Identifying the Commonwealth

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• creative thinking
• critical thinking
• cultural understanding
• digital literacy
• intercultural understanding

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description: 

Year 4 HASS

• Students learn about the effects of contact with other people on First Nations Australians and their Countries/Places following the arrival of the First Fleet and how this was viewed by First Nations Australians as an invasion (AC9HS4K04).
• Students learn about the diversity of cultural, religious and/or social groups to which they and others in the community belong, and their importance to identity (AC9HS4K09).

Relevant parts of Year 4 HASS achievement standards: Students describe the effects of colonisation on people and environments. They describe the importance and role of local government, community members and laws, and the cultural and social factors that shape identity. 

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Digital Literacy, Intercultural Understanding, Literacy, Personal and Social Capability 

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – the teacher needs to confidently present information from a slide presentation, facilitate class discussion and encourage students to conduct effective online research.

UN SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

• device for displaying digital resources
• student access to devices (ideally 1 per student)
• Student Worksheet
• What’s the Difference Between the Commonwealth of Nations and the British Empire? Factsheet
• whiteboard and whiteboard markers

These resources have been created with the support of the Australian Commonwealth Games Team, via Commonwealth Games Australia.

The Australian Commonwealth Games Team are set to take on the athletes of he world at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games from next year, and together the more than 250 athletes in green and gold aim to be the top nation at the Games in terms of gold and overall medals won, the number of medallists, and the number of sports winning medals.

You can cheer on Australia’s best across the screens of 7 and 7Plus from 23 July 2026.

Beginning to Include First Nations Peoples’ Perspectives in Your Classroom

Quick Summary: This course is designed to inform and upskill educators in incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the classroom. It guides terms of reference, protocols and strategies for an inclusive classroom that celebrates diversity.