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Digital Classroom

Explore Australia's history at the National Library's Digital Classroom, aligned with the Australian Curriculum. With over 10 million items, we support diverse learning styles, fostering inquiry-based learning for students to analyse sources and draw conclusions about the Australian story.
Showing 25 - 36 of 206 results
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sketch and depiction of the settlement at Sydney Cove Port Jackson.

Francis Fowkes, R Cribb Neele & John Samuel, Sketch & description of the settlement at Sydney Cove Port Jackson in the County of Cumberland taken by a transported convict on the 16th of April, 1788, which was not quite 3 months after Commodore Phillips's landing there, 1789, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230578175

Early settlement

Topic 

Explore the early settlement of Sydney Cove through Francis Fowkes' 1789 map and other historical sources. 

Humanities
Year 4
Australian history
Migration and immigration
A pencil drawing of a large opossum with trees in the background.

Peter Mazell, James Cook & John Webber, An opossum of Van Diemen's Land, 1784, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136182204

Strange creatures

Topic 

Explore the excitement and wonder of the First Fleet as they encountered Australia’s unique flora and fauna for the first time. 

Humanities
Year 4
Australian history
Migration and immigration
A group of men are gathered around a fallen tree in an outdoor setting. One person is seated on the ground, while others stand and hold spears. Two individuals engage in manual labor. A ship is anchored near the shore in the background, with sheep grazing on the grassy landscape. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are trees and a small structure in the distance. This scene depicts a moment of cultural interaction and shared labor during a historical period of exploration and colonisation.

Thomas Baines, Thomas Baines with Aborigines near the mouth of the Victoria River, 1857, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134296782

Early interaction

Topic 

Investigate the complex interactions between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in Australia through Thomas Baines’ evocative painting.

Humanities
Year 4
Australian history
Migration and immigration
Pencil drawings depicting Aboriginal peoples and native Australian flora and fauna

Mickey of Ulladulla, Corroboree with native animals in the distance near Ulladulla, New South Wales, approximately 1885, 1880, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135517021

Early communication

Topic 

Examine the relationship between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in Van Diemen’s Land through the use of pictograms for communication.

Humanities
Year 4
Australian history
Migration and immigration
A vintage poster featuring a large blue-toned illustration of a man's face and hand, positioned above the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The man’s hand is raised with fingers partially curled. Below, the Harbour Bridge is shown at night with city lights reflecting on the water.

Tom Purvis, 1888-1959 & Australia's 150th Anniversary Celebrations Council & Australian National Travel Association, Australia's 150th anniversary celebrations Sydney - summer season, 1938, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135689940

Australia Day

Topic 

Discover the origins of Australia Day and guide students to consider what it means  to different people using promotional material from our collection.

Humanities
Year 3
Art, drawing and illustration
Australian history
A watercolor painting showing a central elongated figure resembling a fish or marine mammal, with a grid-like pattern. Above the main figure, three smaller, simpler outlines of turtles are sketched. The background consists of soft, earthy tones and textured brushstrokes.

William Westall, Chasm Island, native cave painting, 1803, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138890494

Connections to Country

Topic 

Explore early European encounters with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art through the work of William Westall and engage students in considering the cultural significance of special places.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Explorers
First Australians
A detailed drawing of various hunting implements and weapons. The illustration includes spears, shields, boomerangs, clubs, and other tools, arranged in a grid-like pattern on a plain background. Each item is depicted with precise lines and shading, with some labelled using letters A and B.

Port Jackson Painter, Aboriginal hunting implements and weapons, 1790, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135230406

Changing technology

Topic 

Explore how food production and gathering methods have evolved over time, using artworks and photographs from our collection.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Science and technology
A painting of a busy 19th-century Bourke Street, Melbourne, with horse-drawn carriages, pedestrians, and shops lining the street. Crowds gather on both sides, and a variety of people are depicted walking or riding.

Tom Roberts, Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1886, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134285521

Changing streetscapes

Topic 

Discover how streetscapes have evolved over time by comparing depictions of Bourke St, Melbourne over time to foster student discussions about urban change and its impact on daily life.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
A black-and-white portrait of an older man with a weathered face and a beard, wearing a turban and a white shirt. He stands outdoors, with blurred trees in the background.

Robin Smith, Old Afghan camel drover Saidah Saidel, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, 1966, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-146607205

Diverse communities

Topic 

Explore how diverse communities have shaped modern Australian life through historical photographs from our collection.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Migration and immigration
A colourful illustration featuring a group of anthropomorphic koalas dressed in clothes, along with other animals like rabbits and birds, gathered in a grassy area. A caption reads, "What shall I name this young bear?"

Dorothy Wall, Blinky Bill: The Quaint Little Australian, 1933, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-943876

Symbols in children's literature

Topic 

For students to explore the depiction, representation and meaning of Australian symbols through beloved stories like Blinky Bill and Possum Magic.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Literature and writing
Detailed botanical illustration of a vibrant red waratah flower with long, green leaves on a white background.

George Raper, Wa-ra-ta [waratah (Telopea speciosissima)], 1788, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-150069197

Australian emblems and official symbols

Topic 

Learn about Australia’s national emblems and official symbols, and the emblems of your state or territory using images and objects from our collection.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Geography
Literature and writing
A streetscape of Bourke street, Melbourne.

Tom Roberts, Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1885, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134285521

Time and place

Module

Explore how communities evolve over time, how different cultures influence and contribute to communities, and how symbols convey meaning.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history

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