The Year 6 School Guest Speaker Session and follow up Lesson Plan addresses the curriculum's focus on social, economic, and political development, as well as the importance of informed decision-making and understanding economic, ecological, and government processes and systems.

It also aligns with the curriculum's emphasis on inquiry and skills, as students will be conducting research, developing questions, and proposing solutions based on their findings.

The reflection component of the lesson plan also aligns with the curriculum's emphasis on personal and social capability, as students reflect on their own understanding and potential role in addressing homelessness.

There are two Year 7 School Guest Speaker Sessions, with each stream focusing on different areas:

1) Civics & Citizenship

The School Guest Speaker Session and following lesson plan addresses:

"Civics and Citizenship Knowledge and Understanding" strand by discussing the role of government in addressing social issues like homelessness.

”Civics and Citizenship Skills" strand by encouraging students to think critically about homelessness, engage in research and discussion, and express their ideas through writing.

”Ethical Understanding" capability by promoting empathy and understanding towards people experiencing homelessness.

"Literacy" capability by involving students in reading, writing, and discussion activities.

“Critical and Creative Thinking" capability by encouraging students to analyze the causes and consequences of homelessness and think critically about potential solutions.

”Personal and Social Capability" by encouraging students to consider their role in society and how they can contribute to addressing social issues.

2) Economics & Business

Consumer and Producer Interaction in the Market (ACHEK017): Addressed by discussing how economic disadvantage and homelessness can affect an individual's ability to participate in the market as a consumer. The lesson can also explore how businesses and producers might respond to these issues, such as through corporate social responsibility initiatives or fair trade practices.

Short-term and Long-term Personal, Organisational and Financial Objectives (ACHEK018): Incorporated by discussing how economic disadvantage and homelessness can impact an individual's ability to achieve financial objectives. The lesson can also explore how organizations, such as non-profits, plan and work towards addressing these issues.

Characteristics of Entrepreneurs and Successful Businesses (ACHEK019): Addressed by studying social enterprises that have been successful in addressing issues of economic disadvantage and homelessness. Students can learn about the entrepreneurial skills and behaviors that contribute to these successes.

Why Individuals Work, Types of Work and How People Derive an Income (ACHEK020): Incorporated by discussing the barriers to work faced by those experiencing economic disadvantage and homelessness. The lesson can also explore different ways people derive an income and how this can be impacted by these issues.

Questioning and Research (ACHES021), Gathering Relevant Data (ACHES022), and Interpretation and Analysis (ACHES023): These skills can be developed through a research project on economic disadvantage and homelessness. Students can develop questions, gather data from various sources, and interpret and analyze their findings to gain a deeper understanding of these issues.

There are two Year 8 School Guest Speaker Sessions, with each stream focusing on different areas:

1) Civics & Citizenship

Civics and Citizenship Knowledge and Understanding: Addresses by discussing political, social and economic responses to homelessness. Students will gain an understanding of the concepts of homelessness and how it relates to the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens in Australia’s democracy. They will also learn about the laws in Australia that relate to homelessness and how they are made and applied.

Laws and citizens: A lived experience discussion on laws and homelessness will specifically address this area. Students will distinguish between statutory, common, and executive laws that impact homeless individuals. This will help them understand how laws are made and applied in Australia.

Government and democracy:

Students will learn about how citizens can participate in democracy to address homelessness. They will understand the role of elected representatives, lobby groups, and direct action such as public demonstrations or social media campaigns.

Citizenship, diversity, and identity: Students will explore different perspectives about Australia’s national identity and what it means to be Australian in the context of homelessness. This is expanded in the lesson plan with a creative writing exercise. They will also learn about how citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy through their group project. The reflective writing will allow them to express their understanding of these concepts and how they relate to the issue of homelessness.

Personal and Social Capability: Students will develop their personal and social capability by empathising with the Matt's experiences, and engaging in follow up discussions.

Ethical Understanding: Students will develop their ethical understanding by considering the ethical implications of homelessness and proposing ethical solutions.

Intercultural Understanding: Students will develop their intercultural understanding by considering different cultural perspectives on homelessness. These are discussed during the presentation and are included in the lesson plan.

2) Economics & Business

Understanding Economic Disadvantage and Homelessness: Addresses the key inquiry question "What may affect the ways people work now and in the future?" Students will explore how economic disadvantage, including factors such as unemployment and low income, can affect an individual's ability to secure stable employment and housing, leading to homelessness.

Markets, Government Intervention, and Homelessness: Addresses the content description "The ways markets in Australia operate to enable the distribution of resources, and why they may be influenced by government (ACHEK027)". Students will learn about the role of markets in the distribution of resources, including housing, and how government intervention can affect these markets. They will explore how market failures and government policies can contribute to homelessness.

Rights, Responsibilities, and Homelessness: Addresses the content description "The rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses in Australia in terms of financial and economic decision-making (ACHEK029)". Students will learn about the rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses, and how these can impact individuals experiencing homelessness. For example, they might explore how consumer protection laws can help prevent exploitative practices that could lead to homelessness.

Business Responses to Homelessness: Addresses the content description "Types of businesses and the ways that businesses respond to opportunities in Australia (ACHEK030)". Students will explore how businesses can respond to the issue of homelessness, such as through corporate social responsibility initiatives or social enterprises that provide employment opportunities for homeless individuals.

There are two Year 9 School Guest Speaker Sessions, with each stream focusing on different areas:

1) Civics & Citizenship

Civics and Citizenship Knowledge and Understanding: This area of the curriculum is about understanding societal issues, the roles of key groups in society, and how these issues are managed. In the lesson, students will reflect on Matt's experiences of homelessness. They will discuss the causes and impacts of homelessness, and how it is addressed by different groups in society, including government, non-government organizations, and individuals.

Government and Democracy: This part of the curriculum focuses on understanding the role of government and political parties in society. In the following suggested lesson plan, students will discuss how government policies might have impacted the Matt’s experiences of homelessness. They will explore the role of government in addressing homelessness and how different political parties might approach this issue.

Laws and Citizens: This section of the curriculum is about understanding the justice system and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Students will discuss how laws might impact people experiencing homelessness, such as laws around vagrancy or the right to shelter. They will also discuss the responsibilities of citizens in addressing homelessness.

How citizens’ political choices are shaped: This part of the curriculum focuses on understanding how media and other influences shape citizens' political choices. Students will discuss how the media portrays homelessness and how this might influence public opinion and political choices around this issue.

Citizenship, Diversity, and Identity: This section of the curriculum is about understanding the diverse identities in society and the role of active citizenship. Students will discuss the role of non-government organizations in supporting people experiencing homelessness. They will also explore how they can contribute to these efforts as active citizens, promoting diversity and inclusion.

Civics and Citizenship Skills: This part of the curriculum is about developing skills for active citizenship, such as questioning, researching, analyzing, evaluating, communicating, and reflecting. In following suggested lesson plan, students will engage in discussions, reflection activities, and potentially research tasks, allowing them to develop these skills in the context of understanding and addressing homelessness.

2) Business & Economics

Australia as a trading nation and its place within the rising economies of Asia and broader global economy (ACHEK038): This will be addressed during the reflective discussion and group activity. Students will be asked to consider how the Matt's experiences of homelessness might be influenced by Australia's economic status and trade relationships. For example, they might discuss how economic trends, such as unemployment rates or cost of living, could have impacted the Matt's situation.

Why and how participants in the global economy are dependent on each other (ACHEK039): Students will reflect on how the Matt's experiences highlight the interconnectedness of the global economy. They might discuss how economic policies in one country can impact homelessness rates in another, or how international aid and cooperation can help address homelessness.

Why and how people manage financial risks and rewards in the current Australian and global financial landscape (ACHEK040): This will be addressed as students reflect on the included experiences in the context of financial risk management. They might discuss issues of financial literacy, unexpected expenses, or economic downturns could contribute to homelessness, and how services and support can help prevent it.

The nature of innovation and how and why businesses seek to create and maintain a competitive advantage in the market, including the global market (ACHEK041): This will be addressed as students consider how business innovation and competition can impact homelessness. They might discuss how businesses can contribute to economic growth and job creation, or how innovative solutions can help address homelessness (e.g., affordable housing initiatives, job training programs).

The changing roles and responsibilities of participants in the Australian or global workplace (ACHEK042): This will be addressed as students reflect on how changes in workplace roles and responsibilities can impact homelessness. They might discuss how job loss, underemployment, or the transition to a digital economy could contribute to homelessness, and how workplace policies and support can help prevent it.

There are two Year 10 School Guest Speaker Sessions, with each stream focusing on different areas:

1) Civics & Citizenship

Civics and Citizenship Knowledge and Understanding: This area of the curriculum is about understanding Australia's system of government, its roles and responsibilities, and the values and practices that sustain a democratic society. In the lesson plan, students will reflect on Matt's experiences of homelessness within the context of Australia's democratic values and government responsibilities. They will discuss how these experiences relate to the principles of democracy and human rights, and how government policies and societal attitudes towards homelessness reflect these principles.

Civics and Citizenship Skills: This area of the curriculum is about developing skills for active citizenship, such as questioning, research, analysis, problem-solving, and communication. In the lesson plan, students will research government policies related to homelessness and analyze how these policies might have affected Matt's experiences. They will also brainstorm potential policy changes or initiatives that could help alleviate homelessness.

Ethical Understanding: This area of the curriculum is about understanding and reflecting on ethical issues and decision-making processes. In the lesson plan, students will discuss the ethical implications of homelessness, focusing on the rights and responsibilities of individuals, the government, and society. They will consider questions such as: What is our ethical responsibility towards homeless individuals? How should the government balance the rights of homeless individuals with the needs of society?

Literacy: This area of the curriculum is about developing skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing. In the lesson plan, students will develop their writing skills through journaling and essay writing. They will write a journal entry reflecting on the Matt’s presentation, and an essay analyzing government policies, ethical implications, and potential solutions to homelessness.

Critical and Creative Thinking: This area of the curriculum is about developing skills in thinking critically and creatively to solve problems, make decisions, and innovate. In the lesson plan, students will use these skills to brainstorm potential solutions to homelessness, considering the roles of various stakeholders and the potential impacts of different solutions.

Personal and Social Capability: This area of the curriculum is about developing skills in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social management. In the lesson plan, students will reflect on their reactions to the Matt's experiences and consider how they can contribute to addressing homelessness. This will help them develop empathy, self-awareness, and social responsibility.

Intercultural Understanding: This area of the curriculum is about understanding and appreciating cultural diversity, and being able to interact and communicate across cultures. In the lesson plan, students will research homelessness in another country in the Asia region and compare it with the situation in Australia. They will consider how cultural, social, and government factors might influence the experiences of homeless individuals in these countries.

2) Economics & Business

There are multiple following lesson plans available for this stream.

Indicators of Economic Performance and How Australia’s Economy is Performing & The Links Between Economic Performance and Living Standards

Lesson 2: Economic Performance and Living Standards

Students research and present on the economic indicators in the area where Matt experienced homelessness, drawing connections to their personal story. This allows students to apply these curriculum concepts in a real-world context.

The Ways that Governments Manage Economic Performance to Improve Living Standards

Lesson 3: Government Intervention and Economic Disadvantage

Students debate the effectiveness of current government interventions in reducing homelessness, using the guest speaker's experiences as a case study. This allows students to critically engage with this aspect of the curriculum.

Factors that Influence Major Consumer and Financial Decisions and the Short- and Long-term Consequences of These Decisions

Lesson 4: Consumer and Financial Decisions

Students create a hypothetical budget for a person experiencing homelessness, reflecting on the challenges highlighted by the guest speaker. This activity directly engages students with these curriculum concepts, understanding how economic disadvantage can impact financial decisions.

4. The Ways Businesses Respond to Changing Economic Conditions and Improve Productivity Through Organisational Management and Workforce Management

Lesson 5: Role of Businesses and Community in Addressing Homelessness

Students design a corporate social responsibility initiative or community project to address homelessness, inspired by the guest speaker's experiences. This activity allows students to explore how businesses and communities can contribute to solving economic issues, directly applying this aspect of the curriculum.

Understanding the Human Experience of Economic Conditions

Lesson 1: Reflection on Matt’s Presentation

Students write a reflection on the Matt's presentation, focusing on what they found most impactful or surprising. This activity engages students with the real-world impact of economic disadvantage, which is a key aspect of economic understanding.

Year 11 & 12 sessions are not linked to the Australian Curriculum and are often incorporated into your School’s wider social and community programs.

We are happy to liaise with you to tailor the School Guest Speaker Session to achieve your desired outcomes.