BRAINSTORM words that come to mind when you think of a homeless person. Record these on the whiteboard. After you have recorded them on the whiteboard divide them into positive, negative and neutral descriptors.
Count up the number of positive, negative and neutral descriptors - what does this say about our class stereotypes of homelessness?
Separate an A3 page into 4 and brainstorm answers in small groups to the following questions:
How are characters who are homeless portrayed in movies and on television?
Do you think that these portrayals are accurate, and why?
Do the same stereotypes apply to young people who are homeless? Why or why not?
How appropriate are these stereotypes given what we have learnt about the different types of homelessness
(recall Week 4 and 5 classroom discussion)
DISCUSS as a class.
VIEW - Watch the clip below "The Culture of Youth Homelessness". Discuss as a class:
What did you feel when watching this clip?
What does the artwork in the clip tell you about the people that are homeless?
If you were a homeless person doing a piece of artwork, what colours would you use and why?
Activity 2: Stereotypes unpacked
Watch the clip below, with your class.
Identify the words you would use to describe the man.
Refer back to the original list of words collated on the whiteboard and compare.
What might be some of the reasons that might have led to this man being homeless?
How do this man's experiences compare to those of homeless people portrayed in the media and movies?
Discuss how watching this clip may have changed your perceptions about what homeless people are like and what situations lead to them becoming homeless.