ACARA Update, 8 February 2017
New curriculum resources released
The 'Resources' section of the Australian Curriculum website has been updated with the following new features, designed to assist teachers with the implementation of the Australian Curriculum.
Launch of Curriculum Connections
ACARA has launched a new resource that identifies connections that exist across learning areas of the Australian Curriculum on consumer and financial literacy, food and fibre, food and wellbeing, and outdoor learning.
ACARA collaborated with a number of expert organisations on the resource, which is designed to assist teachers in developing interdisciplinary programs and support the delivery of the Australian Curriculum.
"The Curriculum Connections resource provides engaging and relevant contexts for delivering the Australian Curriculum,” said ACARA CEO, Robert Randall.
“Drawing on content from across learning areas and the three dimensions of the Australian Curriculum can help teachers deliver authentic and meaningful programs through real-world applications. This can increase students’ engagement and deepen their learning.”
Consumer and financial literacy. ACARA has released an online resource to support the teaching of consumer and financial literacy through the Australian Curriculum, including Mathematics, Business and Economics.
Developed in partnership with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Tax Office (ATO), the resource allows educators to filter information and develop educational programs on issues such as budgeting, navigating the ever-changing consumer and financial landscape, consumer rights and responsibilities, and where to go to for assistance.
Food and fibre. Developed in consultation with the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA), the food and fibre connection looks at the production of the food we eat, the fibres we use and includes marketing, consumption and the sustainable use of resources. That is, from ‘paddock to plate’ or ‘forest to building’ and beyond.
Food and wellbeing. Developed in consultation with the Home Economics Institute of Australia (HEIA), the food and wellbeing connection supports teaching about individuals, families and communities, the nature of food and food safety, and how to make informed and appropriate food preparation choices.
Outdoor learning. Developed in consultation with Outdoor Education Australia (OEA), the outdoor learning connection engages students in practical and active learning experiences in environments beyond the classroom, increases their understanding and appreciation of the environment and promotes the value of sustainable use and life-long outdoor recreation for enjoyment, health and wellbeing.
Visit Curriculum Connections on the ‘Resources’ section of the Australian Curriculum website.
Maths proficiencies: new student demonstration videos
The Mathematics Proficiencies resource on the Australian Curriculum website has been updated with student demonstration videos to accompany student worksheets. The annotated clips feature students at different year levels demonstrating the four proficiency areas of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics – understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning – while undertaking mathematical tasks.
The Mathematics Proficiencies resource provides illustrations of practice and student work samples gathered from primary and secondary schools from different sectors across Australia.
The resource was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, and was developed to assist teachers to incorporate the proficiencies into teaching practice.
The videos are now available on the ‘Resources‘ section of the Australian Curriculum website.