Linking to the Curriculum PD was presented by school teachers Hayley Jackson and Rebecca Sheraton at Brisbane’s Write Links group.
Hayley and Rebecca showed us how to link our books to the Australian curriculum.

Why?
Books with specific links to the Australian Curriculum are more desirable to publishers. Linking to the Curriculum increases your chances of publication and your books being purchased by schools and libraries.
Please consider linking your books to the curriculum.

Where do you start linking to the curriculum?

1. Go to the Australian Curriculum website.  www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/
2. Click on the F-10 Curriculum tab at the top of the page
3. Guess which general curriculum area your book or manuscript focusses on.
4. Choose subject area ie. English. Science. Geography. Health. History. Design & Technologies.
5. Select year level (can select more than one)
6. Read Content Descriptions to find links
7. For more specific links – look through Elaborations

 
BOOK Samples: Linking to the Curriculum …

A: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Year 2 – Science:
Biological Sciences: Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves.

• Representing personal growth and changes from birth
• Recognizing that living things have predictable characteristics at different stages of development
• Exploring different characteristics of life stages in animals such as egg, caterpillar and butterfly

B: If I Die Before I Wake by Martii McLean
English – Year 9

• Examining Literature:
• Investigate and experiment with the use and effect of extended metaphor, metonymy, allegory, icons, myths and symbolism in texts, for example poetry, short films, graphic novels, and plays on similar themes.
• Creating Literature:
• Create literary texts, including hybrid texts, that innovate on aspects of other texts, for example by using parody, allusion and appropriation.
• Literacy: Interpreting, Analyzing, Evaluating
• Use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyze texts, comparing and evaluating representations of an event, issue, situation or character in different texts (Sleeping Beauty).

C:  Meet Sidney Nolan by Yvonne Mes & Sandra Eterovic
Year 6 – History
Knowledge and Understanding:
The contribution of individuals and groups, including Aboriginal people and/or Torres Strait Islanders and migrants, to the development of Australian society, for example, in areas such as the economy, education, science, the arts, sport.

Now it’s Your Turn …

1. Study your manuscript or book themes closely.
2. Guess: What’s the main subject area and year level of your book?
3. Go to the Australian Curriculum website.  www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/
4. Click on the F-10 Curriculum tab at the top of the page
5. Choose subject area -English. Science. Geography. Health. History. Design & Technology.
6. Select year level (can select more than one).
7. Read Content Descriptions to find links and statements.
8. For more specific links – look through Elaborations
9. Write a summary of the curriculum statements about your book. (SEE SAMPLES)
10.  Send this summary with your publishing submission OR add your summary to your teacher resources if you self-publish.

 Good Luck with linking your book to the curriculum ?
 
Karen Tyrrell writes empowering books to help kids live STRONG through humour and self-belief.  She’s a passionate writing workshop presenter and interactive story teller wearing fun costumes.