Lesson summary
This lesson introduces some of the issues raised in THE OASIS and uses the inquiry method to encourage students to pose their own questions about the issues. Students watch the opening sequence of THE OASIS and begin to think about young people who are experiencing homelessness. They frame questions around the factors surrounding youth homelessness. Then, using on online search, students research an organisation that they think aims to address the issue of youth homelessness, and invite a guest to address their questions either in person in the classroom or via a web link.
Key ideas to explore:
- Youth homelessness is often invisible.
- There are a number of different ways to view an issue.
- Students can seek information autonomously.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:
Year 9 English:
- Explore and reflect on personal understanding of the world and significant human experience gained from interpreting various representations of life matters in texts (ACELT1635)
Year 10 English:
- Evaluate the social, moral and ethical positions represented in texts (ACELT1812)
- Evaluate the impact on audiences of different choices in the representation of still and moving images (ACELA1572)
Year 11 English:
- Using appropriate form, content, style and tone for different purposes and audiences in real and imagined contexts (ACEEN011)
- Analysing the values and attitudes expressed in texts (ACEEN038)
Year 12 English:
- Analysing the techniques and conventions used in different genres, mediums and modes (ACEEN044)
- The ways language patterns can create shades of meaning (ACEEN047)
- Analysing content, purpose and choice of language (ACEEN063)
Syllabus Outcomes: EN5-1A, EN5-7D.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Literacy.
Unit of work: THE OASIS – English
Time required: 100 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
- Different types of homelessness factsheet
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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