Putting a Face on Poverty

Hunger has its place in North American schools.

Poverty exists in schools. Although it can sometimes be hidden, many children in North America go to school hungry or without a lunch. It’s a complex and emotional issue, so how do we respond to the needs of those living in poverty while creating a valuable learning experience for all our students?

Social studies curricula often include the broad goal of “developing the habits of the mind,” considered essential for responsible citizenship. It includes concepts such as respect, tolerance and the crucial building block: perspective taking. But these concepts are not typical topics for units of study. Instead, they are taught through modeling, openly discussing difficult or sensitive topics and putting a face on issues through the types of materials we present. 

A first step can be to reflect on our own feelings, impressions and assumptions about poverty. How do we respond to current events stories involving poverty? Do our questions or comments reflect open-mindedness?  

Picture books can introduce the complexities of poverty and put a face on the issue. Younger students naturally gravitate toward fictional stories, but even older students enjoy the chance to be read to again. It creates a safe, fictional place to start a complex discussion.

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting (1991) is a great picture book that deals with the issue of poverty. The story is about a boy and his father who secretly live in an airport. It describes how they survived and how they connected with others in the airport, creating a community. The story also challenges popular assumptions about homelessness—the father works but still cannot afford a home, offering students a unique perspective on poverty, one which they may not have seen before. 

When faces are put to an issue, it personalizes it for students and presents the opportunity to consider multiple points of view. The discussions that follow set the stage for students to consider if and how they can help. 

Halloween for Hunger offers a viable outlet for students to take action. Through the campaign, students collect food instead of candy. After Halloween, teachers can extend the learning by prompting students to explore local food banks as they decide where to donate the food items. From there, teachers can plan a field trip to deliver the collected goods and ask students to write stories based on their experiences. This can combine valuable learning, both in and outside the classroom.

Best wishes,
Catherine McCauley, M.Ed.
Director of Teacher Development

Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network.