Shaping Success in the HASS classroom

Details of the sessions

Scaffolding Success: Using the ALARM Matrix to Develop Analysis and Extended Responses.

Presenter: Tully MacPherson.

This professional development session explores how the ALARM (A Learning and Responding Matrix) framework can be used to explicitly teach analytical thinking and extended response writing in HASS classrooms. Using historical case studies, the presentation demonstrates how ALARM supports students to move beyond narrative and description toward sustained, evidence-based analysis. Teachers will unpack the matrix, examine model responses, and engage with practical classroom strategies for scaffolding higher-order thinking, improving paragraph structure, and lifting the quality of student writing across stages. The session equips teachers with clear, transferable approaches to develop confident analytical thinkers and writers in HASS.

Practical History: Using archaeological methodology in the classroom

Presenter: Aaron Chettle

In this session, the presenter will draw from their academic and professional fieldwork and lab experiences to reveal the variety of ways in which they have crafted various lessons that build understanding through practical approaches.

Teaching about antisemitism and the Holocaust

Presenter: Justin Zammit

This session deals with teaching/combating antisemitism in the classroom and teaching the Holocaust safely and professionally through the use of themes, concepts and sources. The presenter will also show attendees approaches to a school excursion at the new Holocaust Museum in Darwin.

Embedding the National History Challenge in the curriculum

Presenter: Loraine Caldwell

The National History Challenge is a free, inquiry focused competition open to students from upper primary to Year 12. Students compete within their year levels and may also be eligible for special categories. This year’s theme is “Voices”. Join NT NHC Coordinator Loraine Caldwell to unpack the theme using both the Australian and SACE curricular to develop an assessment task that will double as an entry to the National History Challenge.

Become a member here: GHTANT | TidyHQ