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 highly topical lesson, students explore the power of mass movements of people. Using a collaborative approach, they gain insight into how people en masse can wield power and how they may be blocked from achieving their aims. Students analyse the portrayal of ‘people power’ in The Final Quarter, before embarking on their own research into a historical instance of people power. Students are scaffolded to consider both the context of these circumstances and the way they were represented in the media. Ultimately, students gain deep insight into a range of real-world examples of people power being used and consider critically how people power is represented.
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 how groups of people can wield power in different ways.
- Students understand how representations of people power may emphasise their power or powerlessness.
- Students understand how different historical or social contexts affect people’s use of power and the representation of that power.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 9 English:
- Interpret and compare how representations of people and culture in literary texts are drawn from different historical, social and cultural contexts (ACELT1633)
- Explore and reflect on personal understanding of the world and significant human experience gained from interpreting various representations of life matters in texts (ACELT1635)
Syllabus outcomes: EN5-7D, EN5-8D
General capabilities: Literacy, Intercultural Understanding, Creative and Critical Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding
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.
Topic: Learning Through Film, Social Issues, Indigenous Education
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: The Final Quarter – Mechanisms Of Power – English – Year 9
Time required: 100+ mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion and online research.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Devices with internet capability
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student
- 10 Ways People Power Can Change The World.
Keywords: research, digital literacy, analysis, visual representations, perspectives, power, community, The Final Quarter, documentary, Adam Goodes, mass, mass movements, people, crowd, collective action.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
