Human Society and its Environment Human Society and its Environment K-6 (HSIE)K-6 (HSIE)

Using the syllabus forUsing the syllabus forconsistency of moderationconsistency of moderation

© 2006 Curriculum K-12 Directorate, NSW Department of Education and Training

Background to the work samplesBackground to the work samples

A small P4 school in a suburb of SydneyA small P4 school in a suburb of Sydney

The class is one of two Stage 3 classes The girls The class is one of two Stage 3 classes The girls

are outnumbered by boys in the classare outnumbered by boys in the class

The majority of students are English speakingThe majority of students are English speaking

Background to the assessment taskBackground to the assessment task

The class was working on the topic ‘Australian The class was working on the topic ‘Australian Democracy’ with a focus on outcomes SSS3.8 and Democracy’ with a focus on outcomes SSS3.8 and CCS3.2CCS3.2

The syllabus subject matter the planned assessment The syllabus subject matter the planned assessment task references are:task references are:

Key figures, events and issues in the development of Key figures, events and issues in the development of Australian democracyAustralian democracy

Aboriginal democratic practices before British Aboriginal democratic practices before British colonisationcolonisation

Teaching and learning for the Teaching and learning for the planned assessmentplanned assessment

The teaching and learning activities were adapted from The teaching and learning activities were adapted from lessons in Discovering Democracy: lessons in Discovering Democracy: The Law Rules The Law Rules for for Upper primary. These lessons are part of a unit of work.Upper primary. These lessons are part of a unit of work.

Background information in Background information in A guide to government and A guide to government and law in Australia law in Australia by John Hirst was used by the teacher.by John Hirst was used by the teacher.

Assessment taskAssessment task Under the heading Under the heading Applying the law in AustraliaApplying the law in Australia, ,

write 3 points on :write 3 points on :

Traditional Aboriginal lawTraditional Aboriginal law

The Governor’s Court in the early colonyThe Governor’s Court in the early colony

The work of the courts todayThe work of the courts today

including how these have changed over time.including how these have changed over time.

Assessment task criteriaAssessment task criteria

lists some features of Aboriginal law, the early lists some features of Aboriginal law, the early

Governor’s court and the courts todayGovernor’s court and the courts today

demonstrates an understanding of changes to demonstrates an understanding of changes to

the application of laws the application of laws

communicates the development of Australian communicates the development of Australian

democracy over time.democracy over time.

‘‘At’At’Based on your understanding of the syllabus and Based on your understanding of the syllabus and performance standards and collaborative performance standards and collaborative discussions with other teachers: discussions with other teachers: Has the student a sound knowledge and Has the student a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the task and understanding of the main areas of the task and achieved an adequate level of competence in the achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.processes and skills.

Work samplesWork samples

Use the following 4 student work samples Use the following 4 student work samples to determine if the work sample is to determine if the work sample is At, At, Above Above or or BelowBelow

Refer to the HSIE assessment criteriaRefer to the HSIE assessment criteria

Make a decisionMake a decision

BelowBelow AtAt AboveAbove

A decision A decision

BelowBelow AtAt AboveAbove

RobertRobert NashNash Daniel Daniel

AngusAngus

Assessment and reportingAssessment and reporting

At the time of reporting, assessment information At the time of reporting, assessment information gathered by teachers from observations, students’ gathered by teachers from observations, students’ work and planned assessment events, is used to work and planned assessment events, is used to make a holistic judgement about student make a holistic judgement about student performance in HSIE against a 5 point performance in HSIE against a 5 point achievement scale.achievement scale.