The Final Quarter - Understanding The Theme Song

Australian curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 9 English:

• Interpret and compare how representations of people and culture in literary texts are drawn from different historical, social and cultural contexts (ACELT1633)
• Explore and reflect on personal understanding of the world and significant human experience gained from interpreting various representations of life matters in texts (ACELT1635)
• Investigate and experiment with the use and effect of extended metaphor, metonymy, allegory, icons, myths and symbolism in texts, for example poetry, short films, graphic novels, and plays on similar themes (ACELT1637)

Year 10 English:

• Analyse and explain how text structures, language features and visual features of texts and the context in which texts are experienced may influence audience response (ACELT1641)
• Evaluate the social, moral and ethical positions represented in texts (ACELT1812)
• Compare and evaluate how ‘voice’ as a literary device can be used in a range of different types of texts such as poetry to evoke particular emotional responses (ACELT1643)

Years 9 & 10 Music:

• Evaluate a range of music and compositions to inform and refine their own compositions and performances (ACAMUR104)
• Analyse a range of music from contemporary and past times to explore differing viewpoints and enrich their music making, starting with Australian music, including music of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and consider music in international contexts (ACAMUR105)

Syllabus outcomes: EN5-3B, EN5-4B, EN5-7D, EN5-8D, MUS5.7, MUS5.7, MUS5.9, MUS5.10, MUS5.11, MUS5.11

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

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

Relevant parts of Years 9 & 10 Music achievement standards:
Students analyse different scores and performances aurally and visually. They evaluate the use of elements of music and defining characteristics from different musical styles. They use their understanding of music making in different cultures, times and places to inform and shape their interpretations, performances and compositions.

Relevant parts of Year 9 English achievement standards:
Students analyse the ways that text structures can be manipulated for effect. They analyse and explain how images, vocabulary choices and language features distinguish the work of individual authors. They evaluate and integrate ideas and information from texts to form their own interpretations. They select evidence from texts to analyse and explain how language choices and conventions are used to influence an audience. They listen for ways texts position an audience.

Relevant parts of Year 10 English achievement standards:
Students evaluate how text structures can be used in innovative ways by different authors. They explain how the choice of language features, images and vocabulary contributes to the development of individual style. They listen for ways features within texts can be manipulated to achieve particular effects.

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: The Final Quarter – Composing For Film – Music – Years 7-10

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion and support students with activities

• Adam Goodes Profile (optional)
• Device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Lyric Sheet – single-sided, one copy per group of two-three students
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student

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

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Cultural understanding
• Empathy

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.