In my primary education, I have experienced a vast range of teachers utilising the different sub-topics within the General Capabilities and Cross Curricular Priorities. My key memory is from throughout my Year 4 education where my teacher was very inclusive and strived to provide an engaging learning environment where every student felt comfortable to learn. One of the General Capabilities that were commonly used in synchronicity with all the subject areas was the capability of Critical & Creative Thinking. Critical and Creative Thinking involves students using skills such as inquisitiveness, open-mindedness and willingness to learn (ACARA, 2024). This sub-topic explores how students inquire into the world around them and consider various outcomes before making informed decisions.
Throughout Year 4, my teacher explored different ways of greeting the students each morning to provide a safe and inclusive environment where students felt they could strive. Each morning we would walk into the classroom, be greeted by the teacher and she would proceed to draw attention to the chalkboard where there was a new drawing with a positive quote every morning. She would then explain why she had written that up and set clear expectations for the day. This would allow us as students to understand exactly what we would be learning that day.
Another way my Year 4 teacher explored the capability of Critical and Creative Thinking, was through the use of different learning styles; visual, auditory and kinaesthetic (Department Of Education – Victoria, 2007). These learning styles were explored through various subjects areas, one I distinctly remember is mathematics. I remember each week for an entire term we spent learning one of the columns of times tables. We originally learnt it through explicit instruction and teacher-student activities. However, my teacher noticed that some students, including me, weren’t retaining the knowledge and applying it in different contexts (AITSL,2017). This allowed her to realise that she needed to alter her content delivery to allow for the most learning retention. She came up with the idea of turning the learning of times tables into a fun jingle/song. She found a resource that allowed us to learn the times tables more efficiently while retaining the content and enjoying our learning.
My personal belief is that 21st Century learners, the General Capabilities and Cross Curricular Priorities are linked through teachers creating lessons that engage students in various teaching areas and allow students to learn through their preferred style.
References:
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2024). Understanding This General Capabilities – Critical and Creative Thinking.
Australian Institute For Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). (2017). Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards
Department of Education – Victoria. (2007). Examples Of Learning Styles.
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/documents/childhood/professionals/support/egsls.pdf
