Federation source pack
Three sources on the road to Federation: the words of the Constitution Act, Henry Parkes at Tenterfield, and the referendum results. Students work out where each came from, what it was for, and what it can and cannot tell them.
- Members
- 9 pages
- about 60 minutes
- You need: the pack, one per student or pair, highlighters
- Teacher
- Page 2
- Page 3
- 4Page 4
- 5Page 5
- 6Page 6
- 7Page 7
- 8Page 8
- 9Answers
Pages 4 to 9 open when you can download. These are pictures of the real PDF. What you see is what prints.
Why use this
Students meet Federation as a date. Reading the actual words of the Act, a speech that argued for it, and the vote that made it happen turns the date into a decision people made, and argued about.
Source analysis is a habit: who made this, why, and what does that do to what it says. Three sources of three kinds, on one topic, let students practise the habit where the answers differ.
How to run it
- 1.Read Source A aloud. Ask: who is speaking, and to whom? Students answer the questions.12 min
- 2.Read Source B aloud. Ask: what is Parkes asking for, and what is his best argument?12 min
- 3.Source C: read the table together. Find NSW 1898. Why did a yes majority fail?12 min
- 4.Sheet D: compare the three. Which is closest to the event? Which is most useful for which question?15 min
- 5.Make your own: write a source from 1899 for or against, swap and analyse.9 min
Curriculum link
Australian Curriculum v9.0 © ACARA. Licensed CC BY 4.0. The full attribution is printed in the PDF.
Play it online at antnest.au
Thea and Faye's games on antnest.au practise the same curriculum codes. Print the sheet for the lesson, then set the game for practice at school or at home. Each opens in a new tab.