How to Incorporate Aboriginal Print in the Classroom: Practical Tips for Teachers

So far, I can think of four main and popular ways to incorporate Aboriginal Print into the classroom. Read along to find out!

Generally speaking, I’ve had times where I make a big effort to create and include Aboriginal perspectives and other times it takes less of an emphasis. That’s probably completely realistic and normal! There is no mental process involved here other than being busy with other curriculum content and trying to display that content at point of need. Here, though are two ways to make it a seamless process.

1 – An Aboriginal print learning centre

I have previously created reading corners, writing centres with Aboriginal print. Students have been able to make their own symbols and assign their own unique meanings to them. This is particularly great when you have extra space or you can alternate your role-play area themes around. This is a photo of a friend’s Aboriginal themed print area. She has used some of my products to create this area and it looks sensational.

To create an area that uses Aboriginal print you can do three things. The first would be to print ready made printables (such as the one’s I am linking to below). The second is to display ready made printables and ask your students to create their own versions and the third is to combine these options (use printables that area already created and ask your students to create their own as well). I have found that students absolutely love these centres! You can also add Aboriginal puzzles, toys and dolls to a display table. If you do not have fancy material with Aboriginal designs on, don’t stress. Just choose natural fabric to drape over a table such as; calico or hessian. You do not have to spend a lot of money to create such an area. Pop some eucalyptus leaves on the table for students to smell and look at with magnifying glasses!

2 – Posters and displays

Adding Aboriginal print to your existing classroom can be easy. Space is more of an issue for me right now, especially being in a Year One classroom. This may be an issue for you too. I think this option may certainly be one that is more ongoing and sustainable when you take your Aboriginal display centre down and swap it for another theme. Right now I have a writing centre so my next step is to add some Aboriginal letters and numbers to this existing area. Another good idea is to put some flip books (in plastic folders or print, laminate and bind my poster sets) and leave them in the writing centre for students to use as they wish. I will also be adding some Aboriginal dot art numbers in my math centre.  For pre-primary and kindergarten teachers, I highly encourage sourcing some Aboriginal babies to place them in your home corner. Students need to have multicultural resources around them. I always have multicultural puzzles on my puzzle shelf too.

3 – Reading Collection

In my reading corner, I simply add some Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and books written by Aboriginal authors however, if you have an Aboriginal teacher/assistant in your school you can create some two-way texts for this area. This means that the story (text) will contain both your first language (e.g. Standard Australian English) and the Aboriginal dialect for your area.

4 – Acknowledgement of Country

Display a welcome sign in your local Aboriginal dialect (in my specific classroom, we recognise the Whadjuk Noongar people so we say wanjoo wanjoo as welcome). You can also display both the Australian flag and the Aboriginal flag. I also like to display an acknowledgement of country poster. I begin the year by displaying a generic poster and then work with the class to write a more specific and personalised version. A generic version can be found in my Aboriginal Class Decor pack.

It’s small tweeks like these that become easier over time but can also just become part of your regular practise. These are just beginning steps too. I’d love to see your photographs of your class if you have used my products to create a learning area.

A great resource for teachers to reflect on their knowledge and awareness of the Aboriginal culture is a tool from DET:

https://www.education.wa.edu.au/dl/jjpzned

Wishing you all the best,

Kind regards, Jennifer

You may find these products useful to set up your classroom environment: