Classroom experiences that critically investigate the causes and meaning of poverty in our own nation offer students tools for change, and new ways to interpret the world around them.
This lesson was adapted for Teaching Tolerance from Life Happens [1], a game created by Tracy Ore, Assistant Professor at Saint Cloud State University, Department of Human Relations and Multicultural Education.
Objectives
Time and Materials
Suggested Procedures
Introduce the lesson objectives to students. Divide your class into small, diverse groups and assign to each group one of the provided family profiles. Explain to students that each of these families is dedicated to providing their children with 1) basic necessities, 2) the best education possible, 3) health care, and 4) fun time.
During the first class period, each group should construct a monthly budget for its family, using the budget cost sheets. As a homework assignment, ask students to reflect on the difficulty or ease of creating the budget in their journals.
During the second, third and fourth class periods, ask each group to draw a "Life Happens" card from the basket. Small groups should then rearrange their budgets, making difficult decisions, as necessary. As a homework assignment, ask students to reflect on the difficulty or ease of creating the revised budget in their journals.
During final period, discuss groups' experiences as a whole class:
Allow students a final opportunity to reflect on their experiences with this lesson as a homework assignment. Collect journals for assessment.
Links:
[1] http://web.stcloudstate.edu/teore/Life/LifeHappens.html
[2] http://www.tolerance.org/images/teach/activities/tt_family_profiles.pdf
[3] http://www.tolerance.org/images/teach/activities/tt_budget_costs.pdf
[4] http://www.tolerance.org/images/teach/activities/tt_life_happens.pdf