Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This lesson will have students critically examine and investigate how poverty impacts Australian society’s health and well-being. Students will use their knowledge of community health, social support services and the underlying causes of social disadvantage, to propose collaborative solutions to alleviating some of these underlying barriers to social and economic participation.
Learning intentions:
- Students will understand the broader dimensions of poverty in Australian society and how it impacts individuals
- Students will develop empathy and evaluate the impacts of poverty on individuals within specific groups or characteristics in society
- Students will work collaboratively to design and advocate for a program of positive strategies for individuals and groups to help alleviate poverty, enhance wellbeing and promote social and economic wellbeing.
21st-century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Years 9 & 10 HPE:
- Evaluate factors that shape identities and critically analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (ACPPS089)
- Propose, practise and evaluate responses in situations where external influences may impact their ability to make healthy and safe choices (ACPPS092)
- Critique behaviours and contextual factors that influence health and wellbeing of diverse communities (ACPPS098)
Syllabus outcomes: PD5-1, PD5-2, PD5-9, PD5-10.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Personal and Social Capability.
Relevant parts of Year 9 & 10 HPE achievement standards: Students access, synthesise and apply health information from credible sources to propose and justify responses to health situations. They apply decision-making and problem-solving skills when taking action to enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing.
Topic: Poverty and Inequality in Australia
Time required: 120 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – Teachers provide case studies and instructions, but this lesson is predominantly inquiry-based for students. Teachers should also ensure students are using Internet browsing tools safely and appropriately.
Resources required:
- Access to YouTube and a data projector to show the following to the whole class: More than 3 million people are living in poverty
- Access to YouTube and a data projector to show the following to the whole class: APW 2020 case study bushfires and poverty
- Access to YouTube and a data projector to show the following to the whole class: 1 in 4 Australians are struggling Australians struggling to make ends meet
- Group work configuration, with access to safe Internet browsing facilities and scribing materials for student groups
- Poverty in Australia Overview, 2020 – infographic
- Print-offs (laminated) OR digital access to 6 case studies as presented on http://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/category/stories/
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: Poverty, wellbeing, mental health, homelessness, discrimination, welfare agencies, community resources, the cycle of poverty, social and economic participation.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher Preparation