The Ionic (not Doric) Temple of Apollo at Amyklai contained an enormous statue of Apollo with a raised spear in front of a large throne. The temple was ornately decorated by architects and tradesmen from other Greek states. Spartans would travel to the temple for the annual 3-day Festival of the Hyakinthia. They also travelled out from the city of Sparta to Amyklai for picnics. This source-based homework task is designed to increase student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra The Temple of Apollo at Amyklai was known throughout Greece as one of the oldest temples (it dated back to Mycenaean times) and one of the most beautiful. It tells us much about Spartan religious practices and their social world.

We get the impression that because the Spartans did not have their own coins that their economy was a depressed backwater. Far from it! The Perioieki produced a variety of goods and traded these goods within the Spartan state and further afield with the other Greek states and foreign nations. This source-based homework task is designed to assist student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra

Taras (Tarentum) is touted as the Spartan states only attempt at a colony. Evidence from Crete shows that this may not be true. However, Taras was certainly the most successful Spartan colony, with a mutually beneficial relationship between colony and mother country. This source-based homework task is designed for students studying the NSW Ancient History syllabus: Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371BCE

Sparta was unique in the ancient (and modern) world by having two kings. More than just the head of state, these kings performed significant religious, legal, diplomatic and military roles in Spartan society. This source-based homework task utilises primary and secondary materials. It is designed for students studying for the NSW Ancient History Higher School Certificate credential. The activity fits into: Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371 BCE

Sparta's dominance as a Greek city-state began with its invasion and takeover of the neighbouring state of Messenia that occurred in two stages, the First and Second Messenian Wars in the eighth century BCE. Historian, Paul Cartledge likens Spartan domination of Messenia to Britain's domination of Ireland - complete subjugation. This source-based homework task is designed to increase student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371 BCE

The city of Sparta in the 8th to 4th centuries BCE had a magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It sat on the acropolis overlooking the city and was one of the focal points for public worship and a sanctuary for criminals and the less fortunate to seek refuge. This source-based homework task is designed to increase student understanding of the public life of Spartans and is part of the NSW Ancient History syllabus. Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371 BCE. Until the 20th century historians have focused on Sparta as being a wholly militaristic society, devoid of a cultural life. This is certainly untrue. This task reveals the Spartans to value religion and public art and architecture.

As part of the misguided policy of the NSW government to intervene in the lives of Aboriginal families to create a better life for their children, Aboriginal boys and girls were forcibly separated from their parents and placed in homes where they could be given a quality education and provided with nutrition, shelter and life opportunities that would provide them with better opportunities in (European) Australian society. The sad reality was that the children were subjected to physical and mental brutality and received a poor quality education in settings that were far from the support of family and friends. This source-based homework task is designed to assist student understandings of the NSW History syllabus for the Australian Curriculum Stage 5 Depth Study 4: Rights and Freedoms (1945-present) The sources deal exclusively with social isolation, educational malpractice and physical abuse. I have not included emotional or sexual abuse even though these certainly occurred. These issues may be better dealt with by individual teachers making the decisions of if and when the "teachable moments" for these sensitive issues best arise with their particular students.

Far from giving Aboriginal peoples equal rights, the 1967 referendum gave the Commonwealth Government the right to legislate for Aboriginal peoples and for the inclusion of Aboriginal peoples in the census. Both of these measures enabled accurate assessments of issues specific to Aboriginal peoples and the right of the federal government to legislate for improvements to the lives of Aboriginal peoples. This source-based homework task is designed to assist student understanding of the problems and issues in the NSW History syllabus for the Australian Curriculum Stage 5 Depth Study 4: Rights & Freedoms (1945-present)

Modern historians have debated the claim that Claudius' freedmen exerted undue influence over the emperor. Their assertions are that Claudius was always in control of their administrative, financial and legal responsibilities. This source-based homework task is designed to assist student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School certificate course Part IV: Historical Periods Option O: The Julio-Claudians and the Roman Empire AD 14-69 An interesting topic to discuss the role of the public service and their responsibilities to the government of the time.

Spartan defeat at the Battle of Leuctra in 371BCE heralded a new age for the city state. Theban invasion and constraints put upon it's alliances, territories and freedom for the helots made the former powerhouse of Greek politics a second-rate power. But the battle also coincided with significant demographic and social change within the Spartan state. This homework task is designed to increase student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra It can also be used as part of Part IV: Historical Periods Option J: Fourth Century Greece to the death of Philip II of Macedon

The impact of World War I on Australian veterans was the harbinger of similar experiences suffered by veterans in subsequent and it continues to be an important issue today. But how did Australians in the period 1918-1924 come to terms with this issue? This source-based homework task is designed for students studying the NSW History syllabus for the Australian Curriculum Stage 5 Depth Study 3: Australians at War The impact of trauma on people in the past and society's lack of understanding and lack of services to deal with the issue is an interesting discussion to have with students.

Much has been written of the 1838 Myall Creek Massacre of Kamilaroi people by European settlers in New England NSW. But how did people at the time respond to news of the event? What are the responses now? How have people responded when they learned that their ancestors were perpetrators or victims of the event? This source-based homework task supports student understanding of the outcomes in the NSW History syllabus for the Australian Curriculum Stage 5 Depth Study 1: The Making of the Modern World The Industrial Revolution/Australia in the 1800s Students examine a range of primary and secondary, visual and written resources to discover the background to the Myall Creek Massacre, the event, and the aftermath. The activity concludes with an examination of responses to the event today. Students then explore some of the values of social responsibility: coming to terms with wrongdoing by and against our ancestors and the appropriateness of forgiving/apologising for these wrongdoings. Thought-provoking concepts that will generate plenty of discussion and engagement.

It wasn't just German naval personnel who were interned in Australia. The War Precautions Act extended to German civilians from Australia and Asia, German-born Australians and people with German sounding surnames. They spent the duration of the World War 1 securely locked away from family, friends, livelihoods and employment. This task supports student understanding of the NSW History syllabus for the Australian Curriculum Stage 5 Depth Study 3: Australians at War I shutter to think of the untold trauma suffered by so many people over so many years!

Held in honour of the Battle of Thyrea, this annual festival was held in July and included singing, dancing and the snatching of cheese from the altar in the Temple of Artemis Orthia. The purpose of the festival was to emphasise tradition and maintain the Spartan way of life. This source-based homework task supports student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra When cheese has a higher purpose than just being food...

Classical historians were consistent in their claim that the burning of Persepolis was the result of a drunken party that turned bad. Twentieth-century historians have encouraged us to think a more broadly and to consider other factors that may have played upon Alexander's mind. This homework task supports student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part III: Personalities in Their Times Option H: Alexander the Great Why am I never invited to these types of parties? Preparing too much time preparing for Ancient History classes?

All Greek city states had agoges. But the Spartans were renowned for their military prowess rather than their pursuit of the intellect. Does this mean that their agoges focused were more bootcamps than schools? This source-based homework task assists student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part II: Ancient Societies Option I: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra The Spartans were really no different to other Greeks of the 6th and 5th centuries BCE - they valued a rounded education but they also understood the political necessity of a strong military.

This source-based homework task covers the living conditions of Aboriginal peoples, working class, rural and middle-class European settlers in Australia in the 1800s. It has been developed for the NSW History syllabus of the Australian Curriculum Stage 5 Depth Study 1: The Making of the Modern World 1(a) The Industrial Revolution I have avoided the assumption that the Industrial Revolution was the primary factor in determining wealth and social status, and therefore living conditions. In the Australian context I believe that the evidence indicates ethnicity (i.e. whether you were Aboriginal or not) and the rural/urban divide were stronger factors. Gifted and Talented students should be encouraged to pursue this further by investigating whether being able to speak English, being born in an Asian country and being Irish played any part in determining income and therefore, living conditions.

Strong willed and highly protective of her children, Alexander's mother Olympias had a strong influence on his upbringing and continued regular contact with him following his invasion of the Persian Empire. This source-based homework task supports student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School certificate course Part III: Personalities in Their Times Option H: Alexander the Great Students examine a range of primary and secondary, visual and written sources to determine how influential Olympias was on Alexander. Olympias is in her own right is a very interesting historical character.

Literacy activity based on a passage about factors that made the Mongol cavalry so successful. Students select the correct definition of key words and concepts and then list the reasons for success of the Mongol army. This activity fits into the NSW History syllabus for the Australian Curriculum Stage 4 Depth Study 6: Expanding Contacts 6(a): The Mongol Expansion

More than just marriage by capture, Spartan marriage customs encompassed rituals of meeting, mating and cohabiting. Each of these was regulated (with varying levels of success) by the Spartan state. This source-based homework task is designed to extend student understanding of the NSW Ancient History syllabus Higher School Certificate course Part II - Ancient Societies Option I - Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra Students analyse a variety of primary and secondary, visual and written sources to determine what was so unusual about Spartan marriage customs. Setting loose a young man in a dark room to select an unmarried woman? The mind boggles!