The horse and carriage

History

The Australian curriculum: History

The Australian Curriculum: History aims to ensure that students develop:

interest in, and enjoyment of, historical study for lifelong learning and work, including their capacity and willingness to be informed and active citizens
knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the past and the forces that shape societies, including Australian society
understanding and use of historical concepts, such as evidence, continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, empathy, significance and contestability
capacity to undertake historical inquiry, including skills in the analysis and use of sources, and in explanation and communication.

This resource contains extracts from the Australian Curriculum and is current as at 25 May 2011. © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority 2010.
ACARA neither endorses nor verifies the accuracy of the information provided and accepts no responsibility for incomplete or inaccurate information. You can find the unaltered and most up to date version of this material at http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home
This material is reproduced with the permission of ACARA.

History activities [3]

Activity 1: The horse before the carriage

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Subtheme(s): Transport

The horse-drawn carriage was used as early as the 1600s in Europe. It was a basic cart on wheels, which made for a very uncomfortable ride. By the 1700s, carriages were made with better suspension, interiors and shelters. Those who couldn't afford a coach walked. In the late 1800s in Australia, coaches varied from very basic to very comfortable, depending on what a family could afford.

The horse-drawn carriage is the main mode of transport depicted in Episode 13: Victoria: 1888.

Discover

Students research the development of the horse-drawn carriage as a transport vehicle and create a digital photo story (biopic). Students can use a software program to complete this task.
Some helpful websites include:

Powerhouse Museum, http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/search_tags.php?tag=horse+drawn+carriage
A brief history of the automobile, http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/heritage_automobile.htm
Department of Transport Victoria, http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/transport.nsf/allDocs/RWPE06934B7A6094C844A256AFD001C4975?OpenDocument

Activity 2: Horses for courses

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Subtheme(s): Transport

Discover

The horse and carriage industry is still operating in Australia. Complete an internet search and help students locate where carriages are being used. Utilise some of these examples to help students create a mini-compendium.
Students work in small groups to create a mini-compendium: 'Ten modern uses for the horse and carriage.'

Reflect

Students are encouraged to think about the 'real life' utilisation of a horse-drawn carriage in today's society. Students are prompted to be innovative in designing the modern day version of this mode of transport.

Download

Student Activity Sheet H13.9: A horse or a carriage?

Activity 3: Cobb & Co

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Subtheme(s): Transport

Discover

The horse and carriage industry in Australia was exemplified by Cobb & Co. Complete an internet search and help students find information about the foundation of this company and its impact on transport and exploration in the 19th century.

Reflect

Students work in small groups to create a newspaper advertisement for Cobb & Co that could have been published in 1888. Make sure students consider effective layout of information, text and image. They should also design the advertisement for readers of the time.
Alternatively, the students could design an advertisement for the use of Cobb & Co coaches in today's society.