Module 2 - Australian Curriculum: English K-6
An introduction and briefing session for NSW DET primary schools
Target audience: whole staff
Purpose: to use as a professional learning activity during Staff Development Days or staff
meetings
Preparation:
Suggested materials: one copy of the draft Australian Curriculum documents per group (staff
may work in year/stage teams or subject groups)
Optional: a copy of the Year 3 content (pp. 27-33 of the draft curriculum) for each participant
Icons
Present information to the whole
group
Links to the internet
Watch a video
Focus questions to form the basis
of a discussion
An activity for small groups
Duration of the activity
_________________________________________________________________________
Step 1: Overview of this module
5 min
Show slides 1 and 2 of the presentation to give participants a sense of the layout
and scope of the draft Australian Curriculum for English.
Throughout the presentation there will be key points for discussion and focus
questions. (See speaker notes for detail.)
The document, What are the key features of the draft K-10 Australian Curriculum
for English? can provide background information to facilitate the discussion.
Watch the Introduction to English video
There is also a recording from video conference that introduces the English
primary curriculum (flv, 64.3 MB)
Step 2: Looking forward – looking back
5 min
Talk to slide 3 of the presentation to give participants a chance to look forward to
the new curriculum and look back to map it against our current syllabus.
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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Looking forward

Is this curriculum everything we want it to be for students in the 21st
century?

Does the learning matter? Will this curriculum make a difference for
students now and in the future?
Looking back
Mapping this draft curriculum against our current NSW English syllabus

Are the standards or expectations similar?

Similarities and differences?

Anything missing?

Additional or new content?
Step 3: Explore the draft Australian English curriculum
10 min
Show slide 4 of the presentation to take participants through the draft Australian
English curriculum webpage to become familiar with functionality and content.
Slide 5 explores the Rationale and aims
Slides 6, 7 and 8 outline the Content strands
Step 4: Year 3 content example - preface
5 min
Slide 9 uses Year 3 as an example to walk through a year, to examine the content
and consider the student, by first looking at the preface.
Provide time for teachers to read through the preface for Year 3.
Step 5: Language strand example
5-10 min
Slide 10 shows the content descriptions in the Language strand for Year 3.
Provide time for teachers to read through all the content descriptions and
elaborations for this strand.
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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Step 6: Literature strand example
5-10 min
Slide 11 shows the content descriptions in the Literature strand for Year 3. This
Year 3 example shows that the first content description engaging with texts.
Provide time for teachers to read through all the content descriptions and
elaborations for this strand.
Step 7: Literacy strand example
5-15 min
Slide 12 shows the content descriptions in the Literacy strand for Year 3. This Year
3 example shows that the first content description oral communication skills.
Provide time for teachers to read through all the content descriptions and
elaborations for this strand.
Step 8: Achievement standards
5-10 min
There are achievement standards for each year. They include ‘fundamental skills’
which are explicit in each of the strands. Slide 13 shows an example of the
achievement standards for Year 3.
Provide time for teachers to read through the achievement standards for this
strand.
Step 9: Optional group activity 1: Looking at the strands
30 min
Slide 14 provides a structure for looking at the strands.
Choose a strand (language, literature or literacy). Start with a familiar year level
and look across (at the year before and after)

Is the intention of the strand clear in the content descriptions and
elaborations?

Is there a sense of development and consistency through the year levels?
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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Step 10: Optional group activity 2: Looking at the years
30 min
Slide 15 provides a structure for looking at the year levels.
Choose a year level. Look at either side of the year

How are the strands interwoven in a year level?

How do the modes work within these strands?

Any comments about the expectations of students at this year level?
Step 11: Looking forward- looking back
5-10 min
Slide 16 provides a structure for providing general feedback.
Step back from the document, think about and discuss the original focus
questions, again.
Looking forward

Is this curriculum everything we want it to be for students in the 21st
century?

Does the learning matter? Will this curriculum make a difference for
students now and in the future?
Looking back

Mapping it against our current NSW English syllabus

Are the standards or expectations similar? Similarities and differences?
Anything missing? Additional or new content?
Time guide: 50 mins power point presentation
70 mins including working through Yr 3 sample content and discussion
(with additional 30 mins for group activity for stages/grades)
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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