Little J feels lucky when he wears a new pair of yellow undies. After Old Dog destroys them, he loses his confidence. Big Cuz saves the day with the remnants of the undies made into a sweat band, and Little J finds confidence to play the basketball game and win the day.

Explore - Draw simple conclusions based on discussions, observations and information displayed in pictures and texts and on maps

Theme - GAMES

After viewing Little J & Big Cuz, episode 1, ‘Lucky Undies’, engage students with the following activities to support their understanding of Little J’s sense of luck and superstition.

During the basketball game, Little J is encouraged to do his best, particularly under pressure. He shows that he can remain calm and concentrate on what he needs to do. This is the sign of a good sportsperson.

Provide a Venn diagram for students to use. On one side of the diagram, ask the students to list the behaviours and values of a good sportsperson, such as team spirit, diligence, tenacity, honesty, integrity, a will to be successful. On the other side, ask students to list the behaviours and values of a bad sportsperson. Invite the students to suggest what common values might sit in the middle. Relate these expectations to the characters in Little J & Big Cuz, Episode 1 ‘Lucky Undies’.

Ask students to nominate a sportsperson they admire and have them justify their choice based on stories about the achievements of their sports star. Make a list of sports stars who have received national awards.

Ask students to select two-three Australian sports stars (an Aboriginal sportsperson and/or Torres Strait Islander sportsperson, and a non-Indigenous sportsperson) who have been awarded the highest honour for achievement in sport and investigate why the award was given. Have students research the judging criteria for the award. Have students compare the judging criteria to the behaviours and values of a ‘good sportsperson’.

Suggested resources:

• Famous Aboriginal sportspeople
• Our top 100 sportsmen and women of last year
• List of Indigenous Australian sportspeople
• Australian Sport History
• Most Popular Sports in Australia

Provide a Star template for students. Have them affix an image of the sportsperson and write his or her name, and the award they attained. They can decorate the sporting star with other words that indicate the criteria for the award.

Develop a class chronological timeline of the sports stars and hang it is the classroom for inspiration.