Back to VCAA Bulletin No. 50 - July 2019
English as an Additional Language Curriculum
In late March 2019, the VCAA released English as an Additional Language (EAL) Curriculum: Draft for familiarisation, feedback and optional implementation.
The new F–10 EAL curriculum is intended to support all teachers of EAL students, both in mainstream schools and English language schools and centres, including specialist EAL teachers and out-of-field EAL teachers. Alongside the new EAL curriculum, the VCAA has also released resources to support the teaching of EAL language learners across all curriculum areas. These include a diagnostic assessment tool, as well as guidance on how to locate individual EAL learners on one of three 'pathways', considering their stage of schooling and their previous language learning experiences.
The VCAA has conducted a number of introductory face-to-face sessions and webinars, and these are set to continue across Term 3. Details of new sessions will be posted early in Term 3 on the F–10 Professional Learning webpage and via the F–10 Updates subscriber list.
Additionally, the VCAA invites teacher feedback on the draft EAL curriculum. To do so, complete the online feedback form.
Unpacking computational and algorithmic thinking in Mathematics
These new resources are designed to unpack the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Mathematics content descriptions that address computational thinking and algorithms at Foundation, Level 1 and Level 2.
Each resource links one Mathematics content description and extract from the achievement standard with a teaching and learning activity designed to develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills in a mathematical context.
The resources have been developed with respect to teaching in the Mathematics learning area of the Victorian Curriculum, and include suggestions of how these activities could be extended to the Critical and Creative Thinking and Digital Technologies curriculums.
Resources for Foundation–Level 2 are available on the VCAA website. Resources for Levels 3–10 will be published in Terms 3 and 4.
For further information, contact Dr David Leigh-Lancaster, Mathematics Curriculum Manager: (03) 9032 1690 or leigh-lancaster.david.d@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Mathematics annotated student work samples
New annotated student work samples are being developed and progressively published on the VCAA website in the second half of 2019. The first set covering Levels 3, 5, 7 and 9 for the Number and Algebra and Measurement and Geometry strands are planned for release early in Term 3.
The Victorian Curriculum F–10: Mathematics annotated student work samples provide teachers with examples of student learning achievements for each level and each strand of the Mathematics curriculum.
Schools may use these work samples as part of professional discussions to support teachers to deepen their understanding of the curriculum and assess student achievement in relation to the Victorian Curriculum achievement standards. The work samples can also inform interpretation of student achievement with respect to the national minimum standards in NAPLAN.
Each set of work samples was produced by students working at a particular level of the Victorian Curriculum Mathematics. Evidence of student achievement has been annotated, including evidence of both knowledge and skills addressed in the relevant achievement standard and common misconceptions in student learning in Mathematics. Advice is provided to support the planning of the next stage of learning for all students, from those who need to review underpinning knowledge and skills at a previous level to those who are ready to move on to new knowledge and skills at the next level.
The first four work samples are available on the VCAA website. Additional work samples will be published later in the year. Related professional learning opportunities and webinars will be available in Term 4.
For further information, contact Crystal Afitu, Mathematics F–10 Curriculum Manager: afitu.crystal.c@edumail.vic.gov.au, (03) 9032 1746 (Monday and Thursday) or (03) 9031 3943 (Tuesday and Wednesday).
English – speaking and listening work samples
These work samples support teacher understanding of the Speaking and Listening achievement standards in Victorian Curriculum F–10: English. Each work sample highlights the knowledge and skills addressed in the achievement standard and includes a task description, a video of a student reading, annotations on each video excerpt and advice to support the planning of the next stage of student learning.
Work samples for Foundation–Level 2 and Levels 7–10 (new) are available on the VCAA website. Samples for the remaining levels will be released later in 2019.
New resources to help implement the Victorian Curriculum F–10
The following teaching resources have been recently published:
To find out when new resources become available, read the VCAA Bulletin or sign up for the F–10 Curriculum Update. For previously published resources, go to the Curriculum Area Advice webpage.
Professional learning for Principals and curriculum leaders
Whole-school curriculum planning webinar (F–10)
The VCAA is hosting a professional learning webinar for all teachers and leadership on whole-school curriculum planning. The aim of this session is for participants to develop an understanding of curriculum planning and its part in driving learning. In the session, you will be lead through the importance of comprehensive curriculum planning, looking at the layers of planning and investigating the school self-assessment tool. You will also investigate how to use the curriculum mapping tool as the starting point for developing a curriculum that defines what your school values.
This webinar will be held 3.45–4.45pm on Thursday 25 July 2019.
Register your interest online.
Register now for the Term 3 Professional Learning Program
The 2019 Professional Learning Program has been designed to support teachers in implementing the Victorian Curriculum F–10. Delivered through a series of webinars, the program covers a range of curriculum areas and topics, including:
- Visual arts: Planning visual arts activities and constructing visual arts assessment (F–6), Thursday 8 August 2019.
- Performing Arts: Incorporating music, drama and dance in the primary classroom (F–6), Wednesday 14 August 2019.
- The Capabilities: Explicit teaching of the Capabilities (F–10), Tuesday 13 August 2019.
- Critical and Creative Thinking: Focus on metacognition (F–6), Thursday 22 August 2019.
- Health and Physical Education: Who is teaching Health in your school? Strategies for delivering a comprehensive Health education program (F–6), Thursday 29 August 2019.
- Health and Physical Education: Assessment in Health and Physical Education (F–6), Thursday 5 September 2019.
- Mathematics: Differentiating the Mathematics curriculum (F–6), Wednesday 21 August 2019.
- Science: Differentiating learning in the science classroom (F–6), Tuesday 6 August 2019.
- Science: Using picture stories to distinguish scientific fact from fiction (F–8), Thursday 15 August 2019.
- Science: Deepening students understanding of the science curriculum through meaningful and authentic direct experiences (F–10), Thursday 12 September 2019.
For more information and to register for webinars, go to the 2019 Professional Learning Program webpage.