First Nations Australians are advised that this task is based on stories of the Stolen Generations.

Showcase your students’ understanding of the themes related to stories about the Stolen Generations with the Pocketful of Quotes Display! This task will help your class recognise how First Nations Australian and wide-ranging Australian authors convey information about important historical contexts, such as the Stolen Generations, through their careful choice of words.

This eye-catching display includes a banner, six theme pockets, two pages of provided quotes from ‘Stolen Girl’ by Trina Saffioti and ‘The Burnt Stick’ by Anthony Hill and a blank page for recording quotes from a text of your choice. Our included quotes relate to the themes of belonging, culture, identity, family, hope and loss.

To complete this activity, students will cut and sort the provided quotes according to their theme. Alternatively, they can locate quotes themselves and record them on the blank template. Prior to sorting the quotes, ensure that your students have a clear understanding of the meaning of each theme. As some of the quotes can be sorted under multiple themes, ask them to justify their choices.

Instructions for putting the display together have been included. We recommend that you print the theme pockets on cardstock. To save ink, you can print the black-and-white pockets on coloured card.

If you require alternate texts related to the Stolen Generations, see the list below. While these texts can be used across year levels, consider the needs of your class before using a text recommended for an older age group. Please note that some of these suggestions may not suit the requirements of this particular task.

Recommended texts for Year 4 students:

• Stolen Girl by Trina Saffioti
• Sorry Day by Coral Vass
• Found by Bruce Pascoe

Recommended texts for Year 5 students:

• Who Am I? by Anita Heiss
• They Took the Children Away by Archie Roach
• Stories for Simon by Lisa Miranda Sarzin

Recommended texts for Year 6 students:

• The Burnt Stick by Anthony Hill
• Sister Heart by Sally Morgan
• Rabbit-Proof Fence film