Lessons+On+Poverty

The Issues Relating To Poverty ​ This lesson is designed to introduce students to the effects of poverty. Standards of living may vary from country to country but the issues relating to poverty do not change. They include hunger, homelessness, lack of education, and lack of basic resources. A graphic organizer is provided for you to download and use with your students. Using the UNCyberSchoolBus website, students will take notes on the five targeted issues related to poverty either as individuals or in groups. How extensive you wish to take the research is entirely up to you. Students can use their information as a foundation for multimedia presentations using PowerPoint or PhotoStory. The class can vote on the best presentation and have the winner displayed on the screen out front. Students could create roleplays or skits from their information or posters/artwork. The products can be endless! The website and graphic organizer are listed below.  [] (Check the tabs at the top of the site for other issues) [|The Issues Relating To Poverty Graphic Organizer.doc]

=Lessons from Renzulli Learning = As we discuss the issues of poverty, it is difficult to ignore the role social classes play in the equation. The following activity is an interactive game exploring the different social classes in America. It is a perfect independent activity for computer centers or enrichment time. Have students visit []  and click on the words "Social Class In America." Have them read the introduction, then click on "Play The Game." When they have finished all the activities, have them complete a $1.00 summary of the activity. Make each word worth .05 cents, and find out what they discovered.

Another activity from Renzulli explores the colonias, rural communities within 150 miles of the Mexican border located in Texas. Students will learn the history of the las colonias and the issues facing the residents today. By following this web address, [] , students will see life through the camera lens of real kids who live in the colonias. They can then take a virtual tour through the villages and meet real people and view their living conditions by clicking on [] . The last segment of this lessons is an interactive, technology driven roleplay assignment where students build a new community, taking into account the problems of poverty and how they could reduce the effects. []