The Last Daughter - Key Messages of the Film

The Last Daughter - Key Messages of the Film

Lesson 1 of 10 in this unit

  • Secondary
  • Year 9 - 10
  • English
  • Learning through film
  • Text Analysis
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
  • Social
  • Indigenous Education
  • Social Action
  • ...

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

Student Worksheet
Lesson Plan
Teacher Content Info

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: LiteracyPersonal and Social CapabilityIntercultural 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.

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