Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Retired AFL star Adam Goodes is known to many for his resilient journey in the face of detrimental treatment by AFL spectators and the media beginning in 2013.
In this lesson, students will analyse and evaluate real-world defences used by people in the film, The Final Quarter. Students will be prompted to consider the communicative purpose of language used to defend themselves and/or others and when they have seen or heard defences. They will then work to analyse and compare a range of defences that use different tactics. Students will be supported to become critical thinkers, through analysing potential audience responses. They will consider the nuances involved in defences, before ultimately creating their own criteria for evaluating a defence.
Using only archival footage aired at the time, The Final Quarter holds a mirror to Australia and is an opportunity to reconsider what happened on and off the football field. Learn more about the film here.
We highly recommend that students view the film in its entirety before participating in subsequent lessons. Our Watching the Film lessons are designed to support you in facilitating this process. Given the content, it is also important for teachers to communicate with parents and guardians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students before playing the film and/or engaging with the teaching and learning resources.
Note: This film may not be suitable for viewing by all young people. Teachers are advised to use their discretion when deciding whether to show this film. If teaching in a context with a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, it is imperative that guidance is sought from the Principal and Aboriginal Education Officer (or equivalent) prior to screening the film.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand the conceptual features of a defence.
- Students understand how defences can focus on intentions, actions and impacts.
- Students understand what makes an effective defence.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 8 English:
- Use comprehension strategies to interpret and evaluate texts by reflecting on the validity of content and the credibility of sources, including finding evidence in the text for the author’s point of view (ACELY1734)
- Recognise and explain differing viewpoints about the world, cultures, individual people and concerns represented in texts (ACELT1807)
Syllabus outcomes: EN4-2A, EN4-8D
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (OI.6)
Relevant parts of Year 8 achievement standards: Students interpret texts, questioning the reliability of sources of ideas and information. They select evidence from the text to show how events, situations and people can be represented from different viewpoints. They listen for and identify different emphases in texts, using that understanding to elaborate on discussions.
Topic: Learning Through Film, Social Issues, Indigenous Education
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: The Final Quarter – Purposeful Language – English – Year 8
Time required: 65 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: analysis, critical thinking, comparison, evaluation, speaking and listening, audiovisual, documentary, The Final Quarter, Adam Goodes, defense, defence, language, defending.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher Preparation
