Australian Curriculum Learning Objectives

migration to australia

Year 6 history

Australian curriculum Learning objectives

•  ACHHK115[1]: Stories of groups of people who migrated to Australia (including from ONE Asian country) and the reasons they migrated, such as World War II and Australian migration programs since the war.

Resources required

•  We Were Refugees – Fred Kasparek[2] (Duration: 3.19). Facilities to view captioned online video.

Lesson outcome: Students learn about the story of Fred Kasparek’s immigration from Czechoslovakia to Australia via an interview with Fred himself.

Lesson outline:

1.  Introduce lesson by revisiting the following terms with students: immigration, immigrant and refugee. Brainstorm these terms with students, discussing why people might need to flee their country. Highlight that immigration occurs for a wide variety of reasons.

2.  Briefly explain the relevant context of Czechoslovakia, identifying that political unrest at times in the past has resulted in the necessary displacement of families. Highlight the fact that Australia has long been perceived as a desirable place of refuge.

3.  Students view ‘We Were Refugees – Fred Kasparek’. At 0.16, pause video to emphasise the on-screen text which provides valuable context for students.

4.  Facilitate discussion with students about their initial reactions to the video.

5.  Students re-watch ‘We Were Refugees – Fred Kasparek’.

6.  Allocate students into small groups in which they chronologically sequence Fred’s story. Students should identify the key events in his life, according to Fred’s interview.

7.  In the same small groups, students share their understandings about immigration to Australia and refugees. Encourage students to consider how they have developed these understandings, whether it is from television media, their family’s experience etc. (Note: This activity should be conducted at the discretion of the teacher, bearing in mind the diverse experiences within the particular student group).

8.  Volunteer students share a summary of their group’s discussion with the rest of the class.

Homework/extension

Students research further the context of Czechoslovakia at the time of Fred Kasparek’s immigration. They could then research the prevalence of refugees from Czechoslovakia in Australia at the time.

Opportunity for further activity

This lesson could form part of a larger unit on diversity or multiculturalism in Australia.

[1] http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Curriculum/ContentDescription/ACHHK115

[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi1IpwVZU4c