In My Blood It Runs - Teacher’s notes and learning sequence

These teacher’s notes and learning sequence accompany the 2023 children’s book In My Blood It Runs, written by Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson, and Carol Turner, with illustrations by Blak Douglas. They introduce the theme of identity, and the different understandings of this key human concept.

In My Blood It Runs draws attention to a central theme of identity, especially cultural identity. Throughout this learning sequence, students explore identity on a deep level and come to understand that cultural identity is something all people have, regardless of background. Through investigation of their own identities, students have the opportunity to recognise how other people’s sense of identity is shaped in similar ways to their own. This approach addresses the key theme of identity in a meaningful and practical manner that is beneficial to all students.

This learning sequence is aligned with the Australian Curriculum (Version 9) and has applications for years 4-10 across a variety of learning areas including, Humanities and Social Science (subject: ‘Civics and Citizenship’), Health and Physical Education (sub-strand: ‘Identities and Change’), and English (strand: ‘Literature’). It also addresses key points in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority.