The Final Quarter - Media Power

Australian Curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 9 English:

• Analyse how the construction and interpretation of texts, including media texts, can be influenced by cultural perspectives and other texts (ACELY1739)
• Use interaction skills to present and discuss an idea and to influence and engage an audience by selecting persuasive language, varying voice tone, pitch, and pace, and using elements such as music and sound effects (ACELY1811)
• Use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyse texts, comparing and evaluating representations of an event, issue, situation or character in different texts (ACELY1744)

Syllabus outcomes: EN5-2A, EN5-3B, EN5-8D

General capabilities: Literacy, Intercultural Understanding, Creative and Critical Thinking

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (OI.6, OI,9)

Relevant parts of Year 9 achievement standards: Students create texts that respond to issues, interpreting and integrating ideas from other texts. They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, comparing and evaluating responses to ideas and issues.

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: The Final Quarter – Mechanisms Of Power – English – Year 9

Time required: 80 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion and debate.

• Device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Critical thinking
• Social skills

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.