Wild Things - Opposing Voices

Australian Curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 8 Civics and Citizenship:

• The freedoms that enable active participation in Australia’s democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement (ACHCK061)
• Appreciate multiple perspectives and use strategies to mediate differences (ACHCS071)

Year 9 Civics and Citizenship:

• Critically evaluate information and ideas from a range of sources in relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS084)
• Recognise and consider multiple perspectives and ambiguities, and use strategies to negotiate and resolve contentious issues (ACHCS086)

Year 10 English:

• Understand how language use can have inclusive and exclusive social effects, and can empower or disempower people (ACELA1564)

Year 8 Geography:

• Human causes and effects of landscape degradation (ACHGK051)
• Ways of protecting significant landscapes (ACHGK052)
• Present findings, arguments and ideas in a range of communication forms selected to suit a particular audience and purpose; using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS061)

Year 9 Geography:

• The effects of the production and consumption of goods on places and environments throughout the world and including a country from North-East Asia (ACHGK068)
• Present findings, arguments and explanations in a range of appropriate communication forms, selected for their effectiveness and to suit audience and purpose; using relevant geographical terminology, and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS070)

Year 10 Geography:

• Human-induced environmental changes that challenge sustainability (ACHGK070)
• Environmental world views of people and their implications for environmental management (ACHGK071)
• Present findings, arguments and explanations in a range of appropriate communication forms, selected for their effectiveness and to suit audience and purpose; using relevant geographical terminology, and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS079)

Syllabus outcomes: GE4-2, GE4-3, GE4-5, GE4-7, GE4-8, GE5-2, GE5-3, GE5-4, GE5-8, EN5-5C

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.3, OI.8, OI.9

Relevant parts of Year 8 Civics and Citizenship achievement standards: Students explain features of Australia’s democracy that enable active participation. They explain different points of view on civics and citizenship issues. When planning for action, students take into account multiple perspectives, use democratic processes, and develop solutions to an issue.

Relevant parts of Year 9 Civics and Citizenship achievement standards: Students reflect on how groups participate and contribute to civic life. They compare and account for different interpretations and points of view on civics and citizenship issues. When planning for action, students take into account multiple perspectives, use democratic processes, and negotiate solutions to an issue.

Relevant parts of Year 10 English achievement standards: Students explain different viewpoints, attitudes and perspectives through the development of cohesive and logical arguments.

Relevant parts of Year 8 Geography achievement standards: Students explain interconnections within environments and between people and places and explain how they change places and environments. They compare alternative strategies to a geographical challenge, taking into account environmental, economic and social factors. Students present findings, arguments and ideas using relevant geographical terminology and digital technologies in a range of appropriate communication forms.

Relevant parts of Year 9 Geography achievement standards: They analyse interconnections between people, places and environments and explain how these interconnections influence people, and change places and environments. Students synthesise data and information to draw reasoned conclusions. They present findings, arguments and explanations using relevant geographical terminology and digital representations in a range of appropriate communication forms.

Relevant parts of Year 10 Geography achievement standards: Students identify, analyse and explain significant interconnections between people, places and environments and explain changes that result from these interconnections and their consequences. They analyse and synthesise data and other information to draw reasoned conclusions, taking into account alternative perspectives.

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Wild Things Years 8 to 10

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion, lead students in activities

• Device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Persuasive Writing Factsheet
• PowerPoint (or similar)
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student
• Sustainability Factsheet
• Thinking Hats Factsheet

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

• Communication
• Community engagement
• Critical thinking
• Global citizenship
• Problem solving
• Collaboration

Wild Things follows a new generation of environmental activists that are mobilising against forces more powerful than themselves and saying: enough. Following a year in the footsteps of School Strike 4 Climate, Stop Adani and Save The Tarkine Rainforest, interwoven with a look at historical campaigns, this film is set to show that every action counts and individuals can make a difference. Access the film here.

This lesson has been developed with the support of 360 Degree Films and the Garry White Foundation.