Planning and programming
Remember the three objectives of the Aboriginal Languages K–10 Syllabus (Using Language, Making Linguistic Connections and Moving Between Cultures) – these can help guide your programming.
The way to use the syllabus effectively is to write a program that shows which of the outcomes the program intends to meet (from among those listed on pages 16–19 of the syllabus). Then, when you implement the program, you can compare the students’ performances with the required outcomes to see where improvements are needed.
We recommend the following process:
- Start with the scope and sequence and brainstorm themes and topics. (See page 9 of the Advice on Programming and Assessment support document for some ideas that could trigger the brainstorm.)
- Write draft units of work based on the themes and topics that you’ve decided on.
- Connect (or map) the draft units of work with syllabus outcomes.
- Finalise the units of work taking into account the outcomes from the mapping exercise.
The only way a school can prove what’s really happening in the teaching and learning of the language is through a carefully constructed program of units of work. A full program of units of work might also be required when funding applications are evaluated. (A full program of units of work will address all the syllabus outcomes. See pages 10–11 of the Advice on Programming and Assessment support document.)
The units of work and program should reflect what’s going on in the classroom. Developing them is not meant to be an empty paperwork exercise for classroom teachers to write alone nor simply a task to secure funding.
Developing units of work is a collaborative, team-building exercise based on sound teaching practice.
We recommend you use the same templates for the Scope and Sequence Plan, for the Unit of Work and for the Outcomes Mapping Grid as those used in the Advice on Programming and Assessment support document, but you could use any that you are most comfortable with, as long as you include all the information that is required.
Download or read the Scope and Sequence template (Word, 24k).
Download or read the Unit of Work template (Word, 56k).
Don’t go into too much detail. Remember, a unit of work is not a lesson plan.
When people are working together they all need to know what’s happening and having a program of units of work is one way that everyone knows what they’ll be doing each term and over the whole year.
Culture is embedded in the language, so by teaching language you are teaching culture. Cultural content can also be taught in some lessons in English. In both cases, Community Language Tutors need to be involved in programming to ensure that the cultural content is accurate and appropriate.