Social Issues Globally

Curriculum Connections

• Ontario Social Studies Curriculum, Grade 6 (2018) – Heritage and Identity
• Overall Expectations:
  • B2.1 demonstrate an understanding of social issues, including human rights concerns, that affect various cultural groups in Canada and the world (Social Studies, Grade 6)
• Specific Expectations:
  • B2.1.1 describe different social issues faced by cultural groups in Canada and other countries
  • B2.1.2 identify possible responses by individuals, groups, and governments to social issues

Lesson Overview

In this 45-minute lesson (Lesson 10 of 15: "Exploring Global Communities Through Inquiry"), students will investigate and discuss social issues faced by different cultures worldwide, fostering empathy, awareness, and critical thinking. The lesson is designed for 20 students in a mixed-ability grade 6 class in Sutton, Ontario, including students with Autism, ADHD, and IEP accommodations.

---

Learning Goals

I can...

• Discuss social issues relevant to different cultures globally.
• Understand and articulate how social issues affect people's lives differently depending on culture.
• Reflect on ways communities respond to social challenges.

---

Success Criteria

• Participate actively in paired and whole-class discussions about social challenges in diverse cultures.
• Use empathy and respectful listening when discussing other cultures' experiences.
• Identify key social issues and possible community responses in case studies provided.

---

Materials

• Case studies handouts (4 different cases highlighting social issues in various global cultures)
• Essential questions outline (dyslexia-friendly format, large font, bullet points)
• Chart paper and markers
• Graphic organisers (e.g., T-chart for Issue & Response)
• Projector or smartboard for visuals (optional)

---

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Briefly connect to prior lessons about global communities and identity.
• Present the essential questions in an outline form on the board/projector:
  • What social challenges do some cultures experience?
  • How do people and communities respond to these challenges?
• Review the “I can…” statements and success criteria aloud.

2. Case Study Exploration in Pairs (20 minutes)

• Distribute differentiated case studies to student pairs (mixed-ability when possible). Cases include topics such as:
  • Indigenous access to clean water in Canada
  • Education access in rural Africa
  • Child labour practices in South Asia
  • Refugee challenges in the Middle East
• Dyslexia-Friendly Option: Written cases use clear fonts, bullet points, and visuals/icons for key ideas.
• Students read and discuss the case, filling in a graphic organiser with:
  • Description of the social issue
  • Effects on people’s daily lives
  • Possible community or government responses

3. Whole Class Sharing and Discussion (15 minutes)

• Invite pairs to share their findings and responses with the class.
• Teacher facilitates a discussion focusing on empathy and understanding:
  • How might people feel living with this social issue?
  • What can communities do to help?
  • Are these challenges similar or different from issues we see locally?
• Emphasize respectful listening and diverse perspectives.

4. Reflection and Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

• Students write a short reflection responding to:
  • One new thing they learned about a social issue in another culture.
  • One way they think people can help solve these issues.
• Collect exit tickets for informal assessment and to guide future lessons.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Pair students strategically to foster peer support (e.g., one student with stronger reading skills paired with a student with IEP accommodations).
• Provide case studies with varying reading levels and visual support.
• Use graphic organisers to help structure thinking for students with ADHD and autism.
• Provide oral reading assistance and vocabulary preview where needed.
• Allow use of assistive technology (text-to-speech apps) for dyslexic learners.

---

Extension Activities

• Students interested in deeper inquiry can research one social issue further at home or in the library.
• They prepare a brief presentation or poster outlining the issue, affected community, and potential solutions or responses, from multiple perspectives (individual, community, government).
• Encourage creativity: multimedia presentations, role plays, or storytelling.

---

Assessment

• Informal: Teacher observations during pair and group discussions, noting engagement and empathy.
• Formal: Review of completed graphic organisers and exit tickets to check understanding of social issues and responses.

---

Teacher Reflection Notes

• Monitor engagement for students with ADHD and behaviour diagnoses; incorporate movement breaks if needed.
• Adapt case studies further if reading level or interest requires.
• Consider inviting guest speakers or virtual tours about social justice/global citizenship in future lessons.

---

By embedding empathy-focused inquiry around social issues faced by diverse communities worldwide, this lesson aligns with Ontario’s Social Studies curriculum’s emphasis on heritage, identity, and human rights, supporting diverse learners meaningfully.