Answer To: In Assessment 1, you critically reviewed four focus areas. These were:history and...
Ayan answered on Mar 29 2023
Written Assignment 2
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Table of contents
Introduction 3
Curriculum Resources 4
Teaching Strategies 5
AITSL Focus Area 1.4 6
AITSL Focus Area 2.4 8
Supporting Student Wellbeing and Safety 9
Conclusion 10
References 12
Introduction
This essay aims to explore the promotion of reconciliation in the context of teaching for reconciliation, specifically in the subject of English for Year 7 students. The focus area chosen for this essay is teaching for reconciliation, which involves fostering an understanding of the history, cultures, and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The Australian Curriculum provides a framework for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and perspectives across all learning areas. However, it is important to critically review the curriculum resources used to ensure that they are appropriate and relevant to the subject and year level, and that they align with the principles of teaching for reconciliation. This essay will critically review two curriculum resources - "The Rabbits" by John Marsden and Shaun Tan and "My Place" by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins. These resources have been chosen for their potential to promote reconciliation by encouraging empathy, understanding, and critical reflection on the experiences of Indigenous Australians.
Furthermore, this essay will identify two teaching strategies - story-sharing and the use of Indigenous texts - that can support the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the English classroom. These strategies are essential for promoting reconciliation as they can help to counter stereotypes, challenge biases, and create a sense of shared understanding and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. In addition, this essay will clarify the professional complexities of achieving AITSL Focus Areas 1.4 and 2.4, which relate to the strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and understanding and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation, respectively. These complexities highlight the need for teachers to have a broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity, and linguistic background on the education of Indigenous students, as well as the histories, cultures, and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Finally, this essay will conclude with a statement on how strategies that support students' wellbeing and safety will be incorporated into the teaching of English for Year 7 students. It is essential to ensure that students feel safe, respected, and supported in the classroom to promote their engagement and achievement in learning.
Curriculum Resources
In teaching English to Year 7 students, two curriculum resources that can promote reconciliation and an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and perspectives are "The Rabbits" by John Marsden and Shaun Tan and "My Place" by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins. "The Rabbits" is a picture book that explores the invasion and colonization of Australia from the perspective of the rabbits, representing the British colonizers. The text is visually striking, with illustrations that depict the destruction of the land, the loss of Indigenous culture and language, and the impact of colonization on the environment and Indigenous peoples. The text encourages students to reflect critically on the history and consequences of colonization, and to empathize with the experiences of Indigenous Australians (AITSL, 2017). "My Place" is a novel that tells the stories of different generations of a family living in the same house in Sydney, spanning from pre-European settlement to the present day. The text presents a range of perspectives on Indigenous history, including the arrival of Europeans, the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples, and the experiences of Indigenous Australians today. "My Place" invites students to connect with the experiences of Indigenous Australians, to develop empathy and understanding, and to challenge stereotypes and biases.
Both of these resources are appropriate for teaching English to Year 7 students, as they encourage critical thinking, reflection, and empathy. They provide opportunities for students to explore and understand the impact of colonization on Indigenous Australians, as well as the ongoing struggles for recognition and respect. However, it is important to critically review these resources to ensure that they are culturally appropriate, accurate, and sensitive to Indigenous perspectives. Teachers should consult with Indigenous communities, elders, and cultural advisors to ensure that the resources align with the principles of teaching for reconciliation and promote respectful engagement with Indigenous cultures and perspectives. In conclusion, "The Rabbits" and "My Place" are two curriculum resources that can promote reconciliation in the teaching of English to Year 7 students. They encourage critical reflection, empathy, and understanding, and provide opportunities to explore and understand the impact of colonization on Indigenous Australians. However, it is important to critically review these resources and consult with Indigenous communities to ensure that they are culturally appropriate and respectful.
Teaching Strategies
Two teaching strategies that support the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the teaching of English to Year 7 students are the use of literature circles and the incorporation of local Indigenous knowledge and stories. Literature circles are small groups of students who come together to discuss a particular text, often...