Year 5 HASS - History Unit - Australian Curriculum

This Australian Curriculum Year 5 HASS unit is a complete 10‑lesson program exploring colonial life in Australia, including the economic, political and social causes of colonisation, the impact on First Nations Australians and the environment, and the role of significant individuals and groups in shaping the colonies. Students investigate key developments and events that influenced life in early Australia through engaging, inquiry‑based lessons.

With an editable planner, editable PowerPoint, editable grading guide, and editable learning intentions/success criteria, you get the structure and flexibility you need - while all worksheets, posters and lesson resources are provided as ready‑to‑use, non‑editable files.
A WA Curriculum version of the planner is also included.

✨ What Makes This Unit Exceptional

✔️ Editable Planner (Plus WA Curriculum Version)

A clean, succinct planner outlining each lesson in 5–6 simple steps. Includes Australian Curriculum links and a resources‑needed column. Fully editable so you can adapt it to your class and timetable.

✔️ Editable PowerPoint for Every Lesson

A matching PowerPoint that guides students through key ideas with:

• Learning intentions & success criteria
• Key discussion prompts
• Visuals and display resources
• Worksheets and answer keys shown at the right moment

Perfect for Smartboards and TVs - and optional if you prefer to minimise screen time.

✔️ Worksheets, Posters & Lesson Resources (Non‑Editable)

All resources are provided as separate, ready‑to‑print files. No giant PDFs, no scrolling, no searching. Everything is organised and easy to access.

✔️ Editable Grading Guide

A huge time‑saver during reporting. Shows what A–E looks like using two tasks from the unit, aligned directly to the Year 5 HASS Achievement Standard.

✔️ Engaging, Hands‑On Learning

Lessons use a wide range of cooperative learning strategies. Some lessons feature worksheets, while others focus on discussion, movement, and collaborative inquiry.

📘 What’s Included

• Editable planner (5 pages) + WA Curriculum version
• Lesson resources including answer keys (17 pages) (non‑editable)
• Editable PowerPoint presentation (100+ slides)
• Editable grading guide (1 page)
• Editable learning intentions & success criteria

🎯 Full Curriculum Alignment

Version 9 Outcomes

History

• The economic, political and social causes of the establishment of British colonies in Australia after 1800.
• The impact of the development of British colonies in Australia on the lives of First Nations Australians, the colonists and convicts, and on the natural environment.
• The role of a significant individual or group, including First Nations Australians and those who migrated to Australia, in the development of events in an Australian colony.

Inquiry Skills

• Develop questions to investigate people, events, developments, places and systems.
• Locate, collect and organise information and data from primary and secondary sources in a range of formats.
• Evaluate information and data to identify patterns, trends or relationships.
• Evaluate primary and secondary sources to determine origin, purpose and perspectives.
• Develop evidence‑based conclusions.
• Propose actions or responses to issues or challenges and assess possible effects.
• Present descriptions and explanations using ideas from sources and relevant terms and conventions.

WA Curriculum Outcomes

History

• The economic, political and social reasons for establishing British colonies in Australia after 1800.
• The patterns of colonial development and settlement and how this impacted the environment and daily lives of different inhabitants.
• The contribution or significance of one individual or group in shaping the Swan River Colony, including their motivations and actions.

Skills

• Identify current understandings, consider misconceptions and personal views.
• Develop and refine inquiry questions.
• Locate and collect information from appropriate primary and secondary sources.
• Record information using a variety of methods.
• Use ethical protocols when gathering information.
• Use criteria to determine relevance of information.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Identify different perspectives.
• Draw and justify conclusions using data from texts, tables, graphs and maps.
• Use decision‑making processes to assess possible effects.
• Present findings using subject‑specific terminology and concepts.
• Reflect on learning, identify new understandings and act on findings.

This unit gives you the clarity, structure and time‑saving features teachers love - with engaging lessons that help students understand the foundations of colonial Australia and its lasting impact.

→ Only the planner, PowerPoint, grading guide, and learning intentions/success criteria are editable. All other resources are provided as ready‑to‑use files.