ELA+Social+Justice+Part+2-2

Part 2 Assignment 2: Poverty and Racism Time needed: One 90 minute Project block

Key Idea: Considering the link between poverty and racism

Procedure:

The teacher will begin class by introducing the definitions for both poverty and racism, as defined by the unit. The class will then read “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, available here:

http://cai.ucdavis.edu/gender/thelesson.html

The teacher will then discuss with the class the following questions:


 * What separates Miss Moore from the rest of the community?
 * Why does the narrator resent Miss Moore so much?
 * What role does money play in this story’s society?

The teacher will then separate the class into small groups and have each discuss one of the following questions:

__Group 1__: What is the significance of names in determining our identity in society? __Group 2__: Sugar states “Equal chance to pursue happiness means an equal crack at the dough, don't it?” Is this true? Why or why not? __Group 3__: Imagine you were Miss Moore. Where else could you take these children to teach them lessons about the fairness of life? __Group 4__: How are poverty and racism interrelated (or connected)?

The individual groups will then report back to the whole group with their answers for discussion.

Students will then transition back to individual work and write a brief journal detailing their own experiences with Poverty and Racism.