Writer: Stephen Beckett
Download the complete Unit
Released March 2008
There is diverse footage on these disks but certain themes flow conspicuously throughout; a more conservative society, family values, a quaint and often patronising view of the Maori, self conscious national identity and military preparedness. There are also more subtle undercurrents, fear of delinquency, conflict and more serious race relations issues.
This unit is written with the aim of giving students a general sense of the fifties and comparing this decade with the present. It also asks them to consider the underlying intentions of much of the original footage.
The unit links closely with the Continuity and Change strand within the Social Science section of the curriculum. Being a unit with an historical focus it relates particularly strongly to Achievement Objective One (how the ideas and actions of people in the past have had a significant impact on people’s lives). It also relates to Achievement Objective One of the Place and Environment strand (Why people move between places and the consequences of this for people and places). Lessons 10-15 are of particular relevance to this in that they consider the impact of development and Maori urbanisation.
The content and delivery of this unit relates to many of the Key Competencies within the curriculum. For example:
Thinking - students are encouraged to think critically about the significance of the past and compare it to the present.
Using language symbols and text – A Variety of approaches to the use of language and text have been used in the student activities; diagrams, viewing guides, visual presentations, group discussions.
Managing self: Some lessons provide the basis for small research assignments.
Lesson Outline:
Teacher Notes
Lesson Plans have been kept deliberately flexible in terms of timing. Individual lessons and short lesson sequences are able to be taught in isolation without following the entire sequence of lessons.
Some sections, for example the Waterfront Strike will be most suitable for higher ability year 10 classes or to support Level One and Two History units.
Curriculum and Assessment Links
The footage is well suited to a Social Studies unit for Year 9-10 students working at Level 5 of the Social Studies curriculum. It relates very closely to the Continuity and Change (Achievement Objective One) as well as the Place and Environment (Achievement Objective One) strands of the curriculum.
There are opportunities throughout to assess students’ skills in terms of both values and research.
The section of this unit on military Training and the Cold War is also relevant for the Search for Security topic taught in History at NCEA level 1 and has been written with this, as well as lower levels, in mind
It could also be used as a resource for those studying History at NCEA levels 1-2, particularly to support internal assessments. Links have been provided to possible NCEA activities below.
The section on the Waterfront Lockout and its background is also of use to teachers in preparation for NCEA Level One History (resource interpretation external assessment 1.3)
Duration:
Approximately 17 lessons, but most lessons may be taught in isolation or combined as preferred.
Additional Resources:
Text Books:
Bowen, George, Defending New Zealand, Longman Publishing, 1997.
Internet sites:
General
http://youtube.com/
http://earth.google.com/
NCEA Assessment
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist1_2R5_4dec06.doc TKI History 1.2, Enemy of the State, How a New Zealander challenged authority.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist2_4C5_4dec06.doc TKI HIstory, 2.4, Trouble on the Waterfront.
