Teaching cycle of poverty

[kev d]

I would like some assistance in finding resources on "the generational cycle of poverty" and suggestions on how to break the cycle. I am investigating the posibilities of teaching this to yr9/10 SOSE class.

Have you done an ERIC search?

Check out Dr. Ruby K. Payne's book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Contact: www.ahaprocess.com or 1-800-424-9484 or aha! Process, Inc., P. O. Box 727, Highlands, TX 77562. She has wonderful ideas that may be helpful to you.

What a wonderful idea with lasting potential for the students. I would also suggest Ruby Payne's book. She spoke in our city about a yr. ago. Since then, the district has purchased her book for all staff and discussion groups have been formed. Good luck.

[gigi2828]

I like to use a game that some of the other teachers at my school came up with. It uses a Monopoly board, but changes the rules. At the beginning of the game the students roll the dice to see who will be upper and lower class, and then throughout the game there are different rules for different classes. For example the upper class can only use one dice. Also there is a simulation called Archie Bunker's neighborhood that I've seen college groups use. This one highlights more of the racial issues involved, but it can also be fun. You can find Archie Bunker on the net. There are some good articles and books by Jonathon Kozel. I'd be glad to attach a copy of the rules of the Monopoly game for you, but I'm not sure how you do something like that on here. Let me know if you know how to. Good luck, I think you'll find that the students will learn a lot from this type of a lesson.

It is wonderful that you have the foresight to teach such a relevant issue. There is a splendid fundraiser(possible class project?)called, I believe, a 'Beggar's Banquet" at which all guests pay the same fee for dinner. They are randomly classified in one of three classes, according to the world population percentage per capita income. In short, the top tier, the middle, the lower, with a very small minority at the top. These folks get a lavish meal in a VIP area, are waited on, have china, linen, etc. The second tier get a modest meal on benches/tables. The masses get half a bowl of rice. Watch and learn the reactions of every individual, each having paid the same price. Perhaps it would complement the Monopoly variation. Should be able to dogpile it...good luck. Also, the cycle of poverty often follows the cycle of teen motherhood; I cannot tell you how many twenty-something grandmothers I have met.

Does anyone know how to play the game Starpower? It is a simulation game involving squares,triangles, and circles. The teachers gives points to the shapes but the shapes that get tthe least amount of points becomes angry and try to revolt. The teacher explains this is how many revolutions start.

try charles murray's "the bell curve"
explains this concept very well
though i suspect not in the way you would hope it would come out.
good luck