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Implementing Aboriginal Studies into the School Curriculum
Some necessary steps
 Become
familiar with the Aboriginal history of your area and with the
people and organisations there. Try to form personal links.- Undertake Personal Development. Familiarise yourself with
Aboriginal culture through listening to music, visiting art
exhibitions, reading widely....
- Undertake Professional Development. Take advantage of the in-sevices
organised by the Education
Bodies in your State.
- Audit your school's curriculum, personnel and resources.
Curriculum
What studies have your students already undertaken in this
area?
What can they reasonably be expected to know? What stories,
poetry. plays and other texts have they been exposed to?
Be aware of the essential
learnings and important understandings that should form
part of the formal study in this area.
Personnel
 Be
aware of the Aboriginal students in your classroom and the
need to be sensitive to them, their backgrounds and family
histories.
Are there Aboriginal members of staff, students and parents
who can be involved in planning and teaching the course with
you?
Are there teachers on staff with particular expertise in History,
Art and Music who can be involved?
What curriculum units does the school offer and can Departments
e.g. Religious Education and History work together?
Resources
Audit the school's resources and improve or add to the current
collection.
Consult authoriative guides in the selection and purchase
of materials.
Refer to: The
Selection Criteria for the evaluation of Aboriginal Studies
and Torres Strait Islander Studies Resources.
The
Murra Guidelines have been prepared for the evaluation of
Indigenous Content on the World Wide Web.
 Form
a network with the schools in your area to share teaching strategies
and resources.- Form a relationship with your local primary school(s) which
usually have a good collection of Aboriginal stories amongst
other material.
- Contact the local Indigenous Education Body and let them know
what you're hoping to do. If they are able to help you directly,
then follow their advice, otherwise make sure that you keep
them well informed about your program.
- Plan an excursion as part of your curriculum where students
will have access to Aboriginal Guides.
Any legitimate and effective inclusion of Aboriginal Studies
in the curriculum requires a committment to consultation with
Aboriginal people. The most effective way to develop respect for
and understanding of Aboriginal people and their cultures is to
experience positive and direct interaction. We must all learn
to listen to the voices of Aboriginal people.
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Teachers' Notes
CD Tour
Schools Showcase
Invitation
State Resources
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