Humanities
At Glendal Primary School, the teaching of Humanities is driven by a consistent and research-informed instructional model that supports deep engagement with the Victorian Curriculum across History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, and Economics and Business.
Teachers begin each unit with clear learning intentions and success criteria, using explicit teaching to build foundational knowledge before gradually releasing responsibility to students through inquiry-based learning and open-ended tasks. This approach enables students to take ownership of their learning, make choices about how they explore content, and reflect on their progress, fostering a strong sense of student agency.
Throughout Humanities units, students are encouraged to think critically and creatively—whether they are analysing historical sources, exploring geographical features and environments, exploring civic responsibilities, or investigating economic systems.
Students engage in collaborative learning structures that promote discussion, shared problem solving, and collective decision-making, often working in teams to explore real-world issues and develop solutions. Open-ended projects and tasks are designed to be interdisciplinary, student-driven, and reflective of the diverse ways learners can demonstrate their thinking. By integrating the Humanities curriculum with a strong pedagogical framework, Glendal ensures that students not only build content knowledge but also develop the skills and dispositions needed to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens.
Foundation to Year 2
In Foundation to Year 2, students begin by exploring personal and family histories, local places and environments, and basic concepts of community and fairness. Learning experiences are hands-on and inquiry-driven, allowing students to ask questions, share ideas, and work together to investigate familiar contexts. They begin to develop foundational skills in mapping, sequencing events, and understanding roles within their community.
Years 3 and 4
In Years 3 and 4, students expand their understanding of Australian history, geography, and civic life. They explore First Nations perspectives, early exploration and colonisation, and the diversity of places and cultures. Students engage in collaborative projects such as designing community spaces or investigating environmental changes, applying critical thinking to interpret sources and data. Civics and Citizenship is introduced formally in Year 3, where students begin to explore rules, responsibilities, and decision-making in familiar settings.
Years 5 and 6
In Years 5 and 6, students delve deeper into historical inquiry, examining significant events, movements, and individuals that have shaped Australia and the world. Geography units focus on sustainability, global connections, and human impact on the environment. Civics and Citizenship explores democratic values, government structures, and active citizenship, while Economics and Business introduces concepts such as resource management, consumer decision-making, and entrepreneurial thinking. Students work on open-ended projects that require research, analysis, and presentation—such as proposing solutions to local issues or developing financial plans—often in collaborative groups that reflect real-world problem solving.
Across all year levels, students are supported to take ownership of their learning through goal setting, reflection, and choice in how they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding. Thinking skills and questioning strategies are embedded across all year levels, to promote deeper analysis and creativity, while collaborative structures ensure that students learn from and with one another. This consistent approach ensures that Humanities learning at Glendal is rich, purposeful, and aligned with the school’s vision for developing informed, thoughtful, and active learners.
