The Oasis - Considering the Issues

This lesson emphasises student voice and choice and scaffolds the process of identifying a problem or issue, forming an inquiry question around the issue, and taking action to address the issue. Students apply the knowledge and understanding they have gained throughout the Finding out section of this unit to identify and address one of the social issues that lies within the broader issue of youth homelessness. They are given the opportunity to remember the sections of THE OASIS that affected them, then name the issues that are raised in the documentary. Students frame the issues as questions to be responded to, then help each other to think about an action that could be taken to address the issue. Students then form project groups based on common interests, with a view to planning and delivering a social action project. This is the first of three Social Action Project lessons, all of which provide a framework for developing, planning and carrying out social action.

Key ideas to explore:

• Homelessness is an issue that can be faced by young people.
• The reasons that young people experience homelessness are varied.
• The issue of homelessness is multi-faceted and complicated.
• Students have the ability to make positive change in their own world.