Articles
Comparing pandemics
MCH Senior Historian Elizabeth Cox has been pondering the similarities and differences in New Zealand’s response to the 1918 flu pandemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Here are some of her preliminary thoughts.
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Page 2 – Activities: Comparing pandemics
Looking at our experiences of two pandemics a century apart provides an ideal opportunity to explore a number of important historical thinking concepts that those of you
Interrogating memorials and markers from our past
Brain food
This regularly updated section showcases current thinking on best practice, research and ideas useful for teachers planning and teaching history.
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Page 2 – The role of school history
Caught up with the day-to-day realities of teaching, carrying out assessments and attending endless meetings, teachers rarely get the opportunity to think about what it is
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Page 3 – Teaching and learning history
'What are we trying to achieve as history teachers?
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Page 4 – Teaching emotive and controversial history
Teaching Emotive and Controversial History Martyn Davison from Pakuranga College has prepared an edited version of a report from the Historical Association in the UK which
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Page 5 – Massey at Massey
[email protected] MASSEY CONFERENCE (December 1–2, 2006)This stimulating conference showed that William Ferguson Massey, the erstwhile scourge of the workers, has not merely been
Today in History
This feature of The Classroom provides students and teachers with quick and daily access to stories relating to New Zealand history from the big themes to the quirky and unusual.
- Page 1 - Today in HistoryThis feature of The Classroom provides students and teachers with quick and daily access to stories relating to New Zealand history from the big themes to the quirky and
Capital punishment
There were 83 verified executions for murder and one for treason in New Zealand between 1842 and 1957. The activities in this feature provide opportunities to discuss views around the death penalty.
- Page 1 - Capital punishmentThere were 83 verified executions for murder and one for treason in New Zealand between 1842 and 1957. The activities in this feature provide opportunities to discuss views around
Treaty of Waitangi
Activities to determine what students already know about the Treaty of Waitangi
- Page 1 - Treaty of WaitangiActivities to determine what students already know about the Treaty of Waitangi
Cricket in New Zealand
The place of sport in New Zealand culture
Case study: cricket in New Zealand
Related link on NZHistory.net.nz
Runs on the board: cricket in New Zealand
Topics include:
- the World Cup
- why cricket?
- playing England
- playing Australia.
Cricket is New Zealand's major organised summer sport and enjoys the fourth-highest playing numbers. Cricket is not, however, a sport of great worldwide significance. Like rugby, its popularity is largely confined to present and former members of the British Commonwealth and, like rugby, the game originated in England. It reflects our colonial past. Sport is an important part of the New Zealand way of life.
- Page 1 - Cricket in New Zealand - activitiesThe place of sport in New Zealand cultureCase study: cricket in New Zealand Related link on NZHistory.net.nzRuns on the board: cricket in New Zealand Topics include:the
NZ in the 19th century
Broad survey of New Zealand's 19th-century history
- Page 1 - NZ in the 19th century Broad survey of New Zealand's 19th-century
Finding and evaluating information: LEGIT
Historical significance: Tales of significance
Education programme at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park
What to do with markers of our colonial past?
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Page 2 – Our imperial past is all around us
Marmaduke Nixon and Rangiaowhia: 'one of the most painful and contentious incidents'In June 1863, Marmaduke Nixon – a veteran of the British Army in India – became commander of
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Page 3 – Comparing New Zealand's debate with the United States
‘I detest our Confederate monuments.
Disasters
A broad range of ideas and activities for teaching social studies students of all levels about New Zealand disasters.
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Page 3 – What happened and why
NZ disasters classroom activities exploring what happened and why.
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Page 5 – Communicating ideas
A variety of activities involving communicating information and ideas associated with NZ disasters.
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Page 6 – Personal writing
Classroom activities based on exploring NZ disasters through personal writing.
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Page 7 – Expressing your opinion
Teaching activities and ideas exploring NZ disasters through personal opinion.
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Page 8 – People on the spot
Classroom ideas and activities relating to NZ disasters whee students imagine being personally involved in the event.
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Page 9 – What could have been done differently?
Social studies activities relating to NZ disasters exploring whether or not things may have turned out differently had other decisions been made.
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Page 10 – What's the question?
Social studies activity exploring NZ disasters by way of a question game.
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Page 11 – A snapshot in time-disasters
A social studies activity exploring a period of time as a wider context toa study of NZ disasters.
Resources
There is now a good amount of high-quality written Māori available on the web.
- Page 1 - Māori language contentThere is now a good amount of high-quality written Māori available on the
Jockey underwear
Some people might say we are what we eat; others might prefer we are what we wear. Explore life in New Zealand and the power of advertising by a holding survey, a class debate, designing advertising material and promoting a campaign to buy products from New Zealand.
- Page 1 - Jockey underwear goes on sale in New ZealandSome people might say we are what we eat; others might prefer we are what we wear. Explore life in New Zealand and the power of advertising by a holding survey, a class debate,
Race Relations Day
Race Relations Day, 21 March, gives New Zealand teachers and students an opportunity to discuss and celebrate New Zealand's ethnic diversity.
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Page 2 – Race Relations Day activities
Activities relating to Race Relations Day for Social Studies teachers
Network Waitangi Ōtautahi
Kiwi of the Week
This feature of The Classroom provides students and teachers with quick and daily access to stories relating to New Zealand history from the big themes to the quirky and unusual.
- Page 1 - Kiwi of the WeekThis feature of The Classroom provides students and teachers with quick and daily access to stories relating to New Zealand history from the big themes to the quirky and
Communicating information: paragraph writing
War and remembrance
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Page 3 – Who or what were we fighting for?
Who or what are we fighting for?
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Page 4 – Symbols and ritual
There are many symbols and rituals associated with how we commemorate war and the fallen. The red poppy is one very familiar symbol both here and in many other countries.
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Page 5 – Commemoration and protest
In 1967 protestors laid a protest wreath in Christchurch on Anzac Day to highlight their opposition to the Vietnam War. They were subsequently convicted of disorderly behaviour
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Page 6 – Remembering the New Zealand Wars
In memorialising our experiences of war, to what extent have we overlooked our own internal wars?
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Page 7 – Anzac Day quiz
Do a quiz to find out what students know about Anzac Day
New Zealand's first flag
History and activities relating to New Zealand flags
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Page 3 – Letter to the editor - social studies activity
Argue for or against a new national flag in a letter to the editor of a newspaper.
Anzac Day and remembrance
- Page 3 - War and remembrance activitiesWar has played a defining role in shaping our nation since we first sent troops overseas to South Africa in 1899. As the centenary of the the First World War (2014-18) approaches,
Communicating information: writing focus questions
Analysing values, perspectives and decisions: view, values, and actions
Change and continuity: Analysis
Historical empathy
Cause and consequence: Analysis
Suffrage 125
2018 marked 125 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. As we remember the suffragists and their achievements, how can we also explore women’s rights and feminist issues in New Zealand today?
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Page 3 – Are we there yet? Women in Parliament
'Prime Minister AND a mum'On 19 January 2018, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced via Instagram that she and her partner, Clarke Gayford, were expecting their first child
