![]() A fascinating read! Its a book I won in an AATE competition last year and finally got around to reading. It didn't take me long but I know I'll revisit this book going forward. A few takeaways from it: 1. Indigenous generally refers to flora and fauna and First Nations refers to traditional custodians, 2. Use plurals - cultures, languages, peoples, histories - rather than the singular, 3. Use texts about First Nations peoples written by First Nations peoples, 4. Ask what they'd like to share or not share - don't presume, 5. Text suggestions are great and some are on my TBR. Definitely one to read if you're wanting suggestions on bringing First Nations perspectives into English, but I will say that the ideas explored and concepts discussed can be applied to any literacy-rich subject.
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![]() Version 3, done and dusted! It changes point of view in same chapter so you read about the same date from different point of views. It was a struggle to read - not because I ready knew the plot; if anything, knowing it already helped me get through it. The beginning was very slow which is what put me off. Two things I'm glad of: 1. I didn't give it to my Year 9s to use for their genre study, and 2. I read the kids and graphic novel versions first. ![]() I bought this a year ago from Melbourne with the idea that I would add it to my senior years (Year 10-12) library. I started reading and immediately thought "this is good, but not suitable for high school students." There a plenty of R-rated and graphic descriptions, particularly of a sexual nature that while I didn't mind, I could not in good conscience have in my classroom. I would, however, keep this as a teacher resource and use excerpts from it in my classes where appropriate. Towards the end of the book, I was craving a solid full length story that was more than 5-10 pages so finishing this was rather painful. I'm glad I read it, not sure I would read it again in a hurry. ![]() In writing this review, I fully acknowledge my privilege as a white woman living in Australia. Learning more and as much as I can about First Nations people is a priority, especially as I teach so many incredible young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. I selected "My Tidda, My Sister" because, honestly, I loved the cover, and I also found it so interesting from the blurb on the back. Having said that, I did find an issue with my reading of the book. I felt that Maree Silva spoke a lot of her own story (which she is 100% entitled to!), but I really wanted to know the stories of the women that we wrote about. I wanted to get in-depth into the stories these women wanted to tell. My intention is to put it in my classroom library for my students to read and - hopefully - enjoy! ![]() Can this be counted as professional reading? No? Bugger, it should be. From sharing stories about accomodations for students and having a national curriculum with state variants to those students who drive you batty but you can't help but form connections with and love; it has it all. It is also a great insight to the life and workload of a teacher. Gabbie is a "recovering" primary teacher ("recovering" being her words not mine) but the workload and points about education that she discusses are just as relevant to secondary teachers. Definitely a book well worth reading. Now to get her other book ... |
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