Using This Resource

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this resource contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive, including the records of people who have passed away.

This resource is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: HASS for Year 6 students. It adopts an inquiry learning approach that develops students’ skills as historians. The resource engages students with a rich selection of historical sources and challenges them to draw their own conclusions about the development of Australia as a nation. It focuses on Australian sentiment leading up to Federation, the process of creating Australia’s constitution, and two notable experiences of democracy and citizenship. The resource also highlights the contributions of individuals to the arts and sport, as the nation developed as a society.

The resource gives teachers flexibility. Introductory and concluding activities are provided to focus students on the broad concepts explored in Year 6. The highlight of the resource is the selection of sources from the National Library of Australia’s Treasures Gallery. Each of the seven key sources introduces a theme. The student activities that support the sources cater for a variety of classroom contexts and learning styles. Teachers can explore all seven themes, or choose specific themes to meet their teaching and learning objectives.