Explore multiple perspectives
• Develop research and collaboration skills