Introduction

The 400 year anniversary of the landing of Dutch trader Dirk Hartog on Western Australian soil brings into focus a significant strand of Australian history - the role of the Dutch in discovering, naming and mapping the western part of the Unknown Southland. While Australian history has for many generations been centred on the British perspective, it is vital to also incorporate the significance of 17th century Dutchmen such as Willem Jansz, Dirk Hartog and Abel Tasman.

Both the Year 4 Australian Curriculum:History and School Curriculum and Standards Authority HASS curriculum focus on the journeys of navigators, explorers and traders up to the late 18th century. It is here that the Dutch story, the discoveries and impacts, can be told. The main focus of this resource is on the Year 4 curriculum, using the story of Hartog in the context of the Dutch East India Company and journeys to the Spice Islands, to develop historical inquiry skills as well as sequencing and use of historical terms.

A shorter resource has also been included to support Year 3 teachers to explore the significance of Dirk Hartog's role in Western Australian History with their students and incorporate the anniversary of Hartog's landing into their planning of "the days and weeks commemorated or celebrated in Australia".


About the resource

Developed by HTAWA - The History Teachers' Association of Western Australia, with support from the Western Australian Government through Royalties for Regions and the Western Australian Museum.


Resources

Note: All resources are in PDF format and require Acrobat Reader or equivalent software.

Year 4 Learning Sequences

Overview

Curriculum links and Learning sequences.

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Learning Sequence 1

Dutch traders and Australia.

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Learning Sequence 2

The Hartog Plate and other historical evidence.

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Learning Sequence 3

Fortuyn’s Ghost - Dutch ships in the 1600s and 1700s.

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Learning Sequence 4

Discovering Australia.


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Learning Sequence 5

Sharing your discoveries - taking it further (communication, reflection and taking action)

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Year 4 Teacher Resources

Learning sequence 1

Vocabulary list

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Learning Sequence 2

Hartog’s journey to the Spice Islands

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Learning Sequence 2

A Brief History of the United East India Company (VOC)

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Learning Sequence 2

Guide to touring the shipwreck galleries

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Learning Sequence 4

Vocabulary List

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USEFUL REFERENCES

On Dirk Hartog and the VOC

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Year 3 Teacher Resources

Our Dutch heritage

Curriculum links and teaching ideas

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Focus Question:

Who was Dirk Hartog? Why should we remember him?

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