Educator Professional Development | Culturally Responsive Mathematics | First Nations Histories and Cultures in the Maths Curriculum

This full day workshop will delve into First Nations histories and cultures content in the latest version of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. Perfect for current educators and pre-service teachers of years Foundation – Year 10.

In this workshop educators will:

• gain a deeper understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority in the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics and how to respectfully and appropriately deliver this in the maths classroom  
• learn about ways to connect mathematics with First Nations cultures including through material culture items such as projectile technologies
  
• learn about The Goompi Model that provides a framework to develop lesson strategies, plans and ideas that can be adapted to your school's context

The day will start with a private tour of the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Galleries with Dr Jared Thomas. Important connections will be made with relevant items in the Museum such as projectile technologies (e.g. spear throwers), instructional games, and fishing nets and traps.

Following the tour, participants will attend a workshop facilitated by Dr Caty Morris, where educators will receive access to lesson plan examples and teacher background information to support curriculum planning. Local contexts will be explored with the opportunity for some collaborative planning at the end of the day. 

Participants will receive a certificate for 7 hours of professional development addressing the following Professional Standards:

• Professional Knowledge 1.4 Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 
• Professional Knowledge 2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. 
• Professional Practice 3.4 Select and use resources.

Running order:

• 08.30 Arrival tea & coffee
  
• 09.00 Part 1
• 10.30 Morning tea, networking & activity
• 11.00 Part 2
• 12.00 Lunch
• 12.45 Part 3
• 15.00 Part 4
• 15.45 Summary & conclusion

Facilitated by:

• Dr Jared Thomas, William and Margaret Geary Research Fellow, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Material Culture and Art. Jared is a Nukunu man from the Southern Flinders Ranges, is a curator, arts administrator, international award-winning author and change maker.
  
• Dr Caty Morris, Project Manager at the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance. Caty works on initiatives to support all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners be successful at mathematics. Caty was the Curriculum Specialist, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education at ACARA and was involved in curriculum development in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures content and research in educational policy. In 2017, she received a doctorate for her research in responsive mathematics pedagogy with Aboriginal learners.
  
  

Acknowledgements

• Maths in Schools: Teaching and Learning Resources to support Mathematics is an initiative of, and funded by, the Australian Government Department of Education. The Maths in Schools Professional Learning program is delivered by the CSER Group at The University of Adelaide.
• Header image description: An adult and child are out of focus as they walk past a wall of painted wooden shields. Photo credit: Sia Duff.