Children's games

History

The Australian curriculum: History

The Australian Curriculum: History aims to ensure that students develop:

interest in, and enjoyment of, historical study for lifelong learning and work, including their capacity and willingness to be informed and active citizens
knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the past and the forces that shape societies, including Australian society
understanding and use of historical concepts, such as evidence, continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, empathy, significance and contestability
capacity to undertake historical inquiry, including skills in the analysis and use of sources, and in explanation and communication.

This resource contains extracts from the Australian Curriculum and is current as at 25 May 2011. © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority 2010.
ACARA neither endorses nor verifies the accuracy of the information provided and accepts no responsibility for incomplete or inaccurate information. You can find the unaltered and most up to date version of this material at http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home
This material is reproduced with the permission of ACARA.

History activities [3]

Activity 1: Comparing games

Show details

Subtheme(s): Chores, business and employment; Entertainment and games

In 1888, games played by children were different to those played today. Toys were handcrafted and many were homemade. Families that relied on a meagre income didn't spend on lavish toys. Children played many imaginary and 'made up' games outdoors.

Victoria and her siblings enjoy playing together under the Moreton Bay fig tree. Although their resources are limited, they invent games and enjoy each other's company.

Discover

Encourage students to recall games they play in the schoolyard and games they play indoors. Create a mindmap of games. Use an online encyclopedia, or search the internet, for a list of traditional games before you commence.

What are the traditional games children play in the clip?
What are some traditional games your parents or grandparents have taught you?
Discuss and list other traditional games. Use the list you created to generate ideas.

Reflect

Create a comparative table with traditional games on one side and contemporary games on the other. Discuss with the class the differences between traditional and modern games played by children.

Download

Student Activity Sheet H13.1: Comparing games

Activity 2: Traditional games

Show details

Subtheme(s): Entertainment and games

The concept that traditional games have a place in history and in our daily lives can be explored through a series of questions. Ask students to research the origins and rules of three traditional games.

Discover

Open questions: Ask students to research and respond to the following questions:

Can you find out who invented these three traditional games?
How inclusive are the games you researched?
When and where can these games be played?
Why do these games stand the test of time?
Each group can share and compare their answers.

Download

Student Activity Sheet H13.2: Looking at traditional games

Activity 3: Contemporary games

Show details

Subtheme(s): Entertainment and games

The concept that modern games have a place in our daily lives can be explored through open-ended questions to help generate answers from students in groups.

Discover

Open questions: Ask students to research the origins and rules of at least three contemporary games.

Why were contemporary games invented?
How inclusive are these games?
When and where can these games be played?
Will these games stand the test of time?
Each group can share and compare their answers.

Reflect

Compare and contrast answers from the open-ended questions on traditional and contemporary games. List the characteristics of both traditional and contemporary games using a Venn diagram. These can be about traditional, commonalities and modern games.