These activities for leading class discussions surrounding poverty are very popular during Poverty in America Awareness Month, which is January. They provide engaging learning experiences to help you recognize this special month with your class. Check out all of the Poverty in America Awareness Month activities below!
5 Poverty in America Awareness Month Activities
Below are our favorite Poverty in America Awareness Month activities.
1. A Bike Like Sergio’s Book Companion
In this story, the main character, Ruben, really wants a bike. Everyone else has a bike, but Ruben’s family can’t afford one. One day in the grocery store, Ruben sees a woman drop money. He picks it up and puts it in his pocket, thinking that it is just one dollar. However, when he gets home he discovers that it is really $100! He decides to keep the money a secret and buy a bike. When Ruben gets home from school the next day, he thinks that he lost the money! He is very upset and searches everywhere. He is relieved when he finds it. The next day, he goes to the grocery store for his mom and sees the woman who dropped the money. Ruben remembers how he felt when he lost the money and returns it to her. Ruben is proud of himself for doing the right thing. Learn more about this book and related A Bike Like Sergio’s book companion in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
2. Last Stop on Market Street Book Companion
In this story, CJ and his Nana ride bus to get around their town. CJ enjoys his bus ride on most days. He does start to question his Nana about why they have to ride the bus, wait in the rain, why they do not have a car, and why they always need to visit with the passengers on the bus. CJ asks many questions and Nana is always happy to answer him with an honest response. He wondered how his Nan always found beautiful where he never even thought to look. CJ realizes that his Nana helps him see the beauty in all they do and he finally realizes that Nana knows best! Learn more about this book and related Last Stop on Market Street book companion in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
3. Maddi’s Fridge Book Companion
Maddi and Sofia are great friends. They stayed at the playground as the shadows lengthened, swinging, sliding, and climbing on the rock wall. One day, Sofia was hungry and ran up Maddi’s apartment stairs to open the refrigerator… but there was only a bottle of milk inside. Sofia made a promise to Maddi saying that she would not tell anyone that her family did not have enough money for groceries. Each night at her own house, she thought about how she was eating delicious, nutritious meals while her friend was having bread and milk. Learn more about this book and related Maddi’s Fridge book companion in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
4. Those Shoes Book Companion
Everyone in Jeremy’s class is getting new high-top sneakers, and he really wants a pair. His grandma says the new shoes are a want, not a need. One day at school, Jeremy’s shoes fall apart and he must wear an old velcro pair from the guidance counselor. When he returns to class, everyone except Antonio laughs. Grandma saved up some money and took Jeremy to the shoe store to see if they could afford them. Unfortunately, they were too expensive so they decide to look at thrift shops. In the window of the third thrift store, Jeremy sees the shoes he wants! When he tries them on, they’re too small. Even though they hurt his feet, he buys them anyway. The shoes are so small that they are too uncomfortable to wear. Jeremy notices Antonio’s shoes are falling apart, and smaller than his. He gives Antonio the new pair of shoes he bought that were too small. Learn more about this book and related Those Shoes book companion in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
5. Thank You, Omu! Book Companion
This story is about a woman named Omu who makes a big delicious pot of thick red stew to have for dinner and she thinks it will be the most delicious dinner she has ever had. The smell of her delicious stew is carried out of her window and down to the people below. Many people smell the stew from out her window and go to tell her how delicious it smells. Omu offers the stews to people without them asking until there isn’t any stew left. Then Omu hears a knock at her door and all the people that Omu gave stew to have brought something for dinner for her. They have a big feast together and Omu says it is the best dinner she has ever had. Learn more about this book and Thank You, Omu! book companion in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
In closing, we hope you found this list of Poverty in America Awareness Month qctivities helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these other related posts:
