Lesson summary
Students identify stereotypes about homelessness and reflect on the negative impacts stereotypes may have for people experiencing homelessness accessing health services. They complete a table where they look at views that may be responsible for reinforcing particular stereotypes about homelessness. Students then ‘burst’ their stereotypes by physically popping balloons.
Key ideas to explore:
- Negative stereotypes are sometimes attached to people experiencing homelessness.
- A more realistic view of the problem of youth homelessness is needed in order to help address the issue.
- There are many ways to effectively challenge and address negative stereotypes about youth homelessness.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:
- Investigate how empathy and ethical decision making contribute to respectful relationships (ACPPS093)
- Critique behaviours and contextual factors that influence health and well being of diverse communities (ACPPS098)
- Evaluate factors that shape identities and critically analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (ACPPS089)
- Examine the impact of changes and transitions on relationships (ACPPS090)
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Literacy, Personal and Social Capability.
Syllabus Outcomes: PDHPE5.1, PDHPE5.3, PDHPE5.3, PDHPE5.11, PDHPE5.13.
Unit of work: THE OASIS – HPE
Time required: 60 minutes
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate discussion.
Resources required
- Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet
- Device capable of presenting websites/videos to the class and access to THE OASIS documentary on Vimeo
- One balloon per student, thumbtacks and permanent markers
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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