In the first edition of Primary matters for 2020 we unpack Australian Curriculum resources known as curriculum connections. These resources provide opportunities for teachers to make connections across the dimensions of the Australian Curriculum, based on different conceptual themes.
Curriculum connection resources have been developed for the following:
- consumer and financial literacy
- food and fibre
- food and wellbeing
- online safety
- outdoor learning.
Each curriculum connection includes the rationale and structure of the connection, and a range of resources such as useful links.
- What aspects of the curriculum connections could be useful in my planning?
- How can I develop the themes from the curriculum connections in my school?
- What opportunities do the curriculum connections provide for professional learning?
- How can I use the curriculum connections to create interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students?
- How can I link the three dimensions of the Australian Curriculum using curriculum connections?
- Which curriculum connection could I start with?
A curriculum connection:
- illustrates relationships across the dimensions of the Australian Curriculum
- offers opportunities to explore the cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities
- works as a starting point for building interdisciplinary units
- provides a framework for guided, integrated learning
- connects teachers to a range of interdisciplinary resources
- provides multiple pathways to search, access and organise content to support learning.
"Kids can grow fine up without nature, but with it, there are marked improvements in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning ability, creativity and mental, psychological and spiritual health.” (Richard Louv, 2010)
The outdoor learning curriculum connection provides a framework for students to experience guided, integrated learning across the curriculum in natural environments.
The four dimensions of this connection are:
- skills and knowledge
- human–nature relationships
- conservation and sustainability
- health and wellbeing.
The four dimensions have been developed in consultation with Outdoor Education Australia. The dimensions suggest that to maximise its effectiveness, learning should be sequential.
There are work samples that have been published for this connection. Each sample outlines a summary of the task and connection to learning area achievement standards.
Examples of primary outdoor learning work samples
The work samples demonstrate student learning in relation to achievement standards.
In the outdoor learning connection, the samples include the task summary, the relevant learning area achievement standard and the completed task, annotated to indicate achievement against the standard. The achievement standard includes highlighted sections reflecting the aspects being assessed.
The work samples can assist teachers by providing:
- initial ideas for task development in relation to achievement standards
- exemplar tasks
- exemplification of standards
- a benchmark to use for comparison when assessing
- a range of pedagogical approaches
- a stimulus for moderation and professional discussions.
“In an increasingly complex, connected and rapidly changing world, it is critical for every young Australian to develop the skills needed to flourish as healthy, safe, confident and digitally literate citizens.” (ACARA, 2019)
At the end of 2019, ACARA added an online safety curriculum connection to the suite of curriculum connections published on the Australian Curriculum website. This curriculum connection provides information and resources for educators to assist the development of teaching and learning programs about online safety, tailored to meet the needs of their school.
The curriculum connection is based around five interrelated dimensions of online safety:
- values, rights and responsibilities
- wellbeing
- respectful relationships
- digital media literacy
- informed and safe use of information and devices.
These dimensions of learning have been developed in consultation with the eSafety Commissioner and are aligned to learning area content, general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities.
The connection can be found here:
https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/curriculum-connections/portfolios/online-safety/
“Knowing how to manage personal finances is one of the most important and challenging features of everyday life. It is a core skill in today’s world. It affects quality of life, the opportunities individuals and families can pursue, their sense of security and the overall economic health of Australian society.” National Financial Literacy Strategy (ASIC, 2011)
This curriculum connection provides authentic contexts that teachers can use to deliver the Australian Curriculum in an interdisciplinary way. This connection is designed to:
- guide teachers in identifying content in the Australian Curriculum that supports the teaching and learning of consumer and financial literacy
- connect teachers to a range of interdisciplinary resources that have been developed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Moneysmart for teachers) and the Australian Taxation Office (Tax, Super and You) to support the teaching and learning of consumer and financial literacy.
“There are increasing community concerns about food issues, including the nutritional quality of food and the environmental impact of food manufacturing processes. Students need to understand the importance of a variety of foods, sound nutrition principles and food preparation skills when making food decisions to help better prepare them for their future lives.” (ACARA, 2019)
This curriculum connection looks to develop young Australians’ understanding and appreciation of the importance of good nutrition for health and wellbeing. The food and wellbeing curriculum connection is differentiated for the different stages of schooling. In Foundation – Year 6, the dimensions of this learning are:
- individuals, families and communities
- nutrition and food specialisations.
In this connection, specific concepts can be addressed:
- Becoming independent – developing independence by making decisions and taking action
- Connecting with others – understanding how to interact and live with others and understanding how decisions impact on others
- Taking actions towards preferred futures – understanding of, and sense of responsibility for, decisions and actions that promote preferred futures
- Creating designed solutions – creating designed solutions using design processes and production skills.
Additional resources and publications can be located through the 'Resources/publication' tab on the Australian Curriculum website.
Like what you see? Subscribe to receive Primary Matters four times a year to your inbox or email story suggestions and feedback to [email protected].