8715 Vmc Cdw Teachers Resource Kit

8/20/2019 8715 Vmc Cdw Teachers Resource Kit

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Teachers’Resource Kit

2015

strengthening our community

Proudly presented by


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Strengthening Our Community

14–22 March 2015

Victoria celebrates Cultural Diversity Weekannually to coincide with the United Nations

International Day for the Elimination of RacialDiscrimination on 21 March.

Cultural Diversity Week provides

an opportunity for Victorians of all

ages to participate in and acknowledge

the benefits that social, religious and

linguistic diversity bring to our state.

It is a time to;

celebrate multiculturalism,

denounce racism,

and promote social harmony

and mutual respect.

2 CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015 | TEACHERS’ RESOURCE KIT


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The Victorian Multicultural

Commission encourages allschools to participate in CulturalDiversity Week – there are manyways that teachers can get theirstudents involved.

In this resource kit we hope to provide you with

some inspiration to help you plan lessons, activities,

excursions and events to explore themes around

cultural diversity.

The suggested activities in this kit should be seenas a starting point for multicultural education

in schools. Multicultural perspectives should be

embedded throughout the curriculum, rather than

as just a “one-off” event.

There are many authoritative sources for teaching

strategies and class activities to develop inclusivecurriculum. A visit to the Department of Education

and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)

Languages and Multicultural Education Resource

Centre (LMERC) is advisable for expert advice

and access to a vast array of quality resources.

See multicultural.vic.gov.au to download a

detailed resource list for teachers, including

curriculum plans.

Multicultural Education has been mapped against

the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS)

and this mapping can be used to ensure that

multicultural perspectives are included across alldomains of the curriculum. This mapping is

available at: www.ausvels.vcaa.vic.edu.au

One of the seven general capabilities highlighted

in the new Australian Curriculum is intercultural

understanding. This newly developed curriculum

emphasises the need for students to “learn about

and engage with diverse cultures in ways that

recognise commonalities and differences, create

connections with others and cultivate mutual

respect.” Cultural Diversity Week is a fitting time

to highlight the learning around this capability.

At the back of this document you will find a listof contact details to further assist your planning.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015

Teachers’ Resource Kit

CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015 | TEACHERS’ RESOURCE KIT 3

http://multicultural.vic.gov.au/http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/ausvels.vcaa.vic.edu.auhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/ausvels.vcaa.vic.edu.auhttp://multicultural.vic.gov.au/


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Interactive activitiesand project ideas

Guest speakers or performers

Invite a guest speaker or performer to your school.

You could consider:

> A musician or dancer from Victoria’s

multicultural community

> A local business owner with an

ethnic background > A representative from an ethnic community

in your area

> A faith leader from a local mosque, church,

synagogue or temple

> An indigenous elder from your area

> A representative from your local Migrant

Resource Centre, the Ethnic Communities’

Council of Victoria, the Asylum Seeker

Resource Centre, a local Interfaith Network,

or the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human

Rights Commission

> A multicultural ambassador from a sporting body

(ie AFL, Cricket Australia, Soccer and many other

bodies all have multicultural ambassadors)

Exploring family and local history

> Develop a project about family history. Students

could bring in photos of family members,

mementos, diaries or family trees / histories

for ‘show and tell’, or deliver a presentation

about their family background. The photos

or mementos could be used to develop an

exhibition or museum for the local school

community. Consider taking part in Museum

Victoria’s Making History project which allows

students to research, make and share their

own family or community history using a

range of digital tools. The project is suitable

for primary and secondary students see:

museumvictoria.com.au

> Research the indigenous history of the local

area. Consult with the indigenous landowners,

and invite them to speak to the students.

> As part of a classroom activity, use proverbs

and folktales (both in original languagesand translated versions) from around the world

and explore similarities and differences between

them. Units of work on using folktales in the

classroom are available from LMERC (see details

in Resources and Contacts List at the back

of this document).

> Develop students’ understanding of different

beliefs and faith by exploring the features

they share. A large collection of resources

on religions of the world is available for loan

from LMERC.



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Class debate

Hold a class debate with middle years to

senior students to debate a topic of interest

or importance. Taking part in a debate has the

potential to improve verbal communication skills

and enhance confidence in public speaking,

argument building and persuasion. It will be

necessary to provide ground rules for your class

if they have not participated in debating before.

Ensure that the ground rules are maintained and

that all opinions are treated respectfully.

Some relevant statements/topics for debate

could include:

> The root of all racism is ignorance;

> Cultural diversity is Victoria’s greatest asset

> Mandatory detention of asylum seekers;

> Human rights are everybody’s responsibility; or

> All Victorians have civic duties.

On 21 March an orange ribbon can

be worn to mark the United Nations

International Day for the Elimination

of Racial Discrimination, affirming our

belief in the opportunity for all Victorians

to live freely without fear of discrimination

and vilification.

(Orange ribbons can be ordered from

the VMC free promotional material –

www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

World Expo

Decorate the school with promotional material,

maps, photos, faces or have a fete with stalls

representing different countries or continents

of the world. Deepen this work by developing

units of work on different aspects of multicultural

education for each class level in the school. This

work can culminate with each class presenting

some of their work to the school during Cultural

Diversity Week so that the learning is highlighted

and shared.

Dress up day

Students could come to school in cultural clothes

that represent a country of their family’s heritage

or in national flag colours. Younger students could

be encouraged to make a hat or head-dress from

recycled materials. A great way to display the

different traditional forms of dress from aroundthe world is to hold a fashion parade for all the

school at which students can participate as the

models with fellow students providing background

information that they have researched on the

represented countries.


http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/


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Melbourne’s cultural museumsand resource centres

Immigration Museum

Offers school excursions and the use

of educational materials; online services;

outreach kits; and teacher professional

development activities.

Tel: 13 11 02

Web: www.museumvictoria.com.au/

immigrationmuseum

Hellenic Museum

Runs programs that promote understanding

and appreciation for the rich cultural traditions

of ancient and contemporary Greece. Excursions

can be arranged.

Tel: 8615 9016

Web: www.hellenic.org.au

Islamic Museum of Australia

Aims to showcase the rich artistic heritage

and historical contributions of Muslims in Australia

and abroad. Tours and education kits designed

by teachers can be arranged.

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.islamicmuseum.org.au

Chinese Museum

The museum has a comprehensive education

program designed by teachers, across a range

of subject areas. Tours can be combined with

various cultural workshops and demonstrations.

The Travelling Chinese Museum can even visit

your school

Tel: 9662 2888

Web: www.chinesemuseum.com.au

CO.AS.IT.

Co.As.It. Resource Centre re-creates a little piece

of Italy for teachers of Italian, students of Italian

and for whoever has a passion for Italy, its

language, culture and history. The library supports

the educational needs of teachers and students

of Italian from pre-school to tertiary level, and has

a comprehensive selection of resources.

Tel: 9349 9000

Web: www.coasit.com.au

Koorie Heritage Trust

Aims to protect, preserve and promote the living

culture of Aboriginal people of south-eastern

Australia. The Trust offers educational programs

and cultural tours.

Tel: 8622 2600

Web: www.koorieheritagetrust.com

Excursions


http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseumhttp://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseumhttp://www.hellenic.org.au/mailto:info%40islamicmuseum.org.au?subject=http://www.islamicmuseum.org.au/http://www.chinesemuseum.com.au/http://www.coasit.com.au/http://www.koorieheritagetrust.com/http://www.koorieheritagetrust.com/http://www.coasit.com.au/http://www.chinesemuseum.com.au/http://www.islamicmuseum.org.au/mailto:info%40islamicmuseum.org.au?subject=http://www.hellenic.org.au/http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseumhttp://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum


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Local cultural precinctsVisit a cultural precinct or area of cultural

significance in Melbourne or throughout regional

Victoria. If you are making the trip into Melbourne,

the City Circle Tram service provides a free and

convenient way to get around the city. The tram

travels a circuit of the CBD, and links with other

trams, train and light rail services. The tram will

take you within easy walking distance of significant

cultural attractions like the Immigration Museum,

Lygon Street Italian precinct, Lonsdale Street

Greek precinct, Birrarung Marr, Little Bourke

Street Chinatown.

Other culturally and linguistically diverse precincts

in greater Melbourne include: Asian precincts

in Glen Waverley, Richmond, Box Hill, Footscray

and Springvale; the Jewish precinct in Carlisle St,

St Kilda; the Greek precinct in Oakleigh; the Turkish

precinct in Broadmeadows; and the Arabic precinct

in Sydney Road, Coburg.

Places of worship tour

Interfaith Networks have been established invarious municipalities who run tours for school

groups to visit places of worship of the local faith

communities. The tours can include visiting a

Hindu Temple, a Sikh Gurdwara, an Islamic Mosque,

a Buddhist Temple, a Christian Church, Indigenous

sacred sites and spiritual traditions.

Faith Communities Councilof Victoria

www.faithvictoria.org.au

City Circle Tram visit

www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/

route/view/1112

For information about what’s

on in the City of Melbourne,

visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au .

In regional Victoria, there are many

attractions and monuments that have

cultural or religious significance – many

of these are listed at www.visitvictoria.com


http://www.faithvictoria.org.au/http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/1112http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/1112http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/http://www.visitvictoria.com/http://www.visitvictoria.com/http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/1112http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/1112http://www.faithvictoria.org.au/


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Dance

Learn about different countries’ dance rituals and

styles and hold multicultural dancing classes either

with an instructor from a community organisation,

a culturally diverse artist, a teacher or a parent

if available.

Plan a dance performance promoting a variety

of dances and music. Create a program to includeinformation about each dance, including its

meaning, purpose, costumes and tradition.

Sport

Assign groups to research particular sports

and then hold a multicultural sports day where

new and different sports are played throughout

the day by students and teachers.

MusicAsk students to write and perform a rap, song,

chant, jingle or rhyme of cultural significance

to them or celebrating diversity.

Students could perform at school assemblies,

multicultural concerts, or family twilight activities.

Art and craft

Flag-making

The activity of flag-making during class provides

students the chance to undertake research about

the significance and symbolism of national flags

and then reproduce flags from the nations of

the world. Students could be encouraged to use

a range of artistic techniques to complete theirartwork. These flags can then be displayed around

the school during Cultural Diversity Week and

beyond, with some accompanying information

which reflects the students’ research.

Food

> Ask students to prepare a dish from their family’s

country of origin and bring it into school for

a shared multicultural lunch. To alleviate the

possibility of stereotyping, allow students to

make dishes which are family favourites and notnecessarily representative of their ethnicity.

> Invite a guest from a local community

organisation, a teacher or a parent to show

children how to make a dish from their culture.

If facilities permit, you can have the students

participate in this demonstration and make some

simple dishes during school hours.

Physical activity,performance and music



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Educational

Classroom learningThere are a number of simple waysthe messages of Cultural DiversityWeek can be incorporated intoyour school curriculum.

For middle and later years studentsHistory

Explore multiculturalism and migration to Victoria

in a historical context – you could also look at the

history of genocide and racial conflict, significant

civil rights movements and avenues for protection

of human rights in Victoria.

Humanities

Discuss what it means to live in a multicultural

society – look at the cultural richness of our society

and the benefits this diversity brings.

Political Studies

Explore the political systems of some of the

countries that Victorians have originated from,

human rights in the Australian political context

and the relevance of the Victorian Charter

of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

Geography

Assign students to teams to research the

geography of different nations around the world

and present their findings to the class. Nations

could be chosen according to the cultural

background of students, or to prevent stereotyping

nations could be assigned to students randomly.

This prevents students from feeling that they are

representatives for their ethnic group.

Economics/Commerce

Discuss the economic contribution of migrants

to Victoria or about international economies.

Media Studies

Look at how multiculturalism is reported on in the

media. How are migrants and refugees portrayed?

Discuss the meaning of bias and stereotyping

and ask students to analyse some examples

of biased newspaper or television reporting.

You could also explore the prevalence and reach

of ethnic media channels.

Legal Studies

Discuss current laws surrounding cultural diversity

and human rights, such as the Racial and Religious

Tolerance Act 2001, the Multicultural Victoria Act

2011, the Victorian Charter of Human Rights

and Responsibilities Act 2006. Students could also

research human and civil rights movements around

the world and international human rights law.



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English/Literature

Study a range of texts, including some written

by Australians of migrant, refugee or religious

background – or texts that discuss cultural/religious

issues. Some relevant titles include:

> Do, Anh (2010)

The Happiest Refugee.

Allen & Unwin. > French, Jackie (2011)

Nanberry: black brother white.

Angus & Robertson.

> Grant, Neil (2012)

The Ink Bridge.

Allen & Unwin.

> Mazari, Najaf & Hillman, Robert (2008)

The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif .

Insight Publications.

> Pajalic, Amra (2009)

The Good Daughter.

Text

> Pung, Alice (ed.) (2008)

Growing up Asian in Australia.

Black Ink.

> Starke, Ruth (2008)

Noodle Pie.

Omnibus.

> Vincent, David Nyuol (2012)

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Die.

Allen & Unwin.

Mathematics

Develop an understanding about how intercultural

understanding can be enhanced in Mathematics.

Resources for incorporating global perspectives

in the mathematics classroom go to

www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-

initiatives/cultural-diversity-week .

Analyse a filmSelect a film with relevant themes and discuss

with the class. LMERC holds an excellent collection

of films with a human rights focus and many have

teacher’s notes and student activities included.

These films are available for loan. Some suggested

titles include:

> Movies about racism

(To Kill a Mockingbird, Australian Rules)

> Genocide

(Schindler’s List, Diary of Anne Frank, Hotel

Rwanda, Welcome to Sarajevo) > Civil and human rights movements

(Mississippi Burning, A Time to Kill); and

> Foreign films

(Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Motorcycle

Diaries, The Weeping Camel, Whale Rider).

Go Back To Where You Came From

Interactive School Resources contain

curriculum-relevant tutorials based on video

clips from the series. The tutorials include

student activities, supported by teacher notes

with background information, facts and statistics.www.sbs.com.au/goback/schools/resources/series


http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/cultural-diversity-weekhttp://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/cultural-diversity-weekhttp://www.sbs.com.au/goback/schools/resources/serieshttp://www.sbs.com.au/goback/schools/resources/serieshttp://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/cultural-diversity-weekhttp://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/cultural-diversity-week


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For early years studentsEnglish / Reading

Select books which demonstrate diversity ,

with themes such as ‘belonging’ or ‘feeling

different’, refugee / migration experiences, or

folktales / stories from other cultures. Discuss

the themes that arise from these stories. During

discussion be careful not to confirm stereotypes.

Geography

Ask students to speak with their families about

where their relatives originated from. Display a

world map in the classroom, and have children

place a marker on their / their family’s country

of origin.

Art

Produce flags, hats or head-dresses to represent

the nationalities of the students in the class.

Languages

Discuss history connected to the language being

learnt – e.g. in Italian class, talk about the history

of Italian migration to Australia.

Free promotional supportmaterial to help you celebrateCultural Diversity Week

An assortment of Promotional Support materials

is available for your school to order for activities

relating to Cultural Diversity Week – these

include posters, bookmarks, pencils etc. For more

information and order form go to the VMC website;


Cultural Diversity Week 2015primary school art competition

The Cultural Diversity Week Primary

School Art Competition is conducted

by the Victorian Multicultural Commission

(VMC). The Competition starts on Monday

2 February 2015 and ends at 5pm on

Monday 2 March 2015.

Entry is open to children residing

and attending a primary school in Victoria.

A maximum of one entry per student can

be submitted for consideration.

The competition, with the theme

‘Strengthening Our Community’ which

is also the common theme being used

to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week, has

three categories: Prep to Grade 1, Grade 2

to Grade 4, and Grade 5 to Grade 6.

Students are invited to draw, paint, create

a collage or otherwise create an artwork

that reflects the theme.

All finalists received a certificate, and theirartwork will be displayed in the Atrium at

Federation Square during the Viva Victoria

multicultural festival to be held on

Sunday 22 March 2015.

For more information relating to the

Primary School Art Competition terms

and conditions go to the VMC website;



http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/


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CONTACT DETAILS

Guest speakers or performers

Search the Victorian Multicultural Commission’sCommunity Directory to find community contacts

and details of Migrant Resource Centres in your

local area:

www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/resources/

community-directory

Multicultural Arts Victoria

(provide a brokerage service for multicultural

artists and performers)

Tel: +61 3 9188 3681

Web: www.multiculturalarts.com.au

Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria

Tel: +61 3 9349 4122

Web: www.eccv.org.au

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

(can provide speakers from a refugee background)

Tel: +61 3 9326 6066

Web: www.asrc.org.au

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human

Rights Commission

Tel: 1300 891 848


Web: www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au

Koorie Heritage Trust

Tel: +61 3 8622 2600

Web: www.koorieheritagetrust.com

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

The Immigration Museum

The Immigration Museum has a great website full

of education activities which you might like tolink to;

www.museumvictoria.com.au/

immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/

talking-difference

Together For Humanity

Together For Humanity has developed a set

of modules for teachers and students to explore

diversity called Difference Differently which could

be of benefit – www.differencedifferently.edu.au

LMERC (Languages and MulticulturalEducation Resource Centre)

150 Palmerston Street, Carlton

Tel: +61 3 9349 1418


Web: www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/

cultures/Pages/lmerc.aspx

This is the Department of Education and Early

Childhood’s specialist resource centre for

teachers. Experienced staff provide advice on

resources and curriculum to support multicultural

education in line with the AusVELS and theforthcoming Australian curriculum. The service

is provided free of charge to all Victorian school

teachers. LMERC holds a collection of more than

30,000 resources in the following areas:

> Global, multicultural and inclusive education

> Civics and citizenship education

> Languages other than English

> English as an additional language

Please Note – Information provided in this kit

is accurate at the time of production.


http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/resources/%20community-directoryhttp://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/resources/%20community-directoryhttp://www.multiculturalarts.com.au/http://www.asrc.org.au/mailto:education%40veohrc.vic.gov.au?subject=http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/http://www.koorieheritagetrust.com/http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/talking-differencehttp://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/talking-differencehttp://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/talking-differencehttp://www.differencedifferently.edu.au/mailto:lmerc.library%40edumail.vic.gov.au?subject=http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/cultures/Pages/lmerc.aspxhttp://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/cultures/Pages/lmerc.aspxhttp://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/cultures/Pages/lmerc.aspxhttp://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/cultures/Pages/lmerc.aspxmailto:lmerc.library%40edumail.vic.gov.au?subject=http://www.differencedifferently.edu.au/http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/talking-differencehttp://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/talking-differencehttp://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/talking-differencehttp://www.koorieheritagetrust.com/http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/mailto:education%40veohrc.vic.gov.au?subject=http://www.asrc.org.au/http://www.multiculturalarts.com.au/http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/resources/%20community-directoryhttp://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/resources/%20community-directory


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Primary School

Art Competition

The art competition incorporating thetheme, ‘Strengthening Our Community’will be held in three categories:

Prep – Grade 1Grade 2 – Grade 4Grade 5 – Grade 6

Students are invited to draw, paint, createa collage or otherwise create an artwork

that reflects the theme.

All artwork needs to be submitted to the VMC by 5.00pm

Monday 2 March 2015. Finalists will be notified in early

March 2015.

All finalists will receive a certificate, and their artwork will

be displayed in the Atrium at Federation Square during the

Viva Victoria multicultural festival on Sunday 22 March 2015.

There are also great prizes on offer for winners and their

schools in each category!

Competition guidelines and a cover sheet can be

downloaded from the VMC website:

multicultural.vic.gov.au

vic tor ia multicultural festival


http://multicultural.vic.gov.au/http://multicultural.vic.gov.au/


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victoria multicultural festival


strengthening our community

Sunday 22 March 2015Federation Square

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8715 Vmc Cdw Teachers Resource Kit