Year 4 HASS - History Unit - Australian Curriculum

This comprehensive Year 4 HASS History unit on the First Fleet and the establishment of the first British colony in Australia explores the causes of colonisation, the experiences of those involved, and the profound effects on First Nations Australians. Across 9 carefully sequenced, curriculum-aligned lessons, students investigate colonisation from multiple perspectives, including how First Nations Australians viewed the arrival as an invasion, while developing strong historical inquiry skills in line with the Australian Curriculum Version 9.

Designed to be taught over a full term, this ready-to-use unit provides everything you need to confidently teach this significant period of Australian history with clarity, sensitivity and depth, saving hours of planning time.

An alternative WA Curriculum planner (2026+) is also included, making this unit ideal for Western Australian teachers preparing for the new requirements.

Why Teachers Love This Unit

✔ 9 Structured Lessons

Each lesson follows a clear 5–6 step format to keep teaching focused and manageable. Key concepts are explicitly highlighted so you can prioritise meaningful discussion, historical thinking and student understanding.

✔ Strong Curriculum Alignment

The editable planner includes explicit Australian Curriculum links, supporting confident planning, assessment and reporting.

✔ Engaging & Thought-Provoking Learning

Created by MrsAmy123, known for engaging and cooperative learning, this unit moves beyond surface-level content. Students explore different perspectives, analyse historical sources and build empathy and critical thinking skills. While many lessons include worksheets (with answers), some focus on discussion and collaborative tasks to deepen understanding.

✔ Clear & Practical Assessment Support

The editable grading guide (A–E) outlines what achievement looks like based on two activities and is directly linked to the Year 4 HASS Achievement Standard, making assessment straightforward and consistent.

What’s Included

♦ Editable Planner (5 pages) + WA Curriculum alternative
♦ Worksheets + Answers (20 pages)
♦ Supporting Resources (33 pages)
♦ Editable Grading Guide (1 page)
♦ Editable Learning Intentions and Success Criteria

🎯 Full Curriculum Alignment (Version 9)

History

• The causes of the establishment of the first British colony in Australia in 1788 (AC9HS4K02)
• The experiences of individuals and groups, including military and civilian officials, and convicts involved in the establishment of the first British colony (AC9HS4K03)
• The effects of contact with other people on First Nations Australians and their Countries/Places following the arrival of the First Fleet and how this was viewed by First Nations Australians as an invasion (AC9HS4K04)

Inquiry Skills

Questioning and research:

• Develop questions to guide investigations about people, events, places and issues (AC9HS4S01)
• Locate, collect and record information and data from a range of sources, including annotated timelines and maps (AC9HS4S02)

Interpreting, analysing and evaluating:

• Interpret information and data displayed in different formats (AC9HS4S03)
• Analyse information and data, and identify perspectives (AC9HS4S04)

Concluding and decision-making:

• Draw conclusions based on analysis of information (AC9HS4S05)
• Propose actions or responses to issues or challenges that consider possible effects of actions (AC9HS4S06)

Communicating:

• Present descriptions and explanations, using ideas from sources and relevant subject-specific terms (AC9HS4S07)

🎯 WA Curriculum Outcome

Stories of the First Fleet, including reasons for the journey, who travelled to Australia, and their experiences following arrival (WA4HAKUH2)

The nature of contact between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and others and the impact that these interactions and colonisation had on the environment and people’s lives (WA4HAKUH3)

→Other than where stated, this product is not editable ←

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