~Lesson Activities~
Participants, please complete activity #5 and at least 2 other activities of your choice.
*Please note, this is a self paced project that is on going.
*Please note, this is a self paced project that is on going.
1. An Honest Survey
Have your students answer the survey question based on their previous experiences with the homeless- NOT what they would "like" to do, but rather, how they have responded the last time the encountered a homeless person asking for money.
Survey: http://www.learnmyself.com/poll65475xb9BD44Be
2. KWS Chart (Language Arts)
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/kws.pdf
A. Use the chart provided (link) to flush out ideas about homelessness.
B. Start by brainstorming about what you already KNOW about homelessness and write those thoughts in the first column.
C. Reflect on how much you know or maybe don't know about homelessness. Next move on to the middle column and list what you would like to learn about homelessness. This could include more specific details such as questions about the homeless, or even statistics about a region you would like to focus on homelessness.
D. Now based on your answers to the first two columns, what are some possible solutions to the problem of homelessness. Write your thoughts in the last column.
E. Follow up by watching a video of your choice before continuing to the next activity.
B. Start by brainstorming about what you already KNOW about homelessness and write those thoughts in the first column.
C. Reflect on how much you know or maybe don't know about homelessness. Next move on to the middle column and list what you would like to learn about homelessness. This could include more specific details such as questions about the homeless, or even statistics about a region you would like to focus on homelessness.
D. Now based on your answers to the first two columns, what are some possible solutions to the problem of homelessness. Write your thoughts in the last column.
E. Follow up by watching a video of your choice before continuing to the next activity.
3. Read... (Language Arts)
Choose one of the following books about Homelessness to read either to your class or individually. Reflect on the characters thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and situations throughout the book in Our Live Journal.
Fly Away Home By Eve Bunting (Picture Book)
("Reading Rainbow" Lesson Plan for further extension: http://www.shopgpn.com/guides/rr/116.pdf)
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson (Picture Book)
Where Can I Build My Volcano by Pat Van Doren (Picture Book)
Mr. Bow Tie by Karen Barbour (Picture Book)
How to Steal a Dog By Barbra O'Connor
Free on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=C5R0hQLfhKUC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen (paperback)
Free on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=uK-iM6UUte8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Monkey Island by Paula Fox (paperback)
Fly Away Home By Eve Bunting (Picture Book)
("Reading Rainbow" Lesson Plan for further extension: http://www.shopgpn.com/guides/rr/116.pdf)
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson (Picture Book)
Where Can I Build My Volcano by Pat Van Doren (Picture Book)
Mr. Bow Tie by Karen Barbour (Picture Book)
How to Steal a Dog By Barbra O'Connor
Free on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=C5R0hQLfhKUC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen (paperback)
Free on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=uK-iM6UUte8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Monkey Island by Paula Fox (paperback)
4. What Would I do Without.... ? (Language Arts)
Use two Word Webs (link below) per student to think about all the things we use on a daily basis. Use one Word Web to describe all the items you NEED every day and use the second Word Web to describe all the items that you WANT every day (these are items that aren't necessarily necessities to survive, like your cell phone).
Once you have your two lists complete, start by looking at your WANT list. Choose one item from this list and go 24 hours without using this item at all. Reflect on this experience in Our Live Journal.
Now look at your NEED list. Choose one item from this list and go 24 hours without using this item at all. Again, reflect on this experience in Our Live Journal.
*Each reflection should include:
-A description of the items you went 24 hours without using
-Why you chose those items
-Were there any negative effects of living without these items?
-Were there any positive effects of living without these items?
-What did you learn?
Word Web: http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/cluster.pdf
Once you have your two lists complete, start by looking at your WANT list. Choose one item from this list and go 24 hours without using this item at all. Reflect on this experience in Our Live Journal.
Now look at your NEED list. Choose one item from this list and go 24 hours without using this item at all. Again, reflect on this experience in Our Live Journal.
*Each reflection should include:
-A description of the items you went 24 hours without using
-Why you chose those items
-Were there any negative effects of living without these items?
-Were there any positive effects of living without these items?
-What did you learn?
Word Web: http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/cluster.pdf
5. **Require Research** (Language Arts, Social Studies)
A. Each student will select a city or state to research the topic of homelessness in their selected area. Every student needs to choose a different region within their country.
B. Once a region is selected, use the Resources, as well as the Internet, to investigating your regions facts and statistics about the homeless population. Save your research as a Word document so you can refer to it later. (** Please remember to site ALL your resources!!**)
C. Your research should include:
- Who makes up the homeless population in your region? (Men, women, families?)
- What are the top 3 reasons why these people are homeless?
- What are some challenges of being homeless?
- What is your selected region doing about the homeless problem? What programs are offered?
- What can you do to help the homeless?
D. As you researching please make at least 3 posts that include facts, statistics, and thoughts about your research in our Community Forum under "Homeless Research." You may also respond to others postings as well.
E. Research the local homeless shelters and/or homeless organizations located in your selected region. Post all of their addresses in our Community Forum under "Homeless Organizations." Also please choose 1 shelter or organization and answer the questions below in our Community Forum under "Homeless Organizations" as well.
- Who are they?
- Where are they located?
- What year were they established?
- What is their main goal?
- Who do they serve and how do they serve them?
- What is this organization or shelter in need of in order meet their goals?
F. Once all your research is complete, make a Powerpoint Presentation summarizing all your findings of sections C & E above, along with at least 1 picture and a Work Sited page.
G. Please email your Powerpoint Presentation to: [email protected] for submission and possible display on our website.
B. Once a region is selected, use the Resources, as well as the Internet, to investigating your regions facts and statistics about the homeless population. Save your research as a Word document so you can refer to it later. (** Please remember to site ALL your resources!!**)
C. Your research should include:
- Who makes up the homeless population in your region? (Men, women, families?)
- What are the top 3 reasons why these people are homeless?
- What are some challenges of being homeless?
- What is your selected region doing about the homeless problem? What programs are offered?
- What can you do to help the homeless?
D. As you researching please make at least 3 posts that include facts, statistics, and thoughts about your research in our Community Forum under "Homeless Research." You may also respond to others postings as well.
E. Research the local homeless shelters and/or homeless organizations located in your selected region. Post all of their addresses in our Community Forum under "Homeless Organizations." Also please choose 1 shelter or organization and answer the questions below in our Community Forum under "Homeless Organizations" as well.
- Who are they?
- Where are they located?
- What year were they established?
- What is their main goal?
- Who do they serve and how do they serve them?
- What is this organization or shelter in need of in order meet their goals?
F. Once all your research is complete, make a Powerpoint Presentation summarizing all your findings of sections C & E above, along with at least 1 picture and a Work Sited page.
G. Please email your Powerpoint Presentation to: [email protected] for submission and possible display on our website.
6. Graphs and Charts (Math)
With all the research students will be doing about a homeless population in a selected region, graphs and charts are a great way to organize as well as visualize much of student findings.
Students have a choice of several types of graphs and charts to display their information. Have students pick at least one from type of graph or chart to include in their Powerpoint presentation. Some suggestions are listed below:
-Circle graph
-Bar graph
-Picture graph
-Histogram
-Line graph
Here is a great resource:
http://www.k12station.com/k12link_library.html?subject=NM&sub_cat=105019&final=105021
Students have a choice of several types of graphs and charts to display their information. Have students pick at least one from type of graph or chart to include in their Powerpoint presentation. Some suggestions are listed below:
-Circle graph
-Bar graph
-Picture graph
-Histogram
-Line graph
Here is a great resource:
http://www.k12station.com/k12link_library.html?subject=NM&sub_cat=105019&final=105021
7. Write a Letter (Language Arts, Social Studies)
Write a one page letter to your selected region's State Congressman advocating for the homeless in your selected area. List facts and statistics you have discovered in your research.
How to write a letter to an elected official:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Write_Letters_Elected0962932964.htm
Post your finished letter in our Community Forum under "Our Letters" as well as submit it via email to [email protected] . You may choose to only post your letters or submit them to your region's State Congressman.
(Teachers- you may take this opportunity to review our countries system of democracy with your students).
How to write a letter to an elected official:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Write_Letters_Elected0962932964.htm
Post your finished letter in our Community Forum under "Our Letters" as well as submit it via email to [email protected] . You may choose to only post your letters or submit them to your region's State Congressman.
(Teachers- you may take this opportunity to review our countries system of democracy with your students).
8. What is the McKinney Vento Act? (Social Studies)
Research the "McKinney Vento Act" and "Charlie's Bill" (see "Resource" page) and respond to the questions below in Our Live Journal as well as include your response in an email to [email protected].
- What is this Act?
- What does "Charlie's Bill" have to do with it?
- What rights does it provide?
- Why is it important?
- What is this Act?
- What does "Charlie's Bill" have to do with it?
- What rights does it provide?
- Why is it important?
9. Debate! (Social Studies)
To introduce the debate, start with "Four Corners." Post 4 signs in 4 corners of the room: Agree, Strongly Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree. Ask the list of questions below and have students take a stance on each question.
Questions:
1. People choose to be homeless
2. There is no solution for homelessness
3. Homeless people are an example of lazy people who have made a series of bad decisions.
4. There's no point to helping a homeless person because they just want to be homeless.
5. Homeless people could benefit society.
6. Homeless people have just fallen on hard times.
Now divide the class into to teams. One team advocates for allowing "tent cities" for the homeless in their community and the other team represents the City Counsel who are against homeless "tent cities." Each team needs to research arguments to support their side of the argument.
Here is a great resource for educational debates:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson304b.shtml
After allotting enough time for research, one to two weeks, hold a live classroom debate and if possible, include a video of your debate to our site. This class debate will be practice debate.
The second debate (assuming we have enough participants) will be over a live web camera using a program such as "Skype" with another class who is also debating the same topic. This time rather than debating against the fellow students, you will debate against another group in another class somewhere in our country. Once enough students are participating, the project host will contact classroom teachers via email to organize the debate details.
10. Art and Drama (The Arts)
If you have artist among your students, have students reflect on their thoughts of one of the books listed above (activity # 2), the emotions of the characters, or their personal experience of living without a daily need from activity # 3 in a drawing, painting, song, rap, modern dance, or skit. Please submit these creations to [email protected] for display on our website.
11. Design an Informational Flyer (Language Arts, Art)
Design an informational flyer providing a list of helpful resources for the homeless located in your selected area of research.
Flyer should include:
-Names of any organizations or shelters
-Organizations or shelters contact information
-Any other items such as local food banks or donation centers
-A graphic or picture
Please submit these creations to [email protected]
You can also design this flyer digitally by using Glogster. Once your digital flyer is complete, please email the link to your flyer to the above address.
Flyer should include:
-Names of any organizations or shelters
-Organizations or shelters contact information
-Any other items such as local food banks or donation centers
-A graphic or picture
Please submit these creations to [email protected]
You can also design this flyer digitally by using Glogster. Once your digital flyer is complete, please email the link to your flyer to the above address.