Humanities and social sciences / Year 7 / Knowledge and Understanding

Curriculum content descriptions

The theory that people moved out of Africa around 60 000 BC (BCE) and migrated to other parts of the world, including Australia (ACHASSK164)

Elaborations
  • using a map to describe the pattern of movement of humans ‘out of Africa’ and across other continents over time, and looking at the types of evidence of these movements (for example, stone tools, human remains and cave paintings)
General capabilities
  • Intercultural understanding Intercultural understanding
ScOT terms

Ancient history,  Migration

Video

How did the first humans live?

This 10 minute video in three parts offers an overview of what life was like in the ancient world. Part 1 introduces the Palaeolithic era, marked by the use of stone tools, focusing on Homo Sapiens, and the tools used to study this era - archaeology and anthropology. Part 2 discusses human foraging and the specialist techniques ...

Video

Migrations and technological creativity

This 6 minute video discusses the migrations that occurred in the ancient world. It follows migration from Africa about 90,000 years ago, across all continents until the last migrations into the Americas about 15,000 years ago. The video explores the emergence of technologies and their impact on the environment including ...

Online

Mapping Aboriginal knowledge of the bush

This is a resource about a collaborative study carried out by the CSIRO and the Aboriginal peoples of the Northern Territory and Western Australia to map the peoples’ knowledge of bush tucker associated with the Daly and Fitzroy Rivers and develop seasonal calendars. The resource consists of an online article from ‘Australian ...

Online

Ancient China: staff room

This is a rich teacher resource about ancient China. It contains 15 background information sheets; 11 lesson plans for whole-class discussions to introduce particular topics; four inquiry grid worksheets for gathering information; and nine follow-up lesson plans for activities that extend the content. The staff room resource ...

Interactive

Gold – shaping our identity

This is a task-based resource for students to explore the social, economic, political and environmental impact of the gold rush in Australia in the 1850s. The resource includes videos, SMART notebooks, worksheets and links to further interactive resources. It includes support notes for teachers and/or supervisors in distance ...

Interactive

Making a difference

This resource consists of four case studies which explore stories that illustrate issues of civics and citizenship at local, state, federal government and international levels. Students learn about active citizenship and plan their own, while covering content such as the Freedom Rides, Franklin Dam, Mabo, Wik and human rights.

Video

Thomas Keneally – Lachlan Macquarie

In this resource Thomas Keneally assesses Macquarie’s role in development of NSW.

Video

The use of images

In this resource Thomas Keneally reveals his reasons for choosing the images in 'Australians: Origins to Eureka'.

Video

Understanding the past

In this resource Thomas Keneally addresses the importance of understanding Australia’s past with particular emphasis on Australia’s strong tradition of democratic action and democratic institutions.

Text

Thomas Keneally – more resources on Thomas Keneally

This resource is a page with web links to interviews, articles and book reviews. PDF

Interactive

Sites2See: Ancient History at the British Museum

This resource links to a collection of resources with themes of cities, religion, buildings, technology, writing and trade. Resources include interactive learning activities such as the workings of a Greek household.

Video

Face2Face: Thomas Keneally

This resource is an interview with Thomas Keneally on his book, 'Australians: Origins to Eureka'.

Interactive

SMART Notebook: The technological legacy of Ancient China

This resource is an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) resource examining inventions from Ancient China and their legacy in the modern world. Also contains activities about understanding historical time and working with timelines.

Interactive

Treasures of American history - online exhibition

This is an online exhibition showing the objects, artefacts and images that make up some of the treasures of US history. The treasures shown in this exhibition document eight of the challenging situations and issues that have helped to shape the USA. Topics include: revolution and the new nation; slavery; western expansion; ...

Interactive

Ancient Egypt

This is an online interactive resource about ancient Egypt developed by the British Museum. The resource has ten sections: Egyptian life; geography; gods and goddesses; mummification; pharaoh; pyramids; temples; time; trades; and writing. Each section contains three elements: 'Story', 'Explore' and 'Challenge'. The 'Challenge' ...

Assessment

Year 7 history assessment - Investigating the ancient past: A history mystery

This is an assessment package that uses the Year 7 Australian Curriculum history achievement standard to gather evidence about how well students have demonstrated what they know, what they understand and what they can do for the depth study 'Investigating the Ancient Past' (between 60 000BC–c.650 AD). Using the context ...

Interactive

Sites2See: Gallipoli

This resource features the ABC resource 'Gallipoli: The First Day' which uses diaries, photos and interview clips, 3D graphics and videos to bring a new perspective to the first hours of the campaign. Includes additional activities and resources for study.

Text

Self-guided trips

This is a rich, multilayered resource about self-guided trips at eight Bush Heritage reserves across Australia. The resource provides information, images and maps about eight self-guided day trips or camping trips including: detailed information about the reserve; advice about the self-guided trip; when to visit; type of ...

Text

Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre

This resource is a Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) web page that provides warnings to the Australian community of tsunami threats to Australia's coastline and offshore territories. These warnings are issued by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) operated by Geoscience Australia and the Bureau. The resource shows ...

Text

Indigenous science: Australia had ancient trade routes too

This is an article about the ancient overland trade routes of Aboriginal Australia. Written by Kudjala/Kalkadoon Elder from Queensland Letitia Murgha and intended mainly for teachers, it compares Aboriginal trading routes based on Dreaming pathways and songlines throughout Australia to the Silk Road and the spice trade ...