Grade 6 - Unit 3
How Can We Increase Fairness In Our Society?
Lesson 1
In order to understand this unit, you must first understand what fairness is. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, fairness is the quality of treating people equally or in a way that is right or reasonable. While it might seem simple, creating am society where all are treated fairly is a difficult task.
The goal of this unit is to look at ways YOU can help to increase fairness in your community. To start, please look at the vocab words to the right. Rewrite each definition in your own words to help you better understand what they mean.
Generational and Situational Poverty
One of the factors that influence fairness in societies is wealth. Traditionally, those with greater wealth hold more power. Likewise, those with little wealth have less power. Having little wealth is known as poverty. There are different types of poverty which impact people differently. Look below to better understand the different types of poverty.
Generational Poverty
This is defined as a family having lived in poverty for at least two generations. People in generational poverty frequently have some similar characteristics.
1. Hopelessness: This is the result of the combined impact of spiritual, parental, and educational poverty.
2. Surviving v. Planning: There is an urgency to focus on the current situation.
3. Values and Patters: Short-term outcomes tend to be the focus. Counterproductive traditions can also be passed down.
Situational Poverty
Income has decreased due to a specific change—job loss, divorce, death, etc. While there can be a domino effect caused by this one change, people experiencing situational poverty tend to remain hopeful, knowing that this is a temporary setback.
Consumerism
Lesson 2
At the most basic level, fairness is about resources. Below are some different recourses. As a class, discuss whether or not the resources are a need (something you must have to survive) or a want (something that is nice to have).
Lesson 3
In the 20th Century, American psychologist Abraham Maslow came up with a theory. This was known as the Hierarchy of Needs. His Hierarchy of Needs was a pyramid explains what people need in order to have a complete life.
According to Maslow, some things are more important than others. The most basic needs are at the bottom of the pyramid. It is only when our most basic needs are met that we can rise up towards self-actualization (fulfilling out potential and interests). Look at the image to the left and discuss what you notice. |
Task 1
Being in poverty means you don't have enough money to meet your basic needs. In 2011, the international poverty rate was $5.50 (20.02 QAR) a day. Adjusted for inflation, this equals $7.38 (26.86 QAR). Use this information to create a meal plan for one person for one week.
Lesson 5
Poverty and People
Poverty can be broken down into two different types, Absolute Poverty and Relative Poverty. Absolute poverty is the most severe. This means that someone does not have the ability to meet their most basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare. Relative Poverty is when someone is poor in comparison to others in their society. This is more common and is often sees as social inequality. This type of poverty is not always linked to money and can be seen through education, health, safety, and politics. Look at the chart to the right to better understand the difference between absolute and relative poverty. |
Case Study: The United States of America
Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States has the highest number of people living in relative poverty. The US, and many other countries, use a measure called the poverty line to describe the minimum income needed for a family to support itself. In 2015, if a family of four living in the US had an annual income of less than $23,000 they were classified as poor and living below the poverty line.
Below are a series of five different sources. Use the sources provided to answer the questions provided.
Below are a series of five different sources. Use the sources provided to answer the questions provided.
Lesson 6
One of the biggest problems associated with poverty is finding ways to get people out. Frequently, people assume that getting out of poverty is as simply as finding a job. This lesson will explore different ways people can get out of poverty.
Task 1
You are recruiter who helps companies find good quality employees to work for them. Below are the job listings you need to hire for. To the right you will see the candidates that had applied today. Carefully read the job postings and the biographies. Then decide who you will hire and who you will not. This should be documented in the answer sheet below. |
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When looking at getting out of poverty, you must understand the Poverty Trap. The Poverty Trap is an economic theory that starts that once you live in poverty, there are certain social structures which make it harder to get out of poverty. As a class, discuss what these factors could be and how they could be avoided.
Lesson 7
Poverty is found in all countries. Countries that are poorer tend to have higher levels of poverty and are more likely to have people living in absolute poverty. One way that we rank countries is through their level of development. This means that we look at the level of human and economic development in the country. The images below explain what this means.
Developing countries tend to run efficiently, have good infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc), quality healthcare and education. These countries also tend to have a higher level of income for people living there. Likewise, developing countries tend to have some good aspects, yet struggle with others. For example, they might have good education but lack quality infrastructure. They could also have high income for some but not for others.
It is difficult to measure the difference between a developed and developing country. This is due to the many differences that can exist between categories. To help us understand the difference, we can look at a few different things. This is explained in the chart below.
It is difficult to measure the difference between a developed and developing country. This is due to the many differences that can exist between categories. To help us understand the difference, we can look at a few different things. This is explained in the chart below.
Task 1:
Human Development Index (HDI)
One of the best ways to measure development of a country is to look at the Human Development Index (HDI). This is used by the United Nations to look at a combination of economic and human development indicators such as life expectancy, education, and income. This is then given a number between 0 and 1. Look at the image below and discuss what you notice. What do many of these countries have in common?
Task 2:
Average Life Expectancy and Income, 2013
The table below shows a selection of countries from 2013 with their average life expectancy and average income per person (GDP). Look at the table and use it to complete the assignment below.
Task 3: Formative Assessment
Factors that Influence Development
There are numerous factors which influence the development of a particular country. Look at the image below to learn more about these factors.
Task 4:
ATL Practice
Lesson 8
One important thing to understand when looking at equality and consumerism is the interaction producers and consumers of goods. In order to make money, consumers and producers can both take advantage of one another in an way that is not fair. To combat this, some companies are focusing on maintaining Fair Trade. One organisation that does this is the Fairtrade Foundation.
What is Fair Trade? The Fairtrade Foundation works with farmers and workers so they can improve their living standards, invest in their communities and businesses, and protect our shared environment. Fairtrade achieves this by rallying a global community of millions – farmers and workers, supply chain partners, brands, retailers, shoppers, schools, government – to pay fair prices and uphold fair production standards and practices. Fair prices provide an immediate lifeline for farmers and workers struggling with low incomes and disadvantaged by global trade. |
Case Study: Agricultural Production
Below are two primary sources. Carefully read each source. Then, explain how the Fairtrade Movement has benefited these particular farmers. Be sure to use evidence to support your claim.
After you do this, please reflect on the different ways global interaction can have a positive and negative impact on the development of different countries.
After you do this, please reflect on the different ways global interaction can have a positive and negative impact on the development of different countries.
Summative
You work for an international agency that specializes in development. Your organization provides recommendations to countries on how to find a solution to poverty and development problems. Your task is to write a plan for the government with three short-term goals and three long-term goals to help the development of the country. You should aim to make the plan between 400 and 600 words in length. Structure the plan with subheadings and explanations for each of the goals which you hope they would achieve while also including the perspectives of different stakeholders (Farmers, Children, the Government, Doctors and Nurses, and Miners).
Your agency also works closely with two aid agencies that can offer relief to some of the problems. The first, ‘Emergency Aid’, is able to help with the distribution of water, medicines and vaccinations, clearing landmines and the building of roads. The second, ‘Sustainable Futures’, specializes in the development of industry and education. It works with governments in a long-term relationship to develop services, systems and infrastructure over time.
When you have completed your plan, complete a reflection. Thian about what went well in your work and how you might do things differently next time.
Look at the country profile below to learn more about the task at hand.
Your agency also works closely with two aid agencies that can offer relief to some of the problems. The first, ‘Emergency Aid’, is able to help with the distribution of water, medicines and vaccinations, clearing landmines and the building of roads. The second, ‘Sustainable Futures’, specializes in the development of industry and education. It works with governments in a long-term relationship to develop services, systems and infrastructure over time.
When you have completed your plan, complete a reflection. Thian about what went well in your work and how you might do things differently next time.
Look at the country profile below to learn more about the task at hand.