Year 2 History & Geography - Connectedness

Finding Out : 4
Overview
In this lesson students will investigate the similarities and differences between the past and
present of their school community. This will be addressed by student led discussion and the
creation of a Venn Diagram on the IWB. To assist in the comparison, students will examine photos
of the school (past and present) and have the opportunity to question differences as well as
solidify their prior knowledge.
Warning: Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples are warned that the example
resources may contain images and names of deceased persons.

Explanation
In previous lessons students have explored past and present as well as their connectedness to the
world in the Tuning In stage. These past lessons have scaffold students knowledge to participate
actively in the Finding Out stage.

Learning Intentions

Students Will identify the historical significance of the school community and compare it to
the present community to reveal the schools past. (ACHHK044)
Students will identify the connections Indigenous & Torres Strait islanders have with land,
sea, and animals of their place. (ACHGK011)

General Capabilities
Literacy
Students will be involved in class discussion, decision making, and the
representation of information in a 'Venn Diagram'. The students will be using context
specific language about past & present and using comparative language.
ICT
Students are engaged with ICT through using Ipad's and IWB to compare
photographs, and the IWB to create a 'Venn Diagram' which is then posted to the
class website.
Critical & creative Thinking
Students are identifying & comparing differences and pictures and questioning why
they are different now.

Assessment
Assessment For Learning, Students will be assessed on their Venn Diagram and the comparisons
with in it.
Assessment as learning will be used in the conclusion stage of this lesson (see assessment tab on
website).

Resources

Ipad's
Photos of school, past & present
IWB

Student Orientated Instruction

1. Engage students into the lesson by asking students "What did your parents use to play
with as kids? And what do you do now?" Lead to the discussion of Past & Present.
2. Ask students "what do they think may have changed in the school over time?" (GROUP,
PAIR, SHARE)
3. Present topic of analysis by identifying differences in the school using photos from the past
and present. Students then create a Venn Diagram about things that have changed within
the school community.
4. As the pictures are presented and differences & similarities are identified, the educator

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promotes further discussion about changes Through further questioning, such as 'Why did
this change?' ' What does a bigger school mean?'.
Once the students have an understanding, students transition into indigenous connections,
Remind students that all families and cultures are diverse by asking "does everyone
remember in previous lessons how we recognized that everyone's families are different and
do different things? Introduce that Indigenous & Torres Strait Islanders also have a unique
way of living in the past & present. Then introduce that Indigenous & Torres Strait Islander's
perspective: Indigenous & Torres Strait Islander people have a diverse relationship with
Australia, In the past they lived off the land, by hunting, finding food and shelter. The
different places which they live off, is considered their 'Country'. To emphasize the
importance of the land ensure students understand that it was the way they Survived.
Ask: "Which state do we live in?" Then relate the answer to Indigenous perspective by;
Just like we have states, they have split Australia up into smaller parts so we can say where
we are from in Australia. Check for understanding: "What do you think of this (insert
name)?", " Why do you think they value the land, sea & animals?"
State that we will be learning more next lesson, to extend on this understanding solidify
their concepts.
Reflection: At the end of the lesson students are to write a sentence in their learning
journal, around the topic of 'Why do you think the school has changed?'

Modification for students with varying degrees of ability

Support
Allow a teacher aide/ parent helper to be in the classroom
Allow for all students to come up with a difference or similarity before asking students to
share, therefore everyone participates.
Probe students or give suggestions
Extension
Students could extend their learning by asking a deputy or a principal about how the school
has changed and present their findings.
Find & identify pictures of the school's old uniforms.

Warning: Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples are warned that the example resources may
contain images and names of deceased persons.

Appendices
A. Venn Diagram