Teachers

Resource Kit
2015

Proudly presented by

strengthening our community

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.

Strengthening Our Community

1422 March 2015
Victoria celebrates Cultural Diversity Week
annually to coincide with the United Nations
International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination on 21 March.

2 CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015 | TEACHERS RESOURCE KIT

CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015

Teachers Resource Kit

The Victorian Multicultural

Commission encourages all
schools to participate in Cultural
Diversity Week there are many
ways that teachers can get their
students 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 seen
as 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 inclusive
curriculum. 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 all
domains 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 list
of contact details to further assist your planning.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015 | TEACHERS RESOURCE KIT3

Interactive activities
and project ideas

Guest speakers or performers

Exploring family and local history

Invite a guest speaker or performer to your school.

You could consider:

>> 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
Victorias 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

>> A musician or dancer from Victorias

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)

>> 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 languages
and 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

World Expo

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.

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.

Some relevant statements/topics for debate

could include:

Dress up day

>> The root of all racism is ignorance;

>> Cultural diversity is Victorias greatest asset
>> Mandatory detention of asylum seekers;
>> Human rights are everybodys 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.

Students could come to school in cultural clothes

that represent a country of their familys 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 around
the 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.

(Orange ribbons can be ordered from

the VMC free promotional material
www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

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Excursions

Melbournes cultural museums

and 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: info@islamicmuseum.org.au
Web: www.islamicmuseum.org.au

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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

Local cultural precincts

Visit 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.

Faith Communities Council

of Victoria
www.faithvictoria.org.au

City Circle Tram visit

www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/
route/view/1112
For information about whats
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

Places of worship tour

Interfaith Networks have been established in
various 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.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015 | TEACHERS RESOURCE KIT7

Physical activity,
performance and music

Dance

Art and craft

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.

Flag-making

Plan a dance performance promoting a variety

of dances and music. Create a program to include
information 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.

Music
Ask 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.

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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 their
artwork. 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 familys
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 not
necessarily 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.

Educational

Classroom learning
There are a number of simple ways
the messages of Cultural Diversity
Week can be incorporated into
your school curriculum.
For middle and later years students
History
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.

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

Discuss what it means to live in a multicultural

society look at the cultural richness of our society
and the benefits this diversity brings.

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.

Political Studies

Legal 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.

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.

Humanities

CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015 | TEACHERS RESOURCE KIT9

English/Literature

Mathematics

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:

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-andinitiatives/cultural-diversity-week.

>> 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 Wouldnt Die.
Allen & Unwin.

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Analyse a film
Select 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
teachers 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
(Schindlers 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

For early years students

English / 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 familys country
of origin.

Cultural Diversity Week 2015

primary 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.

Discuss history connected to the language being

learnt e.g. in Italian class, talk about the history
of Italian migration to Australia.

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.

Free promotional support

material to help you celebrate
Cultural Diversity Week

All finalists received a certificate, and their

artwork will be displayed in the Atrium at
Federation Square during the Viva Victoria
multicultural festival to be held on
Sunday 22 March 2015.

Art
Produce flags, hats or head-dresses to represent
the nationalities of the students in the class.

Languages

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;
www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

For more information relating to the

Primary School Art Competition terms
and conditions go to the VMC website;
www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK 2015 | TEACHERS RESOURCE KIT11

CONTACT DETAILS

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Guest speakers or performers

The Immigration Museum

Search the Victorian Multicultural Commissions

Community 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

The Immigration Museum has a great website full

of education activities which you might like to
link 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 Multicultural

Education Resource Centre)
150 Palmerston Street, Carlton

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Tel: +61 3 9349 1418

Email: lmerc.library@edumail.vic.gov.au
Web: www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/

(can provide speakers from a refugee background)

cultures/Pages/lmerc.aspx

Tel: +61 3 9326 6066

Web: www.asrc.org.au

This is the Department of Education and Early

Childhoods specialist resource centre for
teachers. Experienced staff provide advice on
resources and curriculum to support multicultural
education in line with the AusVELS and the
forthcoming 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:

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human

Rights Commission
Tel: 1300 891 848
Email: education@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Web: www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au

Koorie Heritage Trust

Tel: +61 3 8622 2600
Web: www.koorieheritagetrust.com

>> 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.

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Primary School
Art Competition

The art competition incorporating the

theme, Strengthening Our Community
will be held in three categories:
Prep Grade 1
Grade 2 Grade 4
Grade 5 Grade 6
Students are invited to draw, paint, create
a 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

victoria multicultural festival

Proudly presented by

victoria multicultural festival

Sunday 22 March 2015

Federation Square

Proudly presented by

strengthening our community