7 History

Topic 1. Out of Africa

Key inquiry questions in 7 History 

How do we know about the ancient past?

 Why and where did the earliest societies develop?

What emerged as the defining characteristics of ancient societies?

Topic 1. Out of Africa - 2 weeks

• The theory that people moved out of Africa around 60 000 BC (BCE) and migrated to other parts of the world, including Australia

• The evidence for the emergence and establishment of ancient societies (including art, iconography, writing tools and pottery)

• Key features of paleolithic communities

• Key feature of the neolithic revolution 

• How historians and archaeologists investigate history, including excavation and archival research

• Depth study: The Olmecs

Topic 2. Ancient Australia - 4 weeks

• Physical features and megafauna of ancient Australia

• Migration to Australia

• Significant beliefs, values and practices of the ancient Australians, everyday life, dreamtime stories and the Archeological record

• The nature of sources for ancient Australia and what they reveal about Australia’s past in the ancient period

• Depth study: The Dreamtime

Topic 3. Ancient Greece - 4 weeks

• Physical features of Greece (such as its mountainous landscape) that shaped ancient Greek civilisation

• Daily life in Ancient Greece

• Roles of key groups in Athenian and Spartan society (citizens, women and slaves)

• The influence of philosophy, law and religion

•  Depth study: The Greek Olympics

Topic 4. Ancient China - 4 weeks

• Physical features of China (such as the Yellow River) that shaped ancient Chinese civilisation

• Roles of key groups in Chinese society in this period (such as kings, emperors, scholars, craftsmen, women),

• The influence of law and religion

• Significant beliefs, values and practices of Chinese society

• Depth study: The Silk Road and the expansion of trade 

The BEST project - 2 weeks