Plan smarter to embed
cross-curriculum priorities
Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
Sally Rawlings
Deputy Head
Woodleigh School
Minimbah Campus
Frankston South, Victoria
This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002.
He was born with 2 legs - He couldn’t walk and even
his mother didn’t want him.
His first owner also didn’t think that he could
survive and he was thinking of putting him to
sleep.
But then, his present owner, met him and wanted
to take care of him.
She became determined to teach and train this little dog to
walk by himself .
She named him 'Faith'.
In the beginning, she put Faith on a
surfboard to let him feel movement.
Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a
reward for him for standing up and jumping
around.
Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith
learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move
forward then to walk on his hind legs.
He is famous on the international scene and has
appeared in various newspapers and on TV
shows.
He was even considered to appear in one of
Harry Potter movies.
In life there are always challenges , so in order to feel
better you just need to look at life from another
perspective and never give up.
Which brings us to the Australian
Curriculum!
Cross curriculum priorities in each subject /
domain
The Australian curriculum states that cross-curriculum priorities:
• will have a strong but varying presence depending on their relevance to the
learning areas.
• will be supported through links within the content descriptors that draw
attention to the need and opportunity to address the cross-curriculum
priorities at this time.
• will be supported through elaborations that provide further advice on how to
embed these priorities, or teachers can click on the hyperlink (see also Scootle)
which will provide further links to more detailed information on each priority.
• http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/English/Curriculum/F-10#level4
Sustainability
Organising Ideas
• Systems (social, economic and ecological systems, ecosystems, biosphere)
• World views (dependence of on healthy ecosystems, and valuing diversity
and social justice)
• Futures (values of care, respect and responsibility; need to explore and
understand environments; evaluation of past practices; assessment of
scientific and technological developments; balanced judgments based on
projected future economic, social and environmental impacts; preserve
and/or restore the quality and uniqueness of environments. )
•
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Sustainability
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
Organising Ideas
• Country / Place (two distinct Indigenous groups; special connection to and
responsibility for Country/Place; unique belief systems and are spiritually
connected to the land, sea, sky and waterways.)
• Culture (many language groups; express ways of life through being, knowing,
thinking and doing; experiences can be viewed through historical, social and
political lenses.)
• People (a diversity of nations across Australia; family and kinship structures;
local and global contributions.)
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Aboriginal-and-TorresStrait-Islander-histories-and-cultures
Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
Organising Ideas
• Asia and its diversity (diverse ethnic backgrounds, traditions, cultures,
belief systems and religions.; use of diverse environments global
implications.)
• Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia (contributions to
world history and human endeavour; arts and literature of Asia influence
aesthetic and creative pursuits within Australia.)
• Asia-Australia engagement (Collaboration and engagement with the
peoples of Asia; our histories from ancient times to the present are linked;
Australians play a significant role in social, cultural, political and economic
developments in the Asia region.)
• http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Asiaand-Australias-engagement-with-Asia
Embedding Cross-curriculum priorities into your planning
Task:
Use the yearly overview planning sheet (provided) to identify the units of work you
teach each term.
Using the cross-curriculum priorities, identify the key concepts within each of the
organising ideas and determine where the natural links fall within your subject/s
area.
Accessing the Australian Curriculum website, locate content descriptors that
support your intended learning outcomes and follow the hyperlinks to develop your
unit planner/s.
Year level focus
Cross curriculum
priority
Sustainability – systems & world views
A&TSI histories and cultures – country / place
ICT
Critical and creative thinking
Literacy
Ethical understanding
Personal and social capability
Key concepts &
Cross curriculum
content
Key inquiry
questions
General
capabilities
Term 2
Treading Lightly
Science – Earth’s resources, Biological science
What is the relationship between people and the environment?
What can you learn from observing an environment?

Sustainability
World views are formed by experiences at personal, local, national and global levels,
and are linked to individual and community actions for sustainability.
All life forms, including human life, are connected through ecosystems on which
they depend for their wellbeing and survival.
A&TSI people have a special connection to and responsibility for Country/Place


make observations in the field
analyse data collected,

collate information in a meaningful way

present understandings to an audience


Skills
Science inquiry