Lesson summary
In this lesson, students will complete a Think-Pair-Share visible thinking routine to establish what they know about the link between homelessness and human rights. They will read a section of the Human Rights And Equal Opportunity Commission’s 2008 Paper, Homelessness Is A Human Rights Issue, then reframe their thoughts on the link. Students will watch a short clip from Life After The Oasis and make assertions about Haley's experiences. They will then participate in a Socratic Seminar activity to explore the impact that media representations of homelessness can have on government policy around the issue. Students will reflect on their learning by responding in writing to a reflection prompt.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand the role that the media plays in influencing public opinion on social issues
- understand that citizens can influence government policies on social issues
Success criteria:
Students can...
- describe the link between homelessness and human rights
- make connections between how the media represents the issue of homelessness and the way the issue is addressed by democratically elected governments
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:
Year 9 Civics and Citizenship:
- How citizens’ political choices are shaped, including the influence of the media (ACHCK076)
- The influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping identities and attitudes to diversity (ACHCK080)
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from a range of sources in relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS084)
General capabilities: Literacy, Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability
Relevant parts of Year 9 achievement standards: Students identify and analyse the influences on people’s political choices. They analyse a range of factors that influence identities and attitudes to diversity. Students compare and account for different interpretations and points of view on civics and citizenship issues.
Unit of work: Life After The Oasis – Civics & Citizenship
Time required: 90 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: High – facilitate class discussion and Socratic Seminar
Resources required
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Handling Sensitive Topics And Controversial Issues Factsheet (optional)
- Homelessness Is A Human Rights Issue Factsheet – one per student
- Article: Media Lead Beat-Up Of Homeless, Bad Government Policy Follows – one per student
Skills
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Empathy
- Social skills
Additional info
This resource has been adapted from ‘Teaching Social Issues Through English’ developed with the English Teachers Association NSW and the ‘Youth Homelessness Matters Resource’ developed by Janice Atkin. You can find these resources here.
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