Tell Me Why

Suggested level: Years 2-6

Learning areas: English; Humanities and Social Sciences; Health and Physical Education

Cross-curriculum priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, with connections to Culture and People through Aboriginal identity, family histories, respectful questions and belonging.

🧭 Suggested Australian Curriculum V9 content descriptions:
AC9E5LE01: identify aspects of literary texts that represent historical, social and cultural contexts in literature by First Nations Australian and other authors
AC9HS4K04: the effects of contact following the First Fleet and how this was viewed by First Nations Australians as an invasion

These are suggested starting points. Teachers should confirm the selected year-level content descriptions against their local program and student needs.

Learning focus: identity, family history, respectful questions and belonging.

Practical lesson sequence

1. Before: Introduce the learning focus and essential vocabulary. Invite prior knowledge without requiring students to disclose personal or family experiences.
2. During and after: Notice how Sarah asks questions and how family knowledge shapes her understanding. Students create respectful interview questions, with an option to use an imagined or historical subject rather than disclose private family information.
3. Evidence of learning: A short identity web or interview plan demonstrating respectful questioning.

Curriculum reference: Use the suggested connections to select the most appropriate content descriptions for your year level and local program. See the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority.