Students learn about the government and economy of Australia and New Zealand. Then they compare and contrast the two. Next, they explore the relationship between the governments of the two countries and explain its effect on their economies. Finally, students describe how the rich natural resources of the region contribute to their economies.
Students read an introduction to the experience that previews how they will study and compare the governments and economies of Australia and New Zealand. They then respond to a collaborative prompt imagining they are moving to a new country and listing questions they would want answered before moving, especially about daily life and living conditions.
Teacher MovesReview the lesson objective and overview. Lead a discussion of students’ posted questions, prompting them to identify which ones relate to government and economy (such as jobs, income, and cost of living). Guide the class to generate several guiding questions about the governments and economies of Australia and New Zealand, and note that these will be revisited at the end of the experience.
Students focus on Australia by reading about federation and using information from Australia: Government and Economy to learn about Australia’s government structure and economic characteristics. They then complete a graphic organizer for Australia, recording details such as government type, independence date, legal system, branches of government, agricultural products, major industries, and key exports.
Teacher MovesEnsure students access and read the assigned resources on Australian federation and its government and economy. Clarify unfamiliar terms (such as federation, constitutional monarchy, and common law) and support students as they extract relevant information to accurately complete the graphic organizer.
Students turn their attention to New Zealand by reading a summary of its system of government and using New Zealand: Government and Economy to gather information. They complete a parallel graphic organizer for New Zealand, noting government type, independence date, legal system, branches of government, agricultural products, industries, and exports. Afterward, they post to a collaborative wall identifying several similarities and differences between Australia and New Zealand in terms of government and economy.
Teacher MovesSupport students in locating and interpreting key information about New Zealand’s government and economy, including features such as the role of the Maori in the legal system. Once organizers are complete, facilitate comparison by prompting students to notice patterns and contrasts in their posts, and highlight how geography may influence differences in agriculture, industry, and exports. If time permits, invite students to extend the comparison to include the United States.
Students investigate the relationship between Australia and New Zealand, using Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement and any additional sources they find. Drawing on their research, they write a paragraph on a collaborative wall explaining how the governmental relationship between the two countries supports both of their economies, using specific evidence from the trade agreement and other sources.
Teacher MovesGuide students in researching the political and economic ties between Australia and New Zealand, helping them interpret how agreements such as free trade shape economic cooperation. Provide feedback on students’ paragraphs, prompting them to clearly connect government relationships to economic outcomes and to support their explanations with concrete evidence.
Students read Australia and Oceania: Resources (stopping before “The Built Environment”) to learn how the region’s natural resources influence its economic activities. They then post a response explaining in their own words how these natural resources contribute to the region’s economy and reply to at least two classmates with a question or positive comment to extend the discussion.
Teacher MovesEnsure students focus on the sections of the article that describe key natural resources and related economic uses. Encourage them to connect specific resources to industries and exports in Australia and New Zealand. Monitor the discussion wall, prompting students to elaborate on their ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and make clear links between natural resources and economic development.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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