Small Object, Big Story

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Detail of a quilt made in 1843

Teacher guide

Suitable for: Years 5 to 10

Learning area: History

Topic: Identity

A guide for teachers embarking on family or community history projects with their students.  

This resource is designed to help students take on the role of historian as they learn how to find and use primary research materials to research a fmaily or community history.

The Small Object Big Story project supports teachers with step-by-step instructions to help students share this history through exhibitions in the classroom, school or online.   

In this activity students will   

  • Learn how historians trace the history of an object, place or person. 
  • Use primary and secondary source materials to undertake research.  
  • Develop research skills. 
  • Experience object based learning. 
  • Learn how to plan and create an exhibition.   

Suggested questions to engage students  

  • How can we research the history of a single object? 
  • What do you need to know to be able to tell your object's story? 
  • What was going on at this time in Australia? 
  • What big events were going on elsewhere in the world? 
  • What was going on in your family or the community where your object was located? 
Gold fan paint with Japanese motifs

1. Introduction

Get started on the path to creating your family or community history project.

2. Concept development

A strong concept and good planning are vital to hosting a successful exhibition. 
Girl and boy looking at a small globe

3. Find your objects

Finding the right objects is key to telling your story.
Six small boys on a horse. There is a girl on the left and a small boy on the right is holding the horse.

4. Find your Stories

Once you have an object to investigate, it's time to begin your research.

5. Exhibition basics

How to put together your museum or gallery exhibition.

Victorian Curriculum Links

Placeholder - Need to be provided

History: Levels 7 and 8 

Historical questions 
  • develop and use historical questions to inform historical investigations (VC2HH8S01) 
Historical sources 
  • explain the features, content and context of historical sources (VC2HH8S03) 
  • explain the perspectives, beliefs, values and attitudes of people and groups based on evidence from a range of sources (VC2HH8S05) 

Critical and Creative Thinking: Levels 7 and 8 

Questions and possibilities 
  • the construction of a main question and sub-questions for different purposes (VC2CC8Q01) 

Intercultural Capability: Levels 7 and 8 

Culture, identity and belonging 
  • change in cultures, including their own, in a range of contexts, and how this influences identity and a sense of belonging and inclusion (VC2CI8C01) 

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Small Object, Big Story

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