Australian Colonial Cheat Sheet and Activity

Australian Year 5 History – Colonialism

This resource supports the teaching of the Year 5 history topic on colonialism by providing a clear, accessible entry point for pupils, alongside tools to deepen their understanding over time. It includes a cheat sheet bookmark, designed to reduce cognitive load and boost independence. The bookmark features key vocabulary, dates, and simple explanations of important concepts, helping children engage more confidently with historical content during lessons and written work.

To develop depth in learning, the resource also suggests extension ideas and enquiry-based questions that encourage critical thinking and empathy. These include activities like comparing different perspectives (e.g., colonisers vs. colonised), analysing historical sources, and exploring the long-term impacts of colonialism in today’s world. Overall, the resource balances core knowledge with opportunities for reflection, discussion, and thoughtful connection-making.