Shake a Leg is a beautiful celebration of the Aboriginal culture and how this lives on in today’s multicultural society. It is very fitting that we should read this story when we are learning about Naidoc Week.
The Aboriginal character in this story is different to how we traditionally see Aboriginal people. The author has done this on purpose to show us that they are people like us in many ways and yet their traditions and culture mean so much to them.
Before Reading
When you think of Indigenous people what comes to mind? What pictures do you see in your head?
Are all Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders the same? Are all non-Indigenous the same? Are indigenous people today the same or different from those of early Australia?
Look at the front cover of the book.
What is happening?
What are the boys doing?
What does shake a leg mean?
Are all Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders the same? Are all non-Indigenous the same? Are indigenous people today the same or different from those of early Australia?
Look at the front cover of the book.
What is happening?
What are the boys doing?
What does shake a leg mean?
Read the story and discuss
Applying the text
- Why could people still think that Aboriginal people all have spears and live in the outback of Australia? What is it about the way we learn about Indigenous people or our experiences that make us think like this?
- How does the book, "Shake a Leg," help us to see things differently and change our understandings?
- Why do you think Boori Monty Pryor wrote this book? What message did he have for all Australians?