Unit Plan - Year 8 HASS - 2021

Mabo Day/Reconciliation Week Mini Unit

Content Descriptors - Civics and Citizenship

Understanding: Government and democracy

- How citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy, including use of the electoral
system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, and direct
action (ACHCK062)
Civics and Citizenship Skills
- Appreciate multiple perspectives and use strategies to mediate differences
(ACHCS071)
- Present evidence-based civics and citizenship arguments using subject-specific
language (ACHCS073)
- Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australia’s democracy (ACHCS074)

Achievement Standards - Civics and Citizenship

1. Plan for action using multiple perspectives, and democratic processes, to develop
solutions to an issue.
2. Develop and present reasoned arguments on civics and citizenship issues using
appropriate texts, subject-specific language and concepts.

Lesson Sequence

Weekly focus Lesson focus Additional notes

Terra nullius to Native Title: Monday (double) - Focus on passive

restrictions, reform, and
reconciliation in Australia
How was colonisation in
Australia different to NZ?
Land rights in Australia.
Wednesday (single)
Why do we celebrate Mabo
day?
Thursday (double)
How have successful ATSI
rights activists enacted
change?
+ and take turns
What issues are still present?
resistance and
evidence use
- Research time in
class for background
(eg. find some
evidence)
- Write-up start
Thursday (for check-in
on Monday)
- Individual
presentation but can
get up with a friend
presenting (like a
team at a conference)

Voices of change: using Monday (double) - Write-up

political speech and individual How can we ensure our - Review by teacher
voices to enact reform voices are being used
productively? - Record or practice

Wednesday (single)
What do you need to do to
finish your speech?

Thursday (double)
No class - pupil free day

Summative Task Two: Activist activity (contemporary ATSI issue)

Students put together either a speech that uses their “voice” as an Australian citizen to call for
change - they should choose a contemporary ATSI issue (such as Change the Date - or Free
the Flag) to campaign for. The focus will be on making a convincing argument using evidence,
and peaceful speech, rather than “campaigning loudly”.

Lesson instructions (SEQTA)

LESSON 1:

Inquiry question: Who was Eddie Mabo?

Aim: To know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights movements have a long history
in Australia and are still ongoing today. Understand that the way we choose to communicate
our ideas has an impact on who will listen to us.

Today you will:

1. Be introduced to a new unit of work
2. Start a new word wall - what do you know about these words:
a. Terra Nullius
b. Native Title
3. Watch a video about Land Rights in Australia
a. Write definitions to the above terms as you watch
4. Look at a timeline of Indigenous Rights Movements in Australia
5. Share which you found the most surprising via a poll
6. Values continuum - how likely am I to change my behaviour/perspective if:
a. Someone yells at me that my behaviour is wrong
b. Someone publicly embarrasses me about my opinion
c. Someone quietly talks to me about why they disagree
d. Someone gives me reasons for why they think I’m wrong
e. Someone shares their story of a different experience
7. Watch an excerpt from Eddie Koiki Mabo’s land rights lecture
8. Complete a reflection card about this video

LESSON 2:
Inquiry question: Do we have equality in Australia now?

Aim: To know the range of contemporary rights issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples in Australia. Choose an issue to explore in depth.

Today you will:

1. Go over assignment two
2. Listen to Miss B. tell a story (Northern Territory Emergency Response)
3. Deconstruct the flash cards from Miss B’s “speech”
4. Look at a range of contemporary Indigenous rights issues
5. Choose which issue you would like to focus on for your assignment

LESSON 3:

Inquiry question: How will you tell the story of your issue?

Aim: To understand deeply the problems, causes, and evidence behind one contemporary
issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

Today you will:

1. Choose whether you would like to:
a. Present to the class as a speech
b. Record a video presentation
2. Identify what you are trying to convince people of (what is your claim?)
3. Gather some evidence to support your claim
4. Start writing a script for your speech/video, remember:
a. No aggressive language
b. Educate your audience by sharing the story of your cause
c. Back it up with evidence