The Final Quarter - Media Controversy

Australian Curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 7 English:

• Identify and discuss main ideas, concepts and points of view in spoken texts to evaluate qualities, for example, the strength of an argument or the lyrical power of a poetic rendition (ACELY1719)
• Use comprehension strategies to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information, critiquing ideas and issues from a variety of textual sources (ACELY1723)

Syllabus outcomes: EN4-1A, EN4-2A

General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (OI.6, OI,9)

Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards: Students understand how the selection of a variety of language features can influence an audience. They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, using language features to engage the audience.

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: The Final Quarter – Media Constructions – English – Year 7

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium to high – scaffold a student collaborative task

• Student Worksheets – one copy per student
• Device capable of presenting a video to the class

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

• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Community engagement
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Cultural understanding
• Digital literacy
• Initiative
• Social skills

Using only archival footage aired at the time, The Final Quarter holds a mirror to Australia and is an opportunity to reconsider what happened on and off the football field. Learn more about the film here.

We highly recommend that students view the film in its entirety before participating in subsequent lessons.

Our Watching the Film lessons are designed to support you in facilitating this process. Given the content, it is also important for teachers to communicate with parents and guardians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students before playing the film and/or engaging with the teaching and learning resources. 

Note: This film may not be suitable for viewing by all young people. Teachers are advised to use their discretion when deciding whether to show this film. If teaching in a context with a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, it is imperative that guidance is sought from the Principal and Aboriginal Education Officer (or equivalent) prior to screening the film.