The 1970s Dawn Raids:
exploring historical literacy through the
context of a significant New Zealand event
Mary Libby and Stephanie Ashton
SocCon 2013
Using the context of the 1970s Dawn Raids
we intend to:
• clarify understandings of historical literacies
• consider ways to support students through the
literacy demands inherent in engaging with the
historical concepts of:
–
–
–
–
perspectives
bias or propaganda
cause and effect
significance
Co-constructing a definition of
Historical Literacies
In our efforts to
co-construct
a working definition of
‘historical literacies’
we will chunk
Jeffery D Nokes’
2011 paper
Contextualizing the 1970s Dawn Raids
One way to contextualize an unfamiliar historical
event is by starting with non-text based rather than
text based sources. This hooks the student into the
context and gives them a foundation for their new
learnings.
Contextual Demands
(Dawn Raids)
STUDENT
Literacy Demands
Learning Demands
(Comprehension and Vocabulary)
(Historical Concepts)
Secondary Non-Text Based Source:
Dawn Raids Documentary
Dawn Raids Documentary
(NZ OnScreen 2005)
Contextualized Texts
Another strategy is to use highly contextualized texts to
support students in understanding the context so they
can engage in the literacy and learning demands of
their new learning (e.g. historical concepts)
Primary Text Based Source:
What makes this text highly contextualized and how
could it help students to engage with historical concepts?
References
• Nokes, J (2011): Historical Literacy
• NZ On Air Documentary (2005): Dawn Raids (Clip One)
• Amnesty Aroha (Organisation) (1976): Information
sheet - Dawn raids, the ugly reality