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Browse by Grade: Year 2

Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions

Year 2 HASS

Year 2 HASS: investigating how the past is different from the present, how technology has changed daily life, and how people are connected to their communities and places.

4 units·44 topics·Ages 7-8

01The Past Is Different

10 topics·Term 1

Students explore how daily life, technology, and communication were different in the past, and why things change over time.

Comparing Homes: Past vs. Present

Students will compare and contrast homes from different historical periods with modern homes, identifying changes and continuities.

Stations RotationGallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Clothing and Fashion Through Time

Students will investigate historical clothing styles, comparing them to contemporary practices and discussing reasons for change.

Role PlayDocument MysteryCarousel Brainstorm
Food Sources and Preparation: Then & Now

Students will explore how food was sourced, prepared, and eaten in the past, contrasting it with modern food systems.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-ShareExperiential Learning
Early Communication Methods

Students will explore various historical communication methods, from letters to early telephones, and their impact.

Four CornersSimulation GameCarousel Brainstorm
Digital Communication Today

Students will compare historical communication methods with modern digital communication, evaluating their effectiveness.

Formal DebateThink-Pair-ShareExpert Panel
Interpreting Historical Photographs

Students will learn to analyze historical photographs to infer details about past daily life, technology, and social customs.

Document MysteryGallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Objects as Historical Evidence

Students will examine various historical objects to understand their purpose, materials, and the stories they tell about the past.

Stations RotationMuseum ExhibitConcept Mapping
Oral Histories: Learning from Elders

Students will learn the value of oral histories by listening to and discussing stories from elders or family members about their past experiences.

Expert PanelHot SeatThink-Pair-Share
School Life in Grandparents' Time

Students will investigate how classrooms, learning tools, and daily routines in schools have changed since their grandparents' era.

Role PlayStations RotationHot Seat
Why Things Change Over Time

Students will explore the reasons behind historical changes, such as new inventions, societal needs, and cultural shifts.

Hexagonal ThinkingCarousel BrainstormConcept Mapping

02Technology Changes Our Lives

10 topics·Term 2

Students investigate how technology has changed the way we live, work, and play, from simple tools to digital devices.

Simple Tools: Past and Present

Students will compare simple tools from the past (e.g., hand tools) with their modern equivalents, focusing on efficiency and design.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-ShareCarousel Brainstorm
Impact of Electricity on Daily Life

Students will explore how the invention and widespread use of electricity transformed homes, work, and leisure activities.

Simulation GameFour CornersRole Play
Everyday Technology at Home

Students will identify and discuss the various technologies used in their homes, considering their purpose and impact on family routines.

Think-Pair-ShareGive One, Get OneConcept Mapping
Technology in the Classroom

Students will explore how technology is used in their school for learning, communication, and administrative tasks, and its evolution.

Four CornersCarousel BrainstormExpert Panel
The Wheel: A Transformative Invention

Students will investigate the invention of the wheel and its profound impact on transport, agriculture, and other aspects of human civilization.

Hexagonal ThinkingGallery WalkTimeline Challenge
The Printing Press and Knowledge Sharing

Students will learn about the invention of the printing press and its role in spreading information, education, and new ideas.

Document MysteryJigsawThink-Pair-Share
Evolution of Road Transport

Students will trace the development of road vehicles from horse-drawn carriages to early automobiles and modern cars, noting key innovations.

Timeline ChallengeGallery WalkCarousel Brainstorm
Air and Water Travel Innovations

Students will explore the history of air and water travel, from early boats and hot air balloons to modern airplanes and ships.

Project-Based LearningSimulation GameThink-Pair-Share
Traditional First Nations Tools

Students will investigate the design and function of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tools, such as boomerangs, spears, and digging sticks.

Stations RotationExperiential LearningGallery Walk
First Nations Sustainable Technologies

Students will learn about First Nations technologies related to sustainable living, such as fish traps, water management, and fire stick farming.

Case Study AnalysisInquiry CircleConcept Mapping

03Our Community Connections

10 topics·Term 3

Students explore the communities they belong to, including school, neighbourhood, and cultural groups, and how communities work together.

Identifying Personal Communities

Students will identify and describe the various communities they are a part of, from family to local clubs, and discuss what defines each.

Give One, Get OneThink-Pair-ShareCarousel Brainstorm
Benefits of Community Membership

Students will explore how communities support their members, provide a sense of belonging, and work together to achieve common goals.

World CaféPhilosophical ChairsRole Play
Roles and Responsibilities in School

Students will identify the different roles within the school community (e.g., principal, teachers, students) and their associated responsibilities.

Role PlaySimulation GameThink-Pair-Share
Decision-Making in Our School

Students will investigate how decisions are made in the school community, from classroom rules to school-wide initiatives, and the importance of student voice.

Town Hall MeetingPhilosophical ChairsHuman Barometer
Understanding Connection to Country

Students will learn about the deep spiritual and cultural connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to their Country and waterways.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-ShareStations Rotation
Caring for Country: First Nations Practices

Students will explore traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practices for caring for Country, such as sustainable resource management and cultural burning.

Case Study AnalysisExperiential LearningInquiry Circle
Exploring Cultural Traditions

Students will investigate various cultural traditions, festivals, and celebrations from different groups within their local community and beyond.

Museum ExhibitInside-Outside CircleCarousel Brainstorm
The Value of Diversity in Community

Students will discuss how different cultures, languages, and perspectives enrich a community and foster understanding and respect.

World CaféPhilosophical ChairsGraffiti Wall
Community Helpers and Services

Students will identify various community helpers (e.g., police, firefighters, doctors) and the essential services they provide to keep the community safe and healthy.

Role PlayExpert PanelThink-Pair-Share
Rules and Laws in Our Community

Students will explore the purpose of rules and laws in maintaining order, fairness, and safety within a community.

Philosophical ChairsFormal DebateRole Play

04People and Places Around Us

14 topics·Term 4

Students investigate the features of local and distant places, and how people are connected to places through work and play.

Natural Features of Our Local Area

Students will identify and describe the natural features of their local environment, such as hills, rivers, and vegetation.

Stations RotationGallery WalkWalk and Talk
Human Features and Land Use

Students will explore human-made features in their local area, such as buildings, roads, and parks, and discuss how they are used.

Project-Based LearningConcept MappingThink-Pair-Share
Comparing Local and Distant Environments

Students will compare the natural and human features of their local area with those of a contrasting distant place (e.g., desert, city, coastal area).

Four CornersCarousel BrainstormGive One, Get One
Cultural Connections to Places

Students will explore how different cultures and communities have unique connections and relationships with specific places, both locally and globally.

Gallery WalkWorld CaféCase Study Analysis
Reducing Waste and Recycling

Students will learn about the importance of reducing waste, reusing items, and recycling to protect the environment and conserve resources.

Four CornersRole PlayGraffiti Wall
Conserving Water and Energy

Students will investigate practical ways to conserve water and energy at home and school, understanding their impact on the environment.

Problem-Based LearningThink-Pair-ShareDecision Matrix
Introduction to Maps and Symbols

Students will learn the basic components of a map, including titles, legends, and simple symbols, and practice interpreting them.

Stations RotationProject-Based LearningConcept Mapping
Using Cardinal Directions

Students will learn about cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and practice using them to describe locations and give directions.

Walk and TalkSimulation GameRole Play
Creating a Map of Our School

Students will work collaboratively to create a simple map of their school grounds, incorporating symbols and cardinal directions.

Project-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-SolvingPlacemat Activity
Understanding Needs vs. Wants

Students will distinguish between essential needs for survival and non-essential wants, and discuss how these differ across individuals and cultures.

Four CornersThink-Pair-ShareCarousel Brainstorm
Limited Resources and Choices

Students will explore the concept of limited resources and how it forces individuals and communities to make choices about needs and wants.

Decision MatrixPhilosophical ChairsRole Play
Variety of Jobs in Our Community

Students will identify and categorize different types of jobs in their community, understanding the diverse skills and contributions involved.

Role PlayExpert PanelGallery Walk
How Jobs Help Our Community

Students will explore how different jobs contribute to the well-being and functioning of the community, creating a web of interconnected services.

Concept MappingJigsawThink-Pair-Share
From Raw Materials to Products

Students will trace the journey of everyday items, from their raw material origins through manufacturing processes to becoming finished products.

Stations RotationConcept MappingExperiential Learning