Activity: The Final Quarter – Responding To The Film – Years 7 & 8

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 investigate the achievements and experiences of Adam Goodes and find people that have shared similar experiences and achievements. They will then identify experiences that are common with others and explore reasons why some of his experiences are not so common. After viewing the trailer for The Final Quarter and discussing the themes in the documentary, students will watch the full-length version of the film. Students will be supported after the viewing of the film to share their thoughts, emotions, and ideas through a Seed Prompt Discussion activity. They will also be invited to complete an individual reflection with a focus on promoting action or future decision making.

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 you use this lesson to guide your students through the process of viewing the film in its entirety. Our Watching the Film lessons are designed to support you in facilitating this process, from introducing the film through to a full post-viewing debrief. 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 are familiar with the context and continued significance of The Final Quarter film, as well as with the context of race relations and reconciliation in Australia
• Students understand the key themes and purpose of the film
• Students are aware of other people’s reactions to the film
• Students know how to respond constructively to the themes in the film and be sensitive towards the emotional responses of themselves and others
• Students understand that they may have strong reactions to the film and know where to go to find support

21st century skills: 

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions:

Year 7 English

• Identify and explore ideas and viewpoints about events, issues and characters represented in texts drawn from different historical, social and cultural contexts (ACELT1619)
• Recognise and analyse the ways that characterisation, events and settings are combined in narratives, and discuss the purposes and appeal of different approaches (ACELT1622)

Year 8 English

• Explore the ways that ideas and viewpoints in literary texts drawn from different historical, social and cultural contexts may reflect or challenge the values of individuals and groups (ACELT1626)
• Share, reflect on, clarify and evaluate opinions and arguments about aspects of literary texts (ACELT1627)
• Recognise and explain differing viewpoints about the world, cultures, individual people and concerns represented in texts (ACELT1807)

Year 7 & 8 HPE

• Practise and apply strategies to seek help for themselves or others (ACPPS072)
• Analyse factors that influence emotions, and develop strategies to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity (ACPPS075)
• Investigate the benefits to individuals and communities of valuing diversity and promoting inclusivity (ACPPS079)

Year 7 Civics & Citizenship

• How values, including freedom, respect, inclusion, civility, responsibility, compassion, equality and a ‘fair go’, can promote cohesion within Australian society (ACHCK052)
• How groups, such as religious and cultural groups, express their particular identities; and how this influences their perceptions of others and vice versa (ACHCK053)
• Critically analyse information and ideas from a range of sources in relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS056)
• Appreciate multiple perspectives and use strategies to mediate differences (ACHCS057)
• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australia’s democracy (ACHCS060)

Year 8 Civics & Citizenship

• Different perspectives about Australia’s national identity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and what it means to be Australian (ACHCK066)
• Critically analyse information and ideas from a range of sources in relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS070)
• Appreciate multiple perspectives and use strategies to mediate differences (ACHCS071)
• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australia’s democracy (ACHCS074)

Syllabus outcomes: EN4-1A, EN4-5C, EN4-8D, PDHPE4.2, PDHPE4.3, PDHPE4.11, PDHPE4.13

General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding  

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (OI.5, OI.6, OI.9)

Relevant parts of Year 7 English achievement standards:
Students explain issues and ideas from a variety of sources, analysing supporting evidence and implied meaning. They select specific details from texts to develop their own response, recognising that texts reflect different viewpoints. They listen for and explain different perspectives in texts.

Relevant parts of Year 8 English achievement standards:
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.

Relevant parts of Year 7 & 8 HPE achievement standards:
Students evaluate the impact on wellbeing of relationships and valuing diversity. They analyse factors that influence emotional responses.

Relevant parts of Year 7 Civics & Citizenship achievement standards:
Students explain the diverse nature of Australian society and identify the importance of shared values in promoting a cohesive society.They consider different points of view on civics and citizenship issues. They identify ways they can be active and informed citizens.

Relevant parts of Year 8 Civics & Citizenship achievement standards:
They identify the diverse belief systems in Australia and analyse issues about national identity and the factors that contribute to people’s sense of belonging. They explain different points of view on civics and citizenship issues. They identify ways they can be active and informed citizens in different contexts.

Topic: Learning Through Film, Social Issues, Indigenous Education

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work The Final Quarter – Watching The Film.

Time required: 150 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion and support student understanding of key concepts and themes.

Resources required:

• Adam Goodes Profile (optional)
• Device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Devices capable of accessing the internet for research – one per group
• Film Timings and Questions (optional)
• Handling Sensitive Topics and Issues (optional)
• Seed Discussion Posters (one copy)
• Social Themes In The Final Quarter (optional)
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, reconciliation, racism, identity, belonging, standing up, speaking up, respect, equality, Indigenous voice, race relations, emotions, AFL, Adam Goodes, documentary, The Final Quarter.

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