Attached is a document which you will hopefully be able to download and have a look at. It is a resource pack (designed for teachers to use but since I'm not with you, read through it yourself). I would really like it if some of you were to get stuck into this topic. It fits perfectly with our Human Rights and, Fairness, Justice and Equality work.
I was really looking forward to exploring some of the TWAU sub topics that I mentioned to you in my letter last week. Homelessness has always been something which I have felt very strongly about. I remember once seeing a huge billboard poster that said ‘We are all only 3 missed mortgage payments away from being made homeless’ Now, you as children don’t need to worry too much about mortgages right now, but, as adults… well, paying for your home every month is extremely important. This poster made me realise that homelessness can affect anyone. People can end up losing their homes through many different reasons, such as illness, job loss, poor life choices and more. For this reason, I often try to do something to help if I see someone living on the streets… because I have no idea what got them to that unfortunate position. I think it must be one of the most awful positions to find yourself in to no longer have a warm, safe home. Here are a few activities that I hope some of you will try out… another mini project if you like:
- English: Create a character who is homeless and write a descriptive diary entry or a poem as this person. Consider their gender, age, background, cause of homelessness and their feelings towards their situation
- Art: Design a poster to help raise awareness of homelessness
Geography: Find out about numbers of homeless people in Northern Ireland, or the UK if you prefer. Investigate which cities have the highest numbers of homeless people. Are there larger numbers of men or women who are homeless?
- History: Investigate what support would have been available to people who were homeless throughout different historical periods. (You already know all about the workhouses in Victorian Times)
- Citizenship: Imagine that you were the Prime Minister. What changes would you make to help reduce homelessness? Investigate the role of charities in supporting people who are homeless. Which charities in Northern Ireland do you think offer the best sort of help and why?
Remember, you have my email address if you would like to send me any examples of your work. I’d love to see it. Miss you all terribly.
Mrs Young xx
