A Place at the Table
This is a reusable learning object that has been created to teach
students about the 2012 recommitment by the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops to address poverty concerns based on our call
to action in the name of social justice.
There are three assignments to complete and a final presentation
based on the bishops’ call to action.
To navigate this RLO you will need to reach the appropriate slide
by following directions on the slide or by clicking on any
underlined term. The bread and wine icon found on the bottom
right of each page will return you to the previous slide.
Begin here to learn about the bishops’ letter on poverty and the
equitable distribution of the resources God has provided.
Selected References & Learning Objectives
Learn about the USCCB

Find out about your project based on the letter

A Place at the Table
A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and
to Respect the Dignity of All God’s Children
Read the letter
Return to Opening
A Place at the Table Project
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Examples of Videos from the USCCB addressing poverty in America
Understanding the document:
Why a table?
Why is it our mission?
Project Directions:
A Response to the Bishops’ pastoral letter on poverty and justice.
Click icon to return to last page
Stories….
Stories about the Church’s mission to end poverty
The Story of Mary
Tour Poverty USA
The Poverty Line
A Table
• A table is where people come together for
food. For many, there is not enough food
and, in some cases, no table at all.
• A table is where people meet to make
decisions—in neighborhoods, nations, and
the global community. Many people have no
place at the table. Their voices and needs
are ignored or dismissed.
-A Place at the Table (USCCB, 2012)
A Mission
• Our faith calls us to it.
• Our nation needs it.
• Our world requires it.
• Our salvation demands it.
• Our actions can make a difference.
-A Place at the Table (USCCB, 2012)
U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops
• About the USCCB
• The Mission of the USCCB
What is the USCCB?
• The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB) is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United
States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise
certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian
faithful of the United States. The purpose of the
Conference is to promote the greater good which the
Church offers humankind, especially through forms
and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to
the circumstances of time and place. This purpose is
drawn from the universal law of the Church and
applies to the episcopal conferences which are
established all over the world for the same purpose.
-from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website
Mission of the USCCB
Project Directions
Your group is part of a special task force that has
been been put together by the Archdiocese of
Chicago’s Mission Program. You have been
asked to help them to decide how to direct
resources to those in need.
Project Objective:
Your goal is to identify a domestic or global area
of concern, and to create a 1 to 2 minute
advertisement to convince the mission program to
provide resources for that particular area and
provide ways that we can help to address the
problem.
Project Rubric
Domestic Poverty
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/humanlife-and-dignity/poverty/domestic/
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/
U.S. anti-poverty
organizations:http://results.techriver.net/websit
e/article.asp?id=1166
Directions for 1-minute advertisement
Global Poverty
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/humanlife-and-dignity/poverty/global/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/rankorder/rankorderguide.html
International anti-poverty
organizations:http://results.techriver.net/website/a
rticle.asp?id=1165
Directions for 1-minute advertisement
Advertisement
Your group will choose a particular area on which to focus. Use information
from the websites to help you to create your 1 to 2-minute presentation with
iMovie or PowerPoint. Please use charts and statistics to support your
choice.
The presentation will be divided into three parts:
*What’s what? & Say what? Provide factual information and
a glossary of at least 5 words based on associated vocabulary
*So what? Why is this so important in light of the
pastoral letter? What are the
connections to the bishops’ letter?
*Now what? Identify ways to address the problem or create
solutions.
There are three roles for members of your groups and one member of your
group must be designated for each of the roles, but all members work
together on research.
Project Roles
Information Expert is in charge of organizing the
collected information for use in the presentation. Must
include citations (use EasyBib).
Project Designer is in charge of designing the iMovie or
PowerPoint presentation. Must include a storyboard!
Producer has responsibility for final presentation.
Collects project plan and reflections. Responsible for
turning in all data, zipping file and putting it in group
shared folder.
All members of the group are responsible for the
research and technical aspects of the production.
RUBRIC
10 pts.
9 pts.
8pts.
6.5 pts.
Clearly identifies area of
concern and includes at
least 4 different types of
graphics (charts, graphs,
artwork, photos, videos)
Clearly identifies area of
concern and includes at
least 3 different types of
graphics.
Area of concern is
identified and/or 2
different types of graphics
are included
No area of concern is
identified.
1 or fewer graphics are
included.
Does an exceptional job of
supporting position with
multiple sources of data to
encourage committee to
provide resources.
Clearly supports position
with data to encourage
committee to provide
resources.
Weak support is given
using some data.
Little or no support for
position. No reliable data
is used.
QUALITY OF
Presentation
Overall quality is
exceptional. Well-edited,
cohesive, no errors in
grammar, spelling or
language.
3 or fewer errors. Overall
quality is very good.
4 or more errors in
grammar, spelling or
language.
Acceptable overall quality
Poorly developed
presentation.
TEAMWORK
Exceptional teamwork; all
students work together
well. Individual roles are
carried out expertly.
Everyone’s voice is heard.
Teamwork is apparent in
most cases. Individual
roles seem to be carried
out well. Everyone’s voice
is heard.
Somewhat lacking in
teamwork. Your individual
role was poorly carried
out. Some members are
left out.
Little or no teamwork used
in the creation of this
presentation.
REFLECTION
Very thoughtful and
complete
Presents some thoughtful
perspectives.
Reflection is inadequate or
incomplete.
Reflection is missing or
very inadequate.
REQUIRED
Elements
(What’s what?)
SUPPORTS
Position
(So what?)
(Now what?)
Assignments to
complete:
• Assignment #1 – Understanding the document
• Assignment #2 – Using the websites
• Assignment #3 – Facts, Ideas, and Actions
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to analyze and make inferences about the content of a
pastoral letter. (Religion standards: 8.03.07, 8.03.08, 8.03.10, 8.03.13)
Students will be able to apply an understanding of Catholic Social Teaching to
identify solutions to issues of poverty and inequity. (Religion standards: 8.03.14,
8.03.20, 8.03.21)
Students will be able to construct knowledge about poverty and solutions using
technology. (NETS*S standards: 1a, 1b, 1c)
Students will be able to work collaboratively to communicate ideas and
information about issues of poverty. (NETS*S standards: 2a, 2d)
Students will be able to plan, conduct research and develop solutions using
digital tools and resources to issues of poverty. (NETS*S standards: 3a, 3b, 3c,
3d)
Students will be able to identify, evaluate and present data to support an opinion
about poverty concerns and solutions. (NETS*S standards: 4a, 4b, 4c)
References
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (2012).
http://www.usccb.org/about
Available at:
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (2002). A Place at the Table: A
Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and Respect the Dignity of
Human Life. Available at: http://www.usccb.org/issues-andaction/human-life-and-dignity/poverty/place-at-the-table.cfm
• The Archdiocese of Chicago Religion Curriculum. Available at:
http://schools.archchicago.org/Academics/Curriculum/Religion/
• International Society for Technology in Education:
ISTE-NETS standards. Available at: http://www.iste.org/STANDARDS