History k-10 Syllabus 2012

Stage statements

Stage statements are summaries of the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes that have been developed by students as a result of achieving the outcomes for each stage of learning.

Prior-to-school learning

Students bring to school a range of knowledge, understanding and skills developed in home and prior-to-school settings. The movement into Early Stage 1 should be seen as a continuum of learning and planned for appropriately.
The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia describes a range of opportunities for students to learn and develop a foundation for future success in learning.
The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia has five Learning Outcomes that reflect contemporary theories and research evidence concerning children’s learning. The outcomes are used to guide planning and to assist all children to make progress.
The outcomes are:
1. Children have a strong sense of identity
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
4. Children are confident and involved learners
5. Children are effective communicators.
In addition, teachers need to acknowledge the learning that children bring to school, and plan appropriate learning experiences that make connections with existing language and literacy development, including language used at home.

Early Stage 1

By the end of Early Stage 1, students communicate stories of their own family heritage and the heritage of others. They identify similarities and differences between families and recognise how important family events are commemorated.
Students sequence familiar events in order and pose questions about their own and their family’s past. They identify and compare the features of objects from the past and the present. Students acquire information by direct observation, talking to others and by viewing, reading and/or listening to texts. Students relate a story about their past using a range of texts and language associated with time and change.

Stage 1

By the end of Stage 1, students identify change and continuity in family and daily life using appropriate historical terms. They relate stories about their families’ and communities’ past and explore a point of view within an historical context. They identify and describe significant people, events, places and sites in the local community over time. Students describe the effects of changing technology on people’s lives over time.
Students sequence events in order, using a range of terms related to time. They pose questions about the past and use sources provided (such as physical, visual, oral) to answer these questions. They compare objects from the past and present. Students develop a narrative about the past using a range of texts.

Stage 2

By the end of Stage 2, students explain how and why there has been change and continuity in communities and daily life. They identify traces of the past in the present and can explain their significance. They identify celebrations and commemorations of significance in Australia and the world. Students describe and explain how significant individuals, groups and events contributed to changes in the local community over time. They describe people, events, actions and consequences of world exploration. Students identify the importance of Country to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and explain the impact of British settlement in Australia.
Students sequence key events and people in chronological order and identify key dates. They pose a range of questions about the past, identify sources (such as written, physical, visual, oral) and locate information to answer these questions. They recognise different points of view. Students develop and present texts, including narratives, using historical terms.

Stage 3

By the end of Stage 3, students describe and explain the significance of people, groups, places and events to the development of the Australian colonies and then Australia as a nation. They describe and explain different experiences of people living in the Australian colonies and then in Australia as a nation. Students identify change and continuity and describe the causes and effects of change in Australian society. Students explore the factors that led to Federation and trace experiences of democracy and citizenship over time, including the struggles of various groups for rights and freedoms including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Students engage with global connections through stories of various migrant groups and their contribution to Australia’s economic and social development.
Students sequence events and people in chronological order, and represent time by creating timelines. When researching, students develop questions to frame an historical inquiry. They locate, identify and use a range of sources to record relevant historical information to answer inquiry questions. They examine sources to identify and describe points of view. Students develop texts, particularly narratives and descriptions. In developing these texts, and organising and presenting their information, they use historical terms and concepts and incorporate relevant sources.

Stage 4

By the end of Stage 4, students describe the nature of history and archaeology, and explain their contribution to an understanding of the past. They describe major periods of historical time and sequence events, people and societies from the past. Students recognise and explain patterns of change and continuity over time and explain the causes and consequences of events and developments. They describe and assess the motives and actions of people in the past. Students demonstrate an understanding of the causes and effects of events, past societies and developments over time.
Students sequence events and developments within a chronological framework with reference to periods of time. They select and organise information from primary and secondary sources and use it as evidence to answer inquiry questions. They identify and describe the meaning, purpose and context of historical sources and use the evidence from these sources to support historical narratives and explanations. They identify and describe different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of the past. Students identify and explain different points of view in sources. They develop texts, particularly descriptions and explanations. In developing these texts, and organising and presenting their findings, they use historical terms and concepts. They use evidence in sources and acknowledge their sources of information. They select and use appropriate oral, written, visual and/or digital forms to communicate about the past. Students undertake a relevant site study either by visiting an actual site or through a virtual source.

Stage 5

By the end of Stage 5, students describe, explain and assess the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia. They sequence and explain the significant patterns of continuity and change in the development of the modern world and Australia. They explain and analyse the motives and actions of past individuals and groups in the historical contexts that shaped the modern world and Australia. Students explain and analyse the causes and effects of events and developments in the modern world and Australia. Students explain the context for people’s actions in the past. They explain the significance of events and developments from a range of perspectives. They explain different interpretations of the past and recognise the evidence used to support these interpretations.
Students sequence events and developments within a chronological framework, and identify relationships between events across different periods of time and places. When researching, students develop, evaluate and modify questions to frame an historical inquiry. They process, analyse and synthesise information from a range of primary and secondary sources and use it as evidence to answer inquiry questions. Students analyse sources to identify motivations, values and attitudes. When evaluating these sources, they analyse and draw conclusions about their usefulness, taking into account their origin, purpose and context. They develop and justify their own interpretations about the past. Students develop texts, particularly explanations and discussions, incorporating historical arguments. In developing these texts and organising and presenting their arguments, students use historical terms and concepts, evidence identified in sources and they reference these sources. Students will have undertaken a relevant site study either by visiting an actual site or through a virtual source.