Knowledge of Multicultural Literature
To what degree does your knowledge of multicultural literature enable you to support your teachers in implementing the essential knowledge, understandings and skills for this priority area?
With Australians looking more frequently to their closest neighbours strategically, politically and culturally, a greater understanding of the region is important moving forward. As such, Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia has been established as a Cross-curriculum Priority in the Australian Curriculum (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2010 to present-a). The General Capability of Intercultural Understanding is closely linked to this priority because students are required to develop an understanding and respect for other cultures (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2010 to present-b).
Off the top of my head, I don’t think I have a great knowledge in this area. My multicultural reading experiences are very limited as I tend to focus my reading through a more local lens.
I know that we have a range of multicultural texts in the library at school, particularly in the picture book section. On my last pass through its contents, I saw a range of books with depictions of Asian cultures on front covers, and many of those books have passed through the circulation desk.
This is definitely an area I would need to work on to support my teachers!
References
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2010 to present-a). Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia. In Australian curriculum: F-10 curriculum. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/cross-curriculum-priorities/asia-and-australia-s-engagement-with-asia/
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2010 to present-b). Intercultural understanding. In Australian curriculum: F-10 curriculum. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/intercultural-understanding/