Bringing Australia's Stolen Generations history into classrooms
Written by The Healing Foundation
Now more than ever it's important that we encourage and promote truth-telling in our classrooms. The Healing Foundation, together with Stolen Generations survivors and curriculum specialists, have done a lot of the work for you, with the updated, expanded and curriculum v9 aligned, 'Stolen Generations Resource Kit for Teacher and Students' ready to be used by educators across the country.
There are 4 lesson plans per year level from Foundation to year 12. These lessons can be delivered consecutively, or across the school year. You may decide to build on these lessons and work them into larger units, use them as assessment pieces, or use the resources (all online resources that are referenced are freely available) to make learning about the Stolen Generations suit your classroom. The lessons are all aligned to the curriculum, with Foundation - year 10 aligned to version 9!
The Kit makes it easy for school communities to hold conversations with students and the wider community by sharing firsthand experiences of Stolen Generations survivors, Australia’s history, and the impact of intergenerational trauma, using facts, real examples, and stories. The Kit is a classroom-ready package that will allow your whole school to easily connect with the cross-curriculum priority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
This teaching resource, first launched in 2019, was developed to introduce students to the experiences of Stolen Generations survivors. While the policies and suffering of the Stolen Generations is only one part of the ongoing story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it is an essential one to learn and to teach so students have a full understanding of the history of Australia.
Watch the video from teacher Jess Skinner to learn more.
The updated and expanded Stolen Generations Resource Kit for Teachers and Students includes lesson plans from Foundation/Prep through to Year 12, with activities aligned to version 9 of the Australian Curriculum covering more subjects than you could imagine. Importantly - it's available for FREE download.
Cultural consultation and guidance from Stolen Generations survivors has been an essential part of this project, with their stories at the forefront of these resources. The Healing Foundation has worked closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous teachers, parents, early childhood specialists and curriculum writers in the creation of the Kit.
Having spent time consulting with and listening to educators, the Kit now includes a range of new resources:
Plug-n-play PowerPoints for each year level;
Educator Guide – aimed at building confidence in the skills educators already have to feel prepared to teach content they may otherwise find challenging (using a range of tools, self-reflection checklists, referenced information, cultural protocols, and important dates);
These new resources are on top of the Kit's existing resources, Preparing Your Classroom, Survivor’s Stories and Timeline of Trauma and Healing.
If you're thinking this part of history doesn't fit your classroom - think again!
"As an Aerospace, Physics and Maths teacher, it is not always easy to incorporate respectful messaging about Stolen Generations and other Truth Telling.
Your timelines and postcards are wonderful resources to include in lessons. We talk history of Aerospace and can use your timeline. We can do astronomy in Physics and networking diagrams and Maths and use your postcard artwork. These are opportunities to pay respect to the Stolen Generations and include a bit of Truth Telling." Queensland Educator.
We've got that covered too. The Home Learning suite of online tools and lessons, based on our popular classroom lesson plans and activities, have been developed to make it easier for school communities and home-based learners, to continue the conversation about the Stolen Generations at home.
It is important to feel connected and grounded when learning about the Stolen Generations, and we encourage home learners to find a special and comfortable place in your home, outside in the garden or somewhere quiet such as a nearby park to undertake these lessons.
Just like the school-based kit, the activities support Foundation to Year 12, introducing students to the firsthand experiences of the Stolen Generations through stories, art, music and writing. They are largely designed to be done online by students, with the support of parents, carers and teachers, and also include information on how best to prepare your home for learning.
Grab yours now!
This kit is now being used in thousands of classrooms across the country. What's stopping you from having it in yours? Jump on our website and download your lesson plans now - http://www.healingfoundation.org.au/schools.
If you have any questions about the kit or want to have a yarn with The Healing Foundation, please email resources@healingfoundation.org.au
The Healing Foundation are a National Education Summit Melbourne Lanyard Sponsor.
