History / Year 8 / Historical Knowledge and Understanding

Curriculum content descriptions

Significant developments and/or cultural achievements that led to Viking expansion, including weapons and shipbuilding, and the extent of their trade (ACDSEH047)

Elaborations
  • describing Viking craft with particular emphasis on the production of weapons (for example, swords, battle axes and helmets)
  • outlining the key role of gods such as Odin, Thor, Frey and Freyja in Viking religion and the adoption of Christianity during the Viking period
  • investigating the construction of longboats and their role in exploration, including innovations in keel and sail design.
  • describing evidence of Viking trade between Russia (Kiev) and the east (through Constantinople)
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • Intercultural understanding Intercultural understanding
ScOT terms

Inventions,  International trade,  Scandinavian history,  Weapons,  Boatbuilding

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Vikings: the north Atlantic saga - online exhibition

This is an online exhibition rich in historical information, animations and source material about the Vikings in general and their westward expansion in particular. The exhibition, developed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, contains three elements, two intended for students and one for teachers. ...

Online

Yulunga: kandomarngutta

In some parts of Australia children were allowed to use the bullroarer (whirlers), or small versions of it, as a source of amusement. In other areas the bullroarer had a special significance and was not used as a ‘toy’. In parts of Victoria a bullroarer called the kandomarngutta was used. This was a thin piece of wood, ...

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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; ...

Online

Examining the lives of historical figures to help us effect change - unit of work

This is a short unit of work about significant historical figures from Australia's past, the contributions they made and how their actions have affected Australia today. Intended for lower secondary students, the unit is organised around two activities. The first involves a study of Edith Cowan. It serves as a model for ...

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'Miyuki: the imperial outing and hunt', 1600-10

This is a pair of six-fold screens, painted during the Momoyama period (1573-1615) in Japan, depicting chapter 29 of the epic Japanese novel ‘Tale of Genji’. The screens are shown as an enlargeable image. Text onscreen gives detailed information on the history of the novel, the period it was written and an extensive visual ...

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Sites2See: The Chinese in Australia

This page features an interactive created from a 50-metre long painted scroll at the National Museum of Australia, titled Harvest of Endurance, that represents two centuries of Chinese people in Australia.

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Australian reconciliation barometer

This is an information page providing a summary of the Australian Reconciliation Barometer, a national research study measuring the progress of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. The page includes links to reports for each biennial study as well as other related resources ...

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Syllabus Bites: Explore a source

This resource is a webpage with information, study guide and resources on the process of analysing and evaluating historical sources to support Stage 3, 4 and 5 HSIE and the Australian Curriculum: History.

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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.

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The history in the journey

In this resource Thomas Keneally speaks about telling the history of Australia using the journeys of people who lived it.

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Sites2See: Reconciliation

This resource is a one-page guide to the people, processes, information and events around reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians, with links to music, video and digital resources and activities.

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Telling the truth in history

In this resource Thomas Keneally addresses the issue of fictionalising history and the difference between novels and histories.

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Old Government House Parramatta virtual tour

This resource is about exploring Governor Macquarie’s preferred residence while learning more about the early colony through this virtual tour of Old Government House at Parramatta.

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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.

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Thomas Keneally – fascinating facts about Aboriginal people

In this resource Thomas Keneally speaks about the extraordinary things he discovered about Aboriginal people from a archaeological dig at Brewarrina.

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Syllabus Bites: Ancient India

This resource is a webpage with information, study guide and resources on the depth study, The Asian world: India, to support the Australian Curriculum in History.

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The research process

In this resource Thomas Keneally reveals the sources he used to uncover the details about early life in Australia.

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Thomas Keneally – Lachlan Macquarie

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

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The use of images

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

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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.