Sharing Our Stories, Aboriginal History for Primary Students

Overview

Year Levels 3–6
Curriculum ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Subject Literacy
Resource Formats Print, Digital
Learning Focus First Nations, Shared reading, Guided reading

What it is

Created in partnership with the SharingStories Foundation, Sharing Our Stories features:

one First Nation community from each state or territory, including the Torres Strait Islands
a story illustrated by children from the local community which is presented in the community language
supporting Teacher Resource books
free support materials including videos and learning activities.

How it helps

Learners

Engages with visual art: Each title features illustrations by children from local communities, which help to bring the stories to life.

Provides insight through real stories: Learners absorb important messages through real stories featuring quotes, photos and artwork from both children and elders within First Nation communities.

Educators

Offers flexible resources: This series supports shared and guided reading, boosts comprehension and critical literacy skills and can also be incorporated into Humanities and Social Sciences lessons.

Provides extensive teacher support: The series provides lesson plans, discussion ideas, videos, songs, samples of the original language and activities.

What it includes

Learn more about the resources included in Sharing Our Stories.

Components

Sharing Our Stories books

There are 2 series with 6 titles in each series focusing on one First Nation community from each state or territory. Each title includes:

a unique story shared by the local community with important messages
stunning illustrations by children from the local community
the story retold in the community’s local language.

Components

Teacher Resources

Each series has one Teacher Resource book which contains:

background notes about the content of each book
lesson plans, ideas for discussion and activities, including blackline masters
audio CD with narrated stories from the books and songs*
samples of the original language in which the stories are told.

*Please ensure you have a device that will play this CD before purchase.

Support videos

Overview

View films from the eight communities featured in Sharing Our Stories Series 2.

Support videos

The Danger Seed, Western Australia

A short film from the Karajarri community, located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Support videos

Djulpan, Northern Territory

A short film from the Yolngu community, located in the Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

Support videos

The Story of Girbar, Torres Strait

A short film from the Saibai community, located on the island of Saibai in the Torres Strait.

Support videos

Miiku and Tinta, Queensland

A short film from the Lockheart River community, located north of Cairns in Queensland.

Support videos

The Moon and the Gecko, New South Wales

A short film from the Paakantji country, which includes Wilcannia on the Darling River in New South Wales.

Support videos

Yulu’s Coal, South Australia

A short film from Adnyamathanha country, located in the northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

Support videos

Bunjil the Eagle, Victoria

A short film from Jarra country, located in western-central Victoria.

Support videos

The Creation of Trowenna, Tasmania

A short film from the Neunone people of Bruny Island, located off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania.

Recipient of Pro Bono Australia’s Innovator Award

Celebrating the work of Liz Thompson

The Sharing Our Stories series was created by Liz Thompson, winner of the Judges Award for Innovator in the 2021 Pro Bono Impact Awards. This award recognised her work with Indigenous communities in the recording and sharing of cultural knowledge and stories.