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Overarching learning goal: Students understand that they are capable of taking action to address the social issues that exist in their world.

Teacher content information: Student voice and choice is key in this lesson. Students will identify a social issue that they would like to address, brainstorm how they are going to address the issue, plan a social action project and carry out the social action. Enabling students to take social action will engage them more deeply in the learning process - they focus on the issues that the class has been exploring throughout the unit and take ownership of their learning. This social action project will also encourage students to connect with and create change in their local and broader community, and creates excellent opportunities for students to develop real-world skills. Most importantly, the social action section of this unit enables students to develop the understanding that the status quo does not necessarily need to remain so - they have the power and the ability to make positive change in their own world.

This lesson is based on THE OASIS documentary, which raises awareness of youth homelessness, celebrates the resilience of young people who are experiencing homelessness in Australia and empowers the next generation of young people to take action to prevent youth homelessness in the future.

Young people often become homeless because of family breakdown, often stemming from parental conflicts or a collapse of their relationship with a husband/wife or partner. Some young people who are living independently become homeless because they can’t afford living expenses such as rent. Being homeless is unsafe, unhealthy and very stressful. Young people experiencing homelessness are not a homogeneous group. They come from a range of family backgrounds, have diverse dispositions, expectations and desires, and they encounter services of varying quality. Their common needs are to have a stable home; friends; healthy nutrition; to be cared about as individuals; to have adequate educational support; help when they need help; and reliable adults in their lives.

THE OASIS documentary can be viewed online for free or the DVD can be purchased from the Shark Island Productions store online.

Warning: The documentary contains explicit language, images of drug use and confronting scenes and may offend some viewers. Teachers should use their personal discretion when showing the documentary. This resource deals with the rising problem of youth homelessness and its associated social and personal issues. There may be students in your class who have experienced some of the issues discussed. You are encouraged to arrive at a set of agreements with your class about the best way to approach the issues being covered in a way that recognises the dignity of our fellow human.

The Oasis - Taking Action

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