Lesson summary
In this lesson, students will analyse some of the previous and current legislations on child removal. They will explore the concept of self-determination, and seek to understand why this is important for the healing of First Nations peoples. Students reflect on the story of Brenda Matthews, a proud Wiradjuri woman who was forcibly removed from her family at the age of two, through the feature-length documentary, The Last Daughter.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand the concept of self-determination and why it is important for First Nations peoples
- research previous and current legislation regarding child removal in Australia.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- compare and analyse data from previous and current legislation regarding child removal in Australia
- recall facts about legislation regarding child removal in Australia
- explain why self-determination is important for Australia’s First Nations peoples.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content descriptions:
English:
Students learn to:
- understand how language can have inclusive and exclusive social effects, and can empower or disempower people (AC9E10LA01)
- analyse representations of individuals, groups and places and evaluate how they reflect their context in literary texts by First Nations Australian, and wide-ranging Australian and world authors (AC9E10LE01)
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Intercultural Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Digital Literacy
Syllabus outcomes: EN5-8D
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
Relevant parts of Year 9 & 10 English achievement standards:
By the end of Year 10, students read, view and comprehend a range of texts created to inform, influence and engage audiences. They analyse and evaluate representations of people, places, events and concepts, and how interpretations of these may be influenced by readers and viewers.
Resources required
- Access to The Last Daughter
- 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
- Writing materials
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- communication
- creativity
- 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.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - facilitate class discussion, read provided material to class.
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.
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