Make your Australian curriculum units comprehensively Christian – use ACARA’s three-dimensional method!!
The keys to making your curriculum units comprehensively biblical and Christian is in simply broadening and applying ACARA’s “three-dimensional” curriculum model. Let me explain …
ACARA’s, in its webpage on cross-curricular priorities, instructs us: “The cross-curriculum priorities are embedded in learning areas as appropriate. When planning teaching and learning programs for the Australian curriculum, teachers will notice that the three cross-curriculum priorities have a strong but varying presence depending on their relevance to the learning area”.
ACARA’s three “Cross-curricular priorities are: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures; Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia; and Sustainability.
ACARA wants us to embed these priorities and let them influence the detail, values, and assumptions within all learning areas as we see appropriate. “When planning teaching and learning programs for the Australian curriculum, teachers will notice that the three cross-curriculum priorities have a strong but varying presence depending on their relevance to the learning area”
The priorities are thus a “third dimension” of the curriculum structure:
The problem with the cross curriculum priorities for a Christian school is that they are at least inadequate for the teaching of God’s priorities and perspectives. At worst, they may sometimes be incompatible with the worldview of our Christian schools. We simply cannot achieve our Christian school mission if we don’t do more …
The good news is that we can extend ACARA’s cross-curriculum priorities process … We can embed biblical Christian cross-curricular priorities and let them influence the detail, values, and assumptions within all learning areas as we see appropriate. When we are planning Christian teaching and learning programs we can ensure that that the biblical Christian cross-curricular priorities have a strong but varying presence depending on their relevance to the learning area.
A summary of biblical Christian Cross Curricular Priorities
You might like to click here to access a brief summary of 33 statements that will give a starting point for biblical Christian “cross-curricular priorities”. These statements are expanded and explained in detail in the book the book Rubber on the Road Christian Thinking. This summary is useful for scanning to look for foundational statements for the formulation of thoughts, policies, curriculum, units, or articles that are consistent with biblical Christianity.
ACARA’s Cross Curricular priorities
The Australian Curriculum must be both relevant to the lives of students and address the contemporary issues they face. With this and the education goals of the Melbourne Declaration in mind, the curriculum gives special attention to the three cross curricular priorities. Further information can be found on the cross-curriculum priorities home page on the Australian Curriculum website at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au.
