This resource is appropriate for all age groups, as while it is addressed at some schools, there are other schools that do not make their students aware or familiarise their students with the Acknowledgement of Country. AITSL Standard 2.4 focus’ on the understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians (AITSL 2022:5). The Acknowledgement of Country encourages everyone to pay their respects to the traditional owners and is an important part of living in Australia. The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration goal 1 also supports this resource as the goal is for the Australian Education system to promote excellence and equity (Education Council 2019:5). In collaboration with the Government, it is to be insured that young Australians of all backgrounds are supported to achieve their pull educational potential, and by addressing the Acknowledgement of Country, it prevents discrimination and naivety within the classroom (Education Council 2019:5). The video resource of the Acknowledgement of country is an appropriate resource to take through, supporting the theme of Country and supporting AITSL Standard 2.4. 

This resource is specified for Year 3 students, as it directly corresponds to the Australian Curriculum elaborations ACELT1594 Literature and Context, ACELT1596 Responding to Literature and ACELT1719 Creating Literature (Australian Curriculum 2022). Alternatively, Australians Together have many resources from Prep to Year 10. AITSL Standard 1.4 focus’ on strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (AITSL 2022:5). It ensures for demonstrated broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds (AITSL 2022:5). This resource ensures for this focus as students gain an understanding a knowledge through reading stories and creating literature in this lesson plan. The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration goal 2 also supports this resource as the goal is for all young Australians become confident and creative individuals and informed members of the community. This activity helps to develop personal values and enables students to relate well to others, which is one of the purposes of goal 2 (Education Council 2019:5) The resource allows for students to grasp the understanding of the theme reciprocity with support with AITSL standard 1.4 and goal 2 of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration. 

This resource can be supported by many content descriptions in the Victorian Curriculum, for example, VCELT148 (recognising that texts ate created by authors who tell stories and share experiences that may be similar or different to students’ own experience) (Victorian Curriculum 2022:VCELT148) . The elaboration of this content description is to view stories by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers, and Aunty Fay is exactly that. The book ‘Respect’ not only allows for storytelling, as well as implies the example to respect Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. This also gives the students the opportunity to relate or compare their own stories with Aunty Fay’s and engage with the text on a personal level. This resource also supports AITSL Standard 2.4 as it allows for the understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (AITSL 2022:5). This book is a great way to expand the student’s knowledge, understanding and respect for Indigenous culture through the history and storytelling. This can avoid unconscious bias and promote inclusivity within the classroom and outside of the classroom. ‘Respect’ by Aunty Fay Nuir, Sue Lawson and Lisa Kennedy is a great resource to be used in the classroom and is supported by AITSL 2.4 and VCELT148. 

 

This resource is supported by VCGGK063 in the Victorian Curriculum. VCGGK063 covers the representation of location of places and their features on maps and models, with the elaboration of identifying how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples represent the location of Country (Victorian Curriculum 2022:VCGG063). This map allows for students to examine the location of places on the map and allows for greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent the location of Country. This resource is also supported by AITSL standard 2.4 as this allows for understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages (AITSL 2022:5). Students will identify each Tribe and its location which creates respect for the original owners of the land and creating a deeper understanding for the places we visit and reside. This will further enhance a students’ respect for Country and the land we live on. This map resource with the theme of Country is supported by AITSL standard 2.4 and VCGG063 of the Victorian Curriculum.