ACTF News

Calling all Foundation / Prep teachers! Are you looking for resources to help your 2018 students learn about life at primary school? Check out Little J and Big Cuz.

Little J and Big Cuz live in the outback with their Nanna and their dog called Old Dog. The series follows the family’s daily adventures and is told primarily from the perspective of five-year old Little J, who has just started his first year of school. In each episode, Little J and his cousin find out more about their world and themselves – in the backyard, the classroom, or on Country.

The animated series was created by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to support the transition to school for Indigenous children and their families. However teacher feedback tells us that the series is relevant to young students in many classroom contexts, helping them to learn about the routines and expectations at primary school.

The 13 x 12-minute series can be streamed online, and teaching resources are also freely available. These resources provide support for Early Years educators to:

• Include Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge, understandings and skills in their teaching and learning programs
• Consider the transitions that take place in children’s lives every day, and the role of educators in supporting children and families through these transitions
• Engage with their local community to share and respect the voices of Indigenous Australians, their knowledge and their cultures.

Having just picked up a 2017 SAE ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) Award for Best Children’s Television Program, now is the perfect time to enjoy watching this unique series.

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