Lesson summary
The Last Daughter is an inspiring and intimate feature-length documentary film about the story of Brenda Matthews, a proud Wiradjuri woman, and her first memories of growing up in a loving white foster family, before she was suddenly taken away and returned to her Aboriginal family. In this lesson, students reflect on the film and work to explore the key messages embedded in Brenda’s story.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- explore key messages within the film The Last Daughter
- examine how each person’s stories are represented and constructed within the film.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- identify and explain the key messages within the film
- explain how identities and narratives are interwoven throughout the film.
Lesson guides and printables
Curriculum links
Select your curriculum from the options below.
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content descriptions:
English:
Students learn to:
- analyse the representations of people and places in literary texts, drawn from historical, social and cultural contexts, by First Nations Australian, and wide-ranging Australian and world authors (AC9E9LE01)
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Intercultural Understanding
Syllabus outcomes: EN5-8D
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
Relevant parts of Year 9 & 10 English achievement standards:
Students analyse and evaluate representations of people, places, events and concepts, and how interpretations of these may be influenced by readers and viewers.
Level of teacher scaffolding: High – facilitate class activities and discussions, maintain a safe environment for all students.
Resources required
- Access to The Last Daughter
- Butchers’ paper or access to an online tool like Canva
- Device capable of presenting audio and video to the class
- Student laptops or access to schools’ devices (laptops, iPads etc)
- Student Worksheets - one copy per student.
- Timer (smart phone, stopwatch etc)
- Writing materials
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- communication
- cultural understanding
- empathy
- social skills
Additional info
Teachers wanting to watch The Last Daughter in the classroom with their students can register and purchase the film here.
The film is also available to view on Clickview.
Special thanks to:
Australians Together is a not-for-profit organisation that brings together non-Indigenous and First Nations staff, consultants and collaborators located across Australia. Their mission is to help non-Indigenous Australians listen and learn from First Nations people. Building a greater awareness of our shared history and its ongoing impact, gain a deeper respect for First Nations perspectives, and help pave the way for meaningful actions for an Australia together. You can learn more about Australians Together and their Learning Framework here.
Related professional learning
How to Teach Critical Thinking - Secondary
Quick summary: This course will help you to view the world with a more critical eye by introspectively exploring your own biases of thinking.
Welcome back!
Don't have an account yet?
Log in with:
Create your free Cool.org account.
Many of our resources are free, with an option to upgrade to Cool+ for premium content.
Already have an account?
Sign up with:
By signing up to Cool.org you consent and agree to Cool's privacy policy to
store, manage and process your personal information. To read more, please see
our privacy policy here(Opens in new tab).