Historical Skills in the Australian Curriculum

A summary of the historical skills as presented in the Australian Curriuclum: History

Annabel Astbury | History Teachers Association of Victoria

Content Structure (Years 7 10)

Year Level
Key inquiry questions Strands Historical knowledge and understanding
Overviews Depth studies

Historical skills

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011

Historical Skills
These 5 skills are present at each Year Level (7 10) Skills development occurs over 2 year bands.

Chronology terms and concepts Historical questions and research Analysis and use of sources Perspectives and interpretations Explanation and communication

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011

Historical Skills Chronology terms and concepts

Years 7 -8 Sequence historical events and periods
Use historical terms and concepts

Years 9 - 10
Sequence events chronologically to demonstrate the relationship between events in different periods and places and periods

Use historical terms and concepts

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011

Historical Skills Historical questions and research

Years 7 -8 Identify a range of questions about the past to inform an historical inquiry Identify and locate relevant sources, using ICT and other methods

Years 9 - 10 Identify a range of different questions about the past to inform an historical inquiry Evaluate and enhance these questions

Identify and locate relevant sources, using ICT and other methods

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011

Historical Skills Analysis and use of sources

Years 7 -8 Identify the origin and purpose of primary and secondary sources Locate, select and use information from a range of sources as evidence Draw conclusions about the usefulness of sources Years 9-10 Identify the origin and purpose of primary and secondary sources Process and synthesise information from a range of sources for use as evidence in an historical argument Evaluate the reliability and usefulness of primary and secondary sources

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011

Historical Skills Perspectives and Interpretations

Years 7 -8 Identify and describe points of view, values and attitudes in primary and secondary sources

Years 9 - 10 Identify and analyse the perspectives of people from the past Identify and analyse different historical interpretations (including their own)

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011

Historical Skills Explanation and communication

Years 7-8 Develop historical texts, particularly descriptions and explanations that use evidence from a range of sources Identify and locate relevant sources, using ICT and other methods Years 9-10 Develop historical texts, particularly descriptions and explanations that use evidence from a range of sources Select and use a range of communication forms (oral, graphic, written) and digital technologies

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011

For more information

ACARA | www.acara.edu.au

VCAA | www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

HTAV | www.htav.asn.au

Content Structure | Annabel Astbury 2011