Global Citizenship
Looking at Poverty & Inequality around the Globe
from a Canadian
Through quotes, literature & the arts; students explore the meaning behind the
label of being Rich & Poor.
Lesson Plan:
5 Lessons ( 2 lessons a week for 2.5 weeks)
1 lesson = 60 minutes
Teacher’s Expectations:
For the students to become aware of the dichotomy between the rich and the poor and to gain
personal insight.
Money and material objects are not the only things that have value. People are ‘rich and ‘poor’ in
different ways – in which way is each individual in the classroom ‘rich’ and ‘poor’.
Materials:
Enthusiasm & smiles
The following quote for all students to read.
"Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish been
caught will we realize that we cannot eat money."
- Native American Cree
Lesson Plan
Lesson 1
1. Looking at the quote
The instructor reads the quote.
The class reads it aloud together.
Students are given 5 minutes to think, reflect and discuss the quote amongst themselves.
2. Rich vs. Poor
The instructor divides the board into two. Label one side Rich and the other Poor.
One group at a time, students are asked to come up and write a word that comes to mind when
they think about being rich and one word when they think about being poor.
3. Guided Class Discussion
What does being Rich mean to you? What would you do if you were rich? How rich would you be?
What is a philanthropist? What makes a person poor? Do you know a poor person? Why is that
person poor? Poor = poverty of goods and services, but also poverty of experience, love,
relationships, healthy environment and health.
Homework
4. Web Search activity
Bill Gates http://www3.sympatico.ca/truegrowth/gates1.html
World Philanthropists: http://www.worldphilanthropists.org/
PHILANTHROPY 2004: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_48/b3910401.htm
Lesson 2
5.
Group Discussion
In groups of 5 students are asked to have discussions about the following statements:
a. Many people throughout the world, are both rich and poor.
b. For instance, in Canada a family may have a car, a big home, nice clothes and toys but one
family member may also have asthma, whereas in Brazil a family may not have a car or an
expensive home, toys and clothes but they do have a beautiful, clean environment. (Oxfam)
6. Activity – Class Project
Students are asked to produce two pages to be part of a class book. Each group represents one
chapter. Each chapter has a theme. Students come up with their own theme. (they write it on the
board to avoid theme being duplicated)
Each student writes about their theme (fiction or non fiction) and creates a picture/image to go
with it.
Suggested themes Rich/poor: health, environment, loved ones, economically, animals, culture, independence etc..
Homework Students are given the weekend to complete personal pages
Lesson 3
7. Title Page
As a group, they create a title page collage representing their theme.
Lesson 4
8. Presentation – Prepare
Group prepares their presentations about their theme/chapter.
Lesson 5
9. Group Presentations
Each group presents their chapter in front of the class
Alternate Resources
The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/SelGia.shtml
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/christmas-carol/
Reference
Oxfam Cool Planet for Teachers. Global Citizenship Series Lesson Plans: Lesson # 1 (of 5) Our
Riches. Reg. charity No 202918. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International. Retrieved
September 25 2005 from: http://oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/teachers/globciti/lesson6.htm
Cool Planet found from: http://cide.oise.utoronto.ca/globalcitizenship/intro.pdf
Websites of Interest:
MERLOT: Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching.
http://www.merlot.org/Home.po
The American Form for Global Education
http://www.globaled.org/
EDNA Online: Education Network Australia - Global Education
http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go