Key features of the History K-10 syllabus

What is familiar for Years 7-10? objectives and outcomes stages key inquiry questions and an inquiry based approach site studies – mandatory for Stage 4 and 5 elective history for Stage 4 and/or Stage 5 life skills outcomes – identified with the Stage 4 and Stage 5 outcomes

What are the differences 7-10? content is organised in overviews and depth studies revised chronological historical periods key historical concepts and skills continuums

Key features: objectives and outcomes organised using knowledge and understanding, and skills objectives four knowledge and understanding outcomes six historical skills outcomes six key historical concepts An emphasis on the skills of historical inquiry and historical concepts. The syllabus objectives use a format that is familiar to secondary history teachers. The objectives are used to organise the syllabus outcomes into the strands of knowledge and understanding, and historical skills. The objectives (and outcomes) can be tracked across K-10 to support student learning. Ten outcomes are described for both Stages 4 and 5. The organisation of learning provides significant opportunities for students to engage in historical inquiry that develops deep understanding. Review outcomes at: http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/hsie/history-k10/outcomes-k10/ or Download the continuum of learning of outcomes, concepts and skills at: http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/assets/global/files/history_continuum.pdf Life skills outcomes at: http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/hsie/history-k10/years-710-life-skills-outcomes/

Key features: concepts and skills continuity and change cause and effect perspectives empathetic understanding significance contestability Skills: comprehension, chronology, terms and concepts analysis and use of sources perspectives and interpretations empathetic understanding research explanation and communication Historical concepts are an inclusion in the Australian curriculum and are emphasised in the NSW History K-10 Syllabus. They are described for each stage of learning K-10. The concepts describe student engagement with the content at each stage. The historical concepts integrate historical knowledge and understanding and skills to provide an important description of student understanding of history. A continuum of concepts is available at: http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/assets/global/files/history_continuum.pdf. Historical skills are identified and described for each stage of learning K-10. The skills describe student engagement with the historical inquiry process for each stage. Historical skills interconnect with historical concepts, knowledge and understanding. A continuum of skills is available at: http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/assets/global/files/history_continuum.pdf. A continuum of learning is described for concepts and skills.

Key features: stage statements summaries of the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes that have been developed by students as a result of achieving the outcomes for each stage of learning Stage statements Stage statements, along with the syllabus outcomes, incorporate the Australian Curriculum achievement standards. The stage statements are useful for gauging student progress throughout a stage of learning, and may provide a reference for reporting student achievement.

Learning across the curriculum Learning across the curriculum content assists students to achieve broad learning outcomes and includes: cross-curriculum priorities general capabilities The Board of Studies NSW has also identified three other areas as important learning for all students: Civics and citizenship Difference and diversity Work and enterprise The seven General capabilities and three Cross-curriculum priorities of the Australian Curriculum have been embedded in the new content of the NSW syllabuses as 13 Cross-curriculum areas, as appropriate to individual Learning Areas at this time. The 13 Cross-curriculum areas are largely based on those currently in all Board of Studies NSW syllabuses. For a full description of each priority for history go to: http://news.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/index.cfm/2012/11/12/Learning-across-the-curriculum. Learning across the curriculum content is incorporated, and identified by icons, in the content of the History K–10 Syllabus. <link http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/hsie/history-k10/learning-across-the-curriculum/ > In History Years 7-10, more detailed information about Learning across the curriculum is found on pages 31-33 of the hard copy and pages 29- 31 of the PDF version.

Cross-curriculum priorities Three cross-curriculum priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia sustainability In History Years 7-10, cross-curriculum priorities enable students to develop understanding about and address the contemporary issues they face. Learning across the curriculum content is incorporated, and identified by icons, in the content of the History K–10 Syllabus. <link http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/hsie/history-k10/learning-across-the-curriculum/ >

General capabilities Seven general capabilities: critical and creative thinking ethical understanding information and communication technology capability intercultural understanding literacy numeracy personal and social capability General capabilities encompass the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to assist students to live and work successfully in the 21st century.

Interconnection of history syllabus elements Content outcomes objectives key concepts skills stage statements learning across the curriculum Historical concepts, skills, objectives, outcomes, learning across the curriculum and stage statements interconnect in supporting the history syllabus content K-10. Each element, whilst described separately, is integrated in classroom practice. A continuum of learning is provided for objectives, outcomes, concepts and skills. < http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/assets/global/files/history_continuum.pdf>.

K-6 History summary Early Stage 1 Personal and family histories Stage 1 Present and past family life and The Past in the Present Stage 2 Community and remembrance and First contacts Stage 3 The Australian colonies and Australia as a nation The Human Society and Its Environment K-6 (1999) syllabus has four content strand organisers: Change and continuity; Cultures; Environments and Social Systems and Structures. For the first time, primary teachers will have a separate History syllabus which the Board of Studies NSW advises replaces only the Change and continuity strand. Primary content – a summary: Early Stage 1 Personal and family history is about a students’ own history and that of their family. Stage 1 Present and past family life is about similarities and differences in family life, past and present. The Past and in the present is about changes and continuities in the local area. Stage 2 Community and remembrance is about identity and diversity in local and national communities. First contacts is about world exploration and British settlement of Australia. Stage 3 The Australian colonies is about the development of Australia as a nation. Australia as a nation is about the development of Australian democracy.

7-10 History summary The Ancient World (approx. 60,000 BC – c. AD 650) The Ancient to the Modern World (c. AD 650 – c. 1750) The Making of the Modern World (1750 – 1945) The Modern World and Australia (1945 - present) The four historical periods described in the syllabus overviews provide a clear chronological structure to student learning 7-10. Stage 4 - The Ancient World (approx. 60,000 BC – c. AD 650) The Ancient to the Modern World (c. AD 650 – c. 1750) Stage 5 - The Making of the Modern World (1750 – 1945) The Modern World and Australia (1945 - present) The chronological structure supports students to understand the interconnection of world events on specific timeframes and the opportunity to study selected aspects in detail.