The following resources can be used by teachers and students studying history in Stages 4 and 5.

Using the National Literacy and Numeracy learning progressions in history

The following sample lesson plans aim to assist teachers to implement the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions into history learning and teaching programs. They are a guide and may be amended and adapted to suit individualised learning and teaching programs.

How can the learning progressions help history teachers?

The progressions can be used to identify the capabilities of students. The learning progression indicators give teachers a clear foundation to target student learning needs and improve achievement of course outcomes.

The progressions provide teachers with the anatomy of literacy and numeracy. They can be used to link students’ work samples to the indicators and can assist teachers in identifying the next phase in learning the skills of literacy and numeracy across and between indicators.

How do history teachers use the learning progressions in their daily work?

Teachers can use the progressions to support the development of targeted learning and teaching programs and to set clearer goals for students. They can use this model as a starting point to identify literacy and numeracy aspects within their existing teaching and learning programs. From this identification, engagement with the learning progressions can begin.

Remember that the NSW Syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum are mandatory documents that set the expectation for student achievement and inform teaching practice. The learning progressions are a tool to enhance this.

Sample lesson plans with literacy and numeracy learning progressions

Stage 4 Mediterranean world – Rome – with learning intentions

Stage 4 3b The Asian world – with learning progressions

Stage 4 The Vikings – with learning progressions

Stage 4 Depth study Polynesian expansion – with learning intentions

Stage 4 Expanding contacts – with learning progressions

Stage 5 Making a better world – with learning progressions

Learning across the curriculum content

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures (DOCX 116KB) – this K–10 cross curriculum resource provides teaching and learning activities and links to resources to integrate the teaching of the key concepts of Country/Place, Culture and People with the content and outcomes of the syllabus.
• Sustainability (DOCX 84KB) – this K–10 cross curriculum resource provides ideas to embed the cross curriculum priority of sustainability within a history program through learning snapshots with links to resources across a number of K–10 topics.
• Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia (PDF 903 KB) – this K–10 cross curriculum resource provides snapshots of learning for each stage with case studies that support teachers to include the diversity of Asia, achievements and contributions of peoples of Asia and Asia-Australia engagement in geography.
• Civics and citizenship (DOCX 480KB) – this resource provides sample teaching and learning activities which align to the Civics and Citizenship Assessment Framework. For Year 10, whilst some activities can support the Stage 5 history depth study topic, Making a nation, most are guided by the content and skills in the National Assessment Program Civics and Citizenship Assessment Framework.

Other resources

• Guide to using picture books in history K-10 (PDF 1.94 MB) supports teachers to integrate picture books to enhance their history teaching and programming. It provides examples of learning activities for picture books selected for their historical and literary value.
• Using picture books for intercultural understanding: Learning across the curriculum (PDF 1.55MB) is a resource for Geography, History, English, Creative Arts K-10. The resource suggests learning activities based around picture books selected for their value in developing intercultural understandings and their literary worth.
• History terminology continuum K-10 (DOCX 53.28KB) - The history terminology continuum provides a list of essential vocabulary required of the NSW syllabus for the Australian curriculum K-10 history
• History for those new to teaching the subject (DOCX 893KB) is a comprehensive resource to support new and out of subject teachers to develop their skills and confidence in teaching history. The resource unpacks the History K-10 syllabus in detail and includes a number of practical activities to encourage teachers to reflect on their knowledge and understanding in history.