Sample work History Stage 5: A migrant's story – Structured report
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Individually, students write a report on one migrant's experiences in Australia in the post-war period. The experiences described should be based on the student's own research or personal interview. The report may be presented as a historical account or a first person empathetic account.
Time allowed: Students are allowed approximately two 50-minute periods to prepare the report.
Context
Students, working in groups, have been researching the experiences of migrants in Australia in the post-war period.
Outcomes
A student:
- 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:
- research, select and use relevant historical information from a range of sources
- describe the experiences of a migrant in post-war Australia
- explains a perspective and interpretation of the past.
Graded student work samples
Work sample feedback
Kerry
Kerry has demonstrated thorough knowledge and understanding of the migrant experience. The response has been well structured and provides a detailed description. Some problems encountered by migrants have been identified and there is a clear understanding of changing freedoms.
Refining the sequence of events and providing additional detail in areas such as developments associated with new migrants would improve the response. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.
Riley
Riley has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of the migrant experience. The decisions and actions of the migrant have been described and explained in adequate depth but there are some generalisations that need supporting detail.
The response is well structured and uses historical terms and concepts appropriately. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Lou
Lou has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of the migrant experience through the description of events and explanation of reasons for migration. The first person account has been sustained and there is sound description of some experiences in Australia, although these tend to be generalisations.
There are some errors with dates and the use of terms, and the response would benefit from more detail on the migrant's experiences on the ship and in Australia. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Chris
Chris has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of the migrant experience. The account is empathetic and narrative in nature with an emphasis on the personal views of the migrant. The response is logically organised but contains minor inaccuracies in expression, is repetitive and lacks fluency.
The focus is on trivial differences and similarities with little analysis and the report would benefit from the inclusion of more detail and specific examples. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Terry
Terry has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the migrant experience. Some general information about post-war immigration experiences in Australia has been provided but there is little detail on the chosen individual’s experiences.
The report alternates between providing an empathetic account and an historic account. Some historical terms and concepts have been used but the communication of information lacks clarity. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.
Sam
Sam has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the migrant experience. The first person account has been largely sustained but the response is brief and lacks detail. There is limited description of experiences in the new country and little explanation of decisions or the reasons for migrating. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.
Bailey
Bailey has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the migrant experience. A brief overview of a migrant’s experiences has been provided but there is little description and no explanation of the perspective.
The account relies on a number of stated events and contains little historical information, although the details provided appear to be accurate. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.