Sample work History Stage 5: Experiences of the depression
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Students work in pairs and create a dialogue between 2 characters who had different experiences of the Great Depression. The characters can be fictitious but their experiences must reflect actual historical circumstances.
Possible pairs of characters can be suggested, for example a child from a family that was evicted from their home and a child whose family was not adversely affected by the Depression; an Aboriginal unemployed person and a non-Aboriginal person; a city person and a country person. Dialogues may be presented as a live performance, script, audio tape, videotape, cartoon or story board, or exchange of letters.
Context
This activity is part of Topic 3: Australia between the Wars, in the Mandatory Stage 5 course and focuses on the experiences of different social groups during the Great Depression and the impact of the Depression on their lives. Students have previously learned about the experiences of different groups during World War I. For this activity, students have learned about the causes and effects of the Great Depression and have examined primary source material to investigate the experiences of different social groups.
Teachers should note that the ICT component of Outcome 5.10 below is not a compulsory requirement for this activity. However, this aspect of the outcome would need to be addressed in another activity by the end of the course.
Outcomes
A student:
- 5.1 explains social, political and cultural developments and events and evaluates their impact on Australian life
- 5.6 uses sources appropriately in an historical inquiry
- 5.7 explains different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of the past
- 5.10 selects and uses appropriate oral, written and other forms, including ICT, to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- describe the different experiences and perspectives of the chosen individuals
- explain the impact of the Great Depression on the chosen individuals
- use relevant historical information from a number of sources
- select and use appropriate forms to communicate effectively about the past.
Graded student work samples
Work sample feedback
Shannon
Shannon has demonstrated detailed and extensive knowledge of the cultural history of the Depression in a well constructed and sustained response. Information has been synthesised to differentiate the typical experiences in the Depression for men, women, children, those unemployed and the wealthy. It starkly contrasts the experiences of rich and poor, and demonstrates attitudes of many of the wealthy.
Although the explanation of the impacts is more explicit in the first letter than the second, the response perceptively communicates the experiences of the chosen individuals. The use of historical terms is not completely accurate, but this response still displays characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.
Jo
Jo has demonstrated detailed and extensive knowledge of the cultural history of the Depression. Substantial relevant historical information, ranging from positive developments in consumer aviation and entertainment to the difficulties experienced by the rural sector, has been included. The application of historical terms and concepts is consistent and the dialogue is well written and believable, adding to the authenticity of the response.
Jo has engaged with the differing perspectives of those who lived during the Great Depression, including those who were not significantly affected by it and those, such as the poor farmer, who were seriously affected. This response displays the characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.
Casey
Casey has demonstrated thorough knowledge and understanding of the cultural history of the Depression. An explanation of the Depression's impact on a number of people and reasons for the perspectives presented have been provided.
The strong empathy, particularly with Ernie, demonstrates a high level of understanding of the period. There is some evidence of the use of a range of sources. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.
Lou
Lou has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of the cultural history of the Depression. A simple evaluation of the impact of the Depression on Australian life has been made using two differing perspectives, but the focus is more on earlier history than the Depression.
Sound use of historical terms and concepts is apparent in this well-written response. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 5