Poverty and Inequality in Australia - What Are the Chances?

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Years 7 Mathematics:

• Compare fractions using equivalence. Locate and represent positive and negative fractions and mixed numbers on a number line (ACMNA152)
• Express one quantity as a fraction of another, with and without the use of digital technologies (ACMNA155)
• Round decimals to a specified number of decimal places (ACMNA156)
• Connect fractions, decimals and percentages and carry out simple conversions (ACMNA157)
• Find percentages of quantities and express one quantity as a percentage of another, with and without digital technologies (ACMNA158)
• Assign probabilities to the outcomes of events and determine probabilities for events (ACMSP168)
• Construct and compare a range of data displays including stem-and-leaf plots and dot plots (ACMSP170)
• Describe and interpret data displays using median, mean and range (ACMSP172)

Years 8 Mathematics:

• Solve problems involving the use of percentages, including percentage increases and decreases, with and without digital technologies (ACMNA187)
• Explore the variation of means and proportions of random samples drawn from the same population (ACMSP293)
• Investigate the effect of individual data values, including outliers, on the mean and median (ACMSP207)

Syllabus outcomes: MA3-2WM, MA3-7NA, MA3-18SP, MA3-19SP 

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

Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards: 
Students solve problems involving percentages and all four operations with fractions and decimals. Students use fractions, decimals and percentages, and their equivalences. They express one quantity as a fraction or percentage of another. Students determine the sample space for simple experiments with equally likely outcomes and assign probabilities to those outcomes.

Relevant parts of Year 8 achievement standards: 
Students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They explain the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data. They simplify a variety of algebraic expressions.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – teachers guide discussion and explain the meaning of probability and other maths concepts, then support students in their independent work

• A device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Powerpoint presentation on poverty and inequality 
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student

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

• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Digital literacy
• Empathy
• Ethical understanding
• Problem solving     

Relevant parts of Year 8 achievement standards:
Students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They explain the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data. They simplify a variety of algebraic expressions.

Time required: 60 mins

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.