Activity: Magna Carta – The story of our freedom – Years 9 & 10

Quick Summary: Students will explore the evolution of democratic ideas and principles stemming from Magna Carta, and how these ideas have shaped key features of Australian democracy, such as the values of freedom, equality, fairness and justice. 

To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the Australian Human Rights Commission has partnered with Cool Australia to help students develop their understanding about the evolution of human rights since 1215 and the impact that Magna Carta has had on our human rights and freedoms in Australia today.

 

Learning goals:

• Students understand the historical importance of the Magna Carta
• Students learn about Australia’s role in the negotiation of the UN Charter and the drafting of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights
• Students discuss the meaning and importance of human rights principles such as the rule of law, the right to justice and democratic representation
• Students undertake research on three groups in Australia who historically have struggled to receive recognition of their human rights and freedoms: women, migrants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 
• Students explore ways that young people can be active and engaged citizens who stand up for human rights issues.

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content description:

Year 9 History 

• Key events and ideas in the development of Australian self-government and democracy, including women’s voting rights (ACDSEH091)

Year 9 Civics and Citizenship 

• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts (ACHCS089)

Year 10 History 

• The origins and significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Australia’s involvement in the development of the Declaration (ACDSEH023)
• The continuing nature of efforts to secure civil rights and freedoms in Australia and throughout the world, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) (ACDSEH143)
• Identify and analyse the perspectives of people from the past  (ACHHS190)
• Use chronological sequencing to demonstrate the relationship between events and developments in different periods and places (ACHHS182)

Year 10 Civics and Citizenship 

• Australia’s roles and responsibilities at a global level, for example provision of foreign aid, peacekeeping, participation in international organisations and the United Nations (ACHCK091)
• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts (ACHCS102)

General capabilities:  Critical and creative thinking, Ethical understanding, Personal and social capability

Australian Curriculum cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture OI.9

Syllabus Outcomes: HT5-2, HT5-3, HT5-7.

Topic: Human rights 

Time required: 4 x 60 mins – plus additional homework time for student research and reflection activity

Level of teacher scaffolding: High – facilitate student activities.

Resources required:

• Video:  Magna Carta – the story of our freedom by the Australian Human Rights Commission
• Infographic: Magna Carta interactive infographic by the Australian Human Rights Commission
• Website: Human Rights Calendar by the Australian Human Rights Commission
• Website: Get Involved by the Australian Human Rights Commission
• Website: A list of all the clauses of the 1215 version of the Magna Carta 
• Website: The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Additional resources: 

• Website: Racism. It stops with me by the Australian Human Rights Commission
• Website: Close the Gap: Indigenous Health Campaign by the Australian Human Rights Commission
• Website: Close the Gap by Oxfam Australia
• Website: Close the Gap by National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
• Interactive infographic: Choose Your Own Statistics: Life Expectancy by ABC Splash

Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for extension and homework through research activities.

Keywords: Magna Carta, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom, justice, equality, fairness, democracy, citizenship.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.