Poverty and Inequality in Australia - Fair Share

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Year 3 Mathematics:

• Recall multiplication facts of two, three, five and ten and related division facts (ACMNA056)
• Represent and solve problems involving multiplication using efficient mental and written strategies and appropriate digital technologies (ACMNA057)
• Represent money values in multiple ways and count the change required for simple transactions to the nearest five cents (ACMNA059)

Year 4 Mathematics:

• Recall multiplication facts up to 10 × 10 and related division facts (ACMNA075)
• Develop efficient mental and written strategies and use appropriate digital technologies for multiplication and for division where there is no remainder (ACMNA076)
• Solve problems involving purchases and the calculation of change to the nearest five cents with and without digital technologies (ACMNA080)

Syllabus outcomes: MA2-2WM, MA2-3WM, MA2-4NA, MA2-5NA, MA2-6NA. 

General capabilities: Numeracy, Creative and Critical Thinking, Ethical Understanding.

Relevant parts of Year 3 achievement standards: 
At the end of grade 3 students recognise the connection between addition and subtraction and solve problems using efficient strategies for multiplication.

Relevant parts of Year 4 achievement standards: 
At the end of grade 4 students choose appropriate strategies and calculations involving multiplication and division.

• Access to the Internet and the YouTube video
• A device capable to project and present the YouTube clip to class (ensure sound works)
• Dice (6 sided) per group
• Printed copies of Monopoly Game Board per group

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• communication
• creativity
• critical thinking
• empathy
• ethical understanding
• global citizenship
• initiative
• problem solving
• collaboration   

Time required: 90 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion

These lessons have been designed in consultation with Anti-Poverty Week and ACOSS/UNSW Poverty and Inequality Partnership.

The content and information in these lessons may be overwhelming and cause some students to experience heightened emotions.

Please ensure you allow students to ask questions and to discuss any issues or concerns. Before teaching the lesson, you may consider conducting a class check-in or circle time to establish a safe learning environment. Inform students that this might be a complex topic for them to comprehend. However, let your students know that differences in people’s incomes and wealth are nothing to be ashamed of and that these may be beyond the control of individuals and families – for example, some have more luck than others in landing a good job.

Assure students that organisations and campaigns are working towards decreasing poverty in Australia, and if they would like more information, they can visit the Anti Poverty Week website and the Poverty and Inequality website.