The Australian Curriculum (ACARA) offers many opportunities to teach about First Nations Australian (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) topics. I always suggest you bring your local school Elder into your classroom as much as possible to talk to the students about local traditions, stories and places of significance locally.
However, Elders become very busy, especially around NAIDOC or Sorry Day. I suggest gathering a wide collection of picture books and stories from First Nations authors and illustrators to share with students.
Here is a list of books I recommend keeping on hand that ties in beautifully with the new Australian Curriculum 9.0 for HASS.
Mum’s Elephant by Maureen Jipiyiliya Nampijinpa O’Keefe and illustrated by Christina Booth
ISBN-13 : 978-1925936728
Topics: family, culture, connection to the land, how memories are kept
The Dunggiirr Brothers and the Caring Song of the Whale By Shaa Smith & Neeyan Smith
ISBN: 9781760526313
Topics: memories, connection to the land, storytelling, culture
Respect by Aunty Fay Muir
ISBN-13 : 978-1925936315
Topics: culture, family
Alfie’s Big Wish by David Hardy
ISBN 9781922142535
Topics: friendship, growing up, connection to the land, culture
Silly Birds by Gregg Dreise
ISBN 9781922142993
Topics: connection to the land, culture
Baby Business by Jasmine Seymour
ISBN 9781925768671
Topics: Welcome to Country, connection to the land, culture, family
Finding Our Heart A Story about the Uluru Statement for Young Australians by Thomas Mayor
ISBN: 9781741177176
Topics: connection to the land, culture, places of Aboriginal significance
Welcome To Country Hardcover by Lisa Kennedy, Aunty Joy Murphy
ISBN-13 : 978-1922244871
Topics: connection to the land, culture, Welcome to Country
My Country Hardcover by Ezekiel Kwaymullina
ISBN-13 : 978-1925816075
Topics: Connection to the land, Welcome to Country, culture
Ceremony: Welcome to Our Country by David Hardy, Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing
ISBN-13 : 978-1761065064
Topics: Welcome to Country, culture and tradition
