Year 4 HASS - Explorers Unit- WA Curriculum

Aligned to the Western Australian HASS Curriculum 9 Lessons Engaging, Structured & Research‑Rich

This Year 4 HASS unit, written specifically for the Western Australian Curriculum, is a complete 9‑lesson program exploring major world explorers and their impact on Australia, Africa and Europe. Students investigate the journeys of significant navigators, the continents they travelled through, and the cultural, environmental and economic exchanges that occurred as a result of exploration. The unit also builds strong geographical knowledge, including the characteristics and locations of Africa and Europe in relation to Australia.

This resource is WA‑only and does not include Australian Curriculum Version 9 content.

✨ What Makes This Unit Exceptional

✔️ WA Curriculum Aligned

Every lesson directly targets the Year 4 WA HASS outcomes for Geography, History, and Inquiry Skills, including:

• Characteristics of Africa and Europe
• Journeys and impacts of world navigators
• Contacts and exchanges between societies
• Researching, analysing and communicating historical and geographical information

✔️ Clear, Simple Lesson Structure

Each lesson is broken into 5–6 easy‑to‑follow steps, helping you stay focused on student learning rather than planning.

✔️ Rich, Research‑Based Learning

Students engage in meaningful research tasks using maps, retrieval charts, worksheets, presentations and guided inquiry.

✔️ High Engagement Through Cooperative Learning

Lessons incorporate strategies such as Think‑Pair‑Share, Community Circle, Numbered Heads, Card Clusters, Brainstorming and Discussion to keep students active and involved.

✔️ Worksheets & Resources Included

All worksheets, maps, retrieval charts, presentations and research templates are provided as ready‑to‑use files.

📘 What Students Will Learn

Across nine lessons, students will:

• Locate continents, oceans and global features on a world map
• Identify key characteristics of Europe and Africa, including countries, climates, vegetation and native animals
• Compare the two continents using visual and written evidence
• Understand reasons for European exploration (trade, wealth, curiosity, competition, new routes)
• Explore the impact of exploration on societies, including cultural exchange, trade, technology and ideas
• Investigate the journey of Vasco da Gama, including who he met, what was exchanged and how societies changed
• Present findings using appropriate geographical and historical terminology

📦 What’s Included

• Editable planner (6 pages)
• Worksheets (21 pages) (non‑editable)
• Resources (33 pages) (non‑editable)
• Editable PowerPoint presentation (119 slides)
• Editable grading guide (1 page)
• Editable learning intentions & success criteria

🎯 WA Curriculum Alignment

Geography

• Characteristics of Africa and Europe and their location in relation to Australia (WA4HKUG1)

History

• Journey of a world navigator, explorer or trader up to the late 18th century, including contacts and exchanges with societies in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania (WA4HAKUH4)

Inquiry Skills

• Identify current understanding and develop focus questions (WA4HASKQ1–2)
• Locate, collect and record information from a variety of sources (WA4HASKQ3–4)
• Recognise ethical protocols when gathering information (WA4HASKQ4)
• Select relevant information and interpret data (WA4HASKA1–2)
• Identify different points of view (WA4HASKA3)
• Draw conclusions and use decision‑making processes (WA4HASKE1–2)
• Present findings using appropriate forms and terminology (WA4HASKC1)
• Reflect on learning and act on findings (WA4HASKC2)

This unit gives you everything you need to teach Year 4 HASS with confidence — structured lessons, rich content, and engaging activities that bring global exploration to life for your students.

→ Please note, other than where stated, this product is not editable.

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