Emergency tax levy debate
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Introduction
Students explore the cost of natural disasters in Australia at a national and state level. They represent data showing these costs and discuss reasons for differences and the predicted growth in costs over time. Students debate whether it is appropriate for the Australian Government to raise taxes to cover costs associated with natural disasters that only affect some areas of Australia and communicate their discussion in writing.
This activity focuses on the geographical concepts of place, space, environment, interconnection and change.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students explain geographical processes that influence the characteristics of places and explain how places are perceived and valued differently. They explain interconnections within environments and between people and places and explain how they change places and environments. They compare alternative strategies to a geographical challenge, taking into account environmental, economic and social factors.
Students identify geographically significant questions from observations to frame an inquiry. They evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources to locate useful and reliable information and data. They select, record and represent data and the location and distribution of geographical phenomena in a range of appropriate digital and non-digital forms, including maps at different scales that conform to cartographic conventions. They analyse geographical maps, data and other information to propose explanations for spatial distributions, patterns, trends and relationships, and draw reasoned conclusions. Students present findings, arguments and ideas using relevant geographical terminology and digital technologies in a range of appropriate communication forms. They propose action in response to a geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic and social factors, and predict the outcomes of their proposal.
Content descriptions
Geographical Knowledge and Understanding
Causes, impacts and responses to a geomorphological hazard (ACHGK053).
Geographical Inquiry and Skills
Represent data in a range of appropriate forms, for example, climate graphs, compound column graphs, population pyramids, tables, field sketches and annotated diagrams, with and without the use of digital and spatial technologies (ACHGS057).
Present findings, arguments and ideas in a range of communication forms selected to suit a particular audience and purpose; using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS061).
Teacher resources
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Cost of natural disasters in Australia
Student learning resources
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Cost of natural disasters in Australia
Writing paragraphs in Geography
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Suggested activity sequence
This sequence is intended as a framework to be modified and adapted by teachers to suit the needs of a class group.
- As a class read the explainer. Alternatively, students can read the explainer individually or in pairs. If they need support, encourage them to use the reading for meaning strategy or the Cornell note taking system.
- Display slide 2 of the visualiser.
- Students complete the questions on the visualiser using table 1 on the explainer as a stimulus.
- Use a grouping strategy to organise students into groups of 3 or 4.
- Display slide 3 of the visualiser.
- Groups discuss answers to the questions posed.
- Conduct a class debate on the following proposition:
It is appropriate for the Australian Government to raise taxes to cover costs associated with natural disasters that only affect some areas of Australia’. - Students write 2 paragraphs based on the Writing paragraphs in Geography – Model to summarise the key ideas for and against the proposition being debated.