Category: Australian history

INQUIRY RESEARCH: AUSTRALIA

When we work on Inquiry tasks it requires lots of research. Today we are going to use the links below to research information about Australia. When researching from the Internet we need to read information carefully and record the information that we think is important.

We will learn important features about Australia such as:

  • States
  • Capital cities
  • Landmarks
  • Australian & Aboriginal flag

Use these links to complete your Australian Research Inquiry tasks.

https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/australia-facts.html

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/flag-anthem-and-emblems-of-Australia/

http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/australia-aus.htm

The Australian Flag

Today we are going to unpack a seed on the Australian Flag. The Australian Flag is a symbol for our country and every country has their own flag. There are also many other types of flags around the world that represent communities, groups of people, clubs, etc.

The Australian Flag was designed in 1901 and is blue, red and white. The flag has three symbols on it: The Union Jack, the Southern Cross and the Commonwealth/Federation Star.

2000px-flag_of_australia_converted-svg

After watching the video, unpack a seed on the Australian Flag. What is the Union Jack? What is the Southern Cross? What is the Commonwealth/Federation Star?

Many people believe the Australian Flag should be changed because it is out-dated and does not represent all Australians. Do you think the flag should be replaced?

History – Why did people explore?

Last week we discussed and read reasons why people explored a long time ago.

Can you remember any reasons why people explored?

This week we are going to choose one explorer and research them in detail so we will be able to write a biography. When we write a biography on an explorer we will try and use information that explains:

  • Who the person was
  • Where they were from and important information about their early life
  • What they did and why (their occupation)
  • Their achievements (What did they discover? Why are they famous?)
  • Any other important pieces of information about the explorer.

Choose from one of the explorers and below each explorer is some links that will help you find websites to research.

Captain James Cook

http://www.apex.net.au/~mhumphry/jamescook.html

http://www.captaincook.org.uk/timeline.php

http://www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/captain_james_cook.php

Abel Tasman

http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ab/Abel_Tasman

William Dampier

http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Explorers/William_Dampier/

http://www.teacherstimesaver.com/discoz/dampier.html

Dirk Hartog

http://www.teacherstimesaver.com/discoz/hartog.html

 

 

Early Explorers

ExplorersWhy did people explore?

During the 17th and 18th centuries there were no aeroplanes or fast ships. There was no technology and many parts of the world had not been discovered by the Europeans. Many explorers spent years sailing the seas. What were they searching for? 

Explorers were sometimes looking for places that no one from Europe had been to before. Sometimes they were looking for resources, or things like spices, vegetables and metals. Sometimes they wanted to find new land and become famous. 

Sailors were often sent searching in the hope they would gain more power and money. 

Why do you think explorers came to Australia? What do you think they found?

Early explorers of Australia

Let’s have a look at some of the explorers who came to Australia. 

Willem Jansz

Willem Jansz was a Dutch sailor, who is said to be the first European to find Australia in 1606.  

Jansz and his crew landed in Australia (Cape York) where they met a group of Aboriginal people. The two groups ended up in a fight and one of the crewmembers was speared to death.  

Dirk Hartog

Dirk Hartog was also a Dutch sailor, who is believed to be the first European on the West coast of Australia. 

In 1616 Hartog and his crew were blown off course and landed on a small island near Shark Island. Today, this island is called Dirk Hartog Island.  

Abel Tasman

Anthony van Dieman was a Dutch man who wanted to explore New Holland (Australia). 

In 1642 Abel Tasman was employed to lead this trip. Tasman and his crew landed on Tasmania in November 1642. Tasman named the island Van Dieman’s Land, but we know it today as Tasmania. 

William Dampier

William Dampier was an English pirate! Dampier visited New Holland (Australia) twice.   

The first time Dampier came was in 1688 when he was onboard the Cygnet, a pirate ship. The ship became damaged and the crew made the repairs on the West coast of Australia. 

In 1699 Dampier was sent back to Australia by the English government. They wanted him to find out more about the country. On the trip Dampier gave Shark Bay and Roebuck Bay their names. The journey ended in disaster because the ship sank before he could return home. 

He arrived back in England as a passenger on another ship and was considered a disgrace.

Captain James Cook

In 1770, Captain James Cook was the first European to explore the eastern coastline of Australia.

Australian Geography

Below is a map of Australia. It is a blank map with no labels on it.

Your task is to use the link below (click on the link and it will take you to another internet page) to research all of the states/territories and capital cities in Australia.

http://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/australia-facts.html

You will then find the states and cities before writing a comment for this post of all the states/territories and their capital cities.

Example: Purple = Victoria, Melbourne. (Use the colours on the map to separate the states)

If you are able to complete that task, use the link below to research 5 Australian landmarks (and their state) and use Google to research 5 famous Australians. You will complete this task in a separate comment. For this task please try and use some sentences.

http://www.australianlandmarks.com.au/lists/australian-landmarks-top-10-list

Inquiry Unit – Bushrangers/Week 3

Bushranging – living off the land and being supported by or stealing from free settlers – was either chosen as a preferred way of life by escaped convicts or was a result of the lack of supplies in the early settlements. Australia’s bushranging period spanned nearly 100 years, from the first convict bushrangers active from 1790 to the 1860s, through the outlawed bushrangers of the 1860s and 1870s who were able to be shot on sight, to the shooting of the Kelly Gang in 1880.

While many bushrangers had populist reputations for being ‘Robin Hood’ figures; some bushrangers were brutal and others harassed the gold escorts and diggers returning from the goldfields. The popularity of bushrangers and their ethos of ‘fight before surrender’ was commemorated in bush songs and folklore.

You will need to ensure you work very hard and focus on achieving the tasks that are below.

Today you will work on your timeline, mind-map/seed, begin drafting your historical fiction piece of writing and reflect on your new learning about Australian bushrangers.

TIMELINE

All groups started their timeline last week (some groups have finished). Remember we used Microsoft Word to make our timeline and we should have some pictures on our timelines to add to the presentation. Use the information that was written down in your books and ensure all of your events are in order. You may print a coloured copy of you’ve included pics.

MIND-MAP/SEED

Both group members will need to do their own mind-map. However you will need to research together and share ideas with each other. Use a A3 piece of paper for your draft mind-map.

Your mind-map/seed will based on your inquiry question and should include the following information:

  • What was a bushranger?
  • Why did bushrangers exist?
  • What type of crimes did bushrangers commit?
  • How did bushrangers affect Australia?
  • What were the punishments for being a bushranger?
  • Who were the most popular bushrangers?

Below are some links that may assist you in finding some information on bushrangers for your mind-map/seed.

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/early-austn-bushrangers

http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/irish_in_australia/bushrangers

http://www.australianhistory.org/bushrangers

http://www.wilmap.com.au/bushrangers.html

http://www.nedkellys.com.au/neds_history.html

http://www.dinkumaussies.com/BUSHRANGERS%2FNed%20Kelly.htm

HISTORICAL FICTION PIECE OF WRITING

A historical fiction piece of writing is a narrative story that is based on real life events. Today you begin to draft a historical fiction piece of writing, which may require you to research further into bushrangers.

Your piece of writing must be written with lots of powerful language, reflect the era of bushrangers and will be written from a bushrangers perspective like an open-minded portrait. Your piece of writing may end with some suspense and does not need to have a specific ending.

You may base your writing on an event listed below, or you could find your own historical event involving a bushranger to base your writing on.

  • The Kelly Gang > Stringy Bark Creek Murders
  • The Kelly Gang > Glenrowan shootout
  • A bushranger on the goldfields
  • A bushranger on the run

REFLECTION

On the post you need to leave a comment before you get your lunch. Your comment must include the following:

  • Two things you have learnt about bushrangers today.
  • What is your goal for next week?

Look & Learn: The First Fleet

Today we are going to complete  a look and learn based on the First Fleet. We will also read a part of The First Fleet by John Nicholson to help you with your understanding.

Look at the images and complete a descriptive look and learn by trying to extend your thinking about the topic.

– Explain what life was like in England prior to the First Fleet.

– Describe what the conditions were like on the First Fleet.

– Explain what life would’ve have been like for the convicts when they arrived to Australia.

– Explain how the indigenous people would’ve have felt when their land was invaded by the First Fleet.