Monday, March 18, 2013

Key Messages

I attend a four day training last week and some key messages came out during the sessions as well as some interesting ways of looking at history. I have selected my top 5 below to share with you:
  • Australian Curriculum content is mandated, not the elaborations. 
    • For example in Year 1 "Differences in family structures and roles today, and how these have changed or remained the same over time" is to be taught and therefore is mandated. The elaboration "comparing families in the present with those from the recent past (the families of parents and grandparents) in terms of their size and structure (for example the different types of family such as nuclear, single parent, blended)" is not mandated. It is an example of what can be done. (http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/)
  • Western Australia (at this point in time) is not required to assess or report on the cross curriculum priorities & general capabilities. Some states have chosen to report on these, but not WA. The school can continue to report on Time, Continuity and Change until mid 2015.
  • History is moving from a noun to a verb. History is active, not passive. It encourages students to interpret, debate and to think about past and future challenges and values.
  • When teaching History we need to become comfortable with the fact that we don't know everything. This is often difficult for teachers. We need to research alongside our students. Make discoveries and share what we know and what we don't know.
  • In History, make sure the year levels stick to the topics. Although ANZAC Day is a topic across the school, only the year levels that have it in their curriculum need to look at it in greater depth. It is required in the Year 3 Curriculum: Days and weeks celebrated or commemorated in Australia (including Australia Day, ANZAC Day, Harmony Week, National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC week and National Sorry Day) and the importance of symbols and emblems. (http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/)
Some food for thought.

Happy History!
Mr Stephen Powell
TDS Coordinator
Year 2/3 Level 3 Classroom Teacher

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