Discovering Democracy Queensland > Effective Practice >

New Effective Practices

Classroom Rules

Year Level: Middle Primary

SOSE Outcome Levels: 2 and 3

Author: Yvonne Young and Andrea French
Position: Teacher and Teacher-Librarian
School: Torquay State School

This lesson sequence is devised as an introductory unit to be used at the start of the school year with a newly formed group of students. By looking at rules and laws in society, students will become aware of the value and need for rules in the classroom before collaboratively developing a set of classroom rules. The sequence refers directly to Discovering Democracy resources.

Download the unit new window 36k

Images of Australia

Year Level:10

SOSE Outcome Levels: 5 and 6

Author: Sharon Morris and Sean McNevin
Position: Teacher and Teacher-Librarian
School: Hervey Bay State High School

The aim of this unit is to investigate and evaluate representations of Australian national identity.

Download the unit new window 32k

Participating in Our Community: An Environment Unit

Year Level: 7

SOSE Outcome Level: 4

Author: Sandra Sytsma and Adam Schinnick
Position: Teacher-Librarian and Teacher
School: Gympie South Primary School

Students understand Australia's ecological links to the work and can apply decision-making processes to contribute to actions that support global environmental issues.

Download the unit new window 35k

The Role of Media in Australia's History

Year Level: 6 / 7

SOSE Outcome Levels: 3 and 4

Author: Rachel Lewis
Position: Teacher
School: Beachmere State School

This lesson sequence looks at the role of the media in communicating historical events such as Federation, the 8 Hour Workday and the Freedom Rides. The sequence refers directly to the Discovering Democracy resources.

Download the unit new window 38k

Government and You

Year Level: 9

SOSE Outcome Levels: 5

Author: Emerita Distor
Position: Teacher
School: Beenleigh State High School

This unit was written and designed with our Year 9 students in mind. However, core activities and strategies can be modified to best suit your own classroom situation and your school's available resources. The layout of worksheets were metamorphoses of the ones I came across from different sources and may also be converted to suit units of other Key Learning Areas. Extension activities are also included to cater and engage those enthusiastic learners in our classrooms. With good intentions and degree of success, I have likewise taken on board some of Gardner's and Bloom's cognitive and intellectual callisthenics while preparing all activities.

The lesson plan matrix format for this unit was first developed by teachers from my previous school, North Mackay High. I find the format very effective and user-friendly and for that reason I am very grateful to the practicality and dedication of my former cohort. Thankfully, the same qualities are not difficult to find in state-run schools. My colleagues in the Social Science Department in Beenleigh State High are equally passionate about unit development and their support and feedback have been helpful in creating this SOSE unit kit.

Download the unit new window 2.5M

^ Top of page