Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curricula
A project led by Professor Marcia Langton at Melbourne University which developed a suite of cross curriculum resources for Years 3 – 10. The resources are compatible with all State and Territory curricula.
The resources relate to the three themes of Fire, water and astronomy and include lessons to incorporate Indigenous knowledge related to science, maths, technology, English, humanities, social studies, health and physical education.
- Indigenous Knowledge Resources for Australian School Curricula Project
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curricula Project is a University of Melbourne initiative which aims to empower all teachers to integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in their teaching using these curriculum resources that incorporate Indigenous knowledge.
The project is a partnership between the Indigenous Studies Unit (Centre for Health Equity, MDHS), the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and the Indigenous Knowledge Institute.
Inclusive Collection Development - Ruth Woolven
- Article on assessing and selecting diverse materialsAdam, Helen. (2016). Assessing and Selecting Culturally Diverse Literature for the Classroom. 21. 10-13.
- 50 words project
This project aims to provide fifty words in every Indigenous language of Australia. - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AstronomyThe First Nations cultures of Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders – speak over 250 distinct languages and stretch back for over 65,000 years. This makes the First Australians the oldest astronomers and the oldest continuing cultures in the world. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people developed a number of practical ways to observe the Sun, Moon and stars to inform navigation, calendars, and predict weather. Australia’s First Nations people assign meaning and agency to astronomical phenomena, which informs Law and social structure. It also serves as the foundation for narratives that are passed down the generations through song, dance, and oral tradition over tens of thousands of years.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library Information Resource NetworkAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library Information Resource Network (ATSILIRN) protocols as a guideline for best practice for working with Indigenous Australian peoples, content and collections
- About the Indigenous Weather Knowledge websiteLearn more about the Indigenous Weather Knowledge (IWK) website and the Bureau of Meteorology's commitment to strengthening respectful and collaborative relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- AUSTRALIAN LITERATURE’S GREAT SILENCEThe Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the systemic racism in Australian society; a new study suggests that we must question the very white stories told in our classrooms by Dr Alexander Bacalja, University of Melbourne
- Deadly QuestionsHow should schools teach about Aboriginal culture
- Magabala Books website for teaching notesMagabala Books website for teaching notes
- Maori resourcesLink to National Library of New Zealand selection criteria for Maori resources
- Navigating our Future podcastNavigating our Future podcast about teaching Australian Literature in Secondary schools
- Our Land, Our Stories Resource – books, cards and digital contentOur Land, Our Stories is a landmark series exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures. The series includes rare and historically important photographs, artwork and audio-visual resources, with many texts and stories written by leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors.
- Preparing for NAIDOC Week Online PD EventWelcome to a special online presentation to celebrate our outstanding Indigenous Australian creatives. Not only will you be prepared for NAIDOC Week, you will be able to up-date your knowledge of current Indigenous resources and how best to share them with your students.
Presenters: Jasmine Seymour, Leanne Mulgo Watson and Edie Wright are joined by Dub Leffler & Coral Vass who will give a special reading of Sorry Day to share with students after the event. - Readings listReadings list of Read First Nations Voices and Recommended First Nations Children’s Picture Books
- Selecting Indigenous resourcesThe teacher discusses how she works with colleagues to teach the Australian Curriculum through Aboriginal perspectives.
- Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultureTeaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and Koorie Protocols
- Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultureTeachers must follow protocols for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. These are known as the Koorie Cross-Curricular Protocols.
Twitter thread on inappropriate resources in a school library
Kerry Klim@flaskblak Sep 30 2020 thread including photos of books and notes on why they should be weeded.
Recommended books
- Welcome to Country by Marcia Langton – Adult and Youth Edition
- The Little Red Yellow Black Book by Bruce Pascoe
- Dark Emu and Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe. We have Young Dark Emu as a guided reading set in our upper primary.
- Nganga by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson for explanations of words and phrases
