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This is a video that has kids who share what poverty means to them. They show many clips of many kids who undergo situations that they speak on briefly.

I would use this videoclip as an introduction to poverty, probably coupled with a book soon afterward. I would have students state what they think poverty is before and after watching this clip, then I would move into literature such as the ones on this padlet.

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This picture book shows multiculturalism through many different depictions of children from different races. They are at an urban school and there is a boy who wants the same shoes as his friends in class. Unfortunately, his grandmother cannot afford the shoes that the boy wants. The grandmother explains wants vs. needs to the boy. The boy has to wear shoes that are too small and too big for him. At the end, the boy meets a friend who gives him the shoes he wanted.

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I would love to use this book with an urban classroom. I worked in a second grade class in the city of Buffalo for my student teaching - this book would have been great to detail the difference between wants and needs. I volunteer a lot in the city of Schenectady, and it is true, generally speaking, that many of the parents have spending priorities that keep them in poverty - such as valuing shoes above saving/necessities. This book could be coupled with a rich discussion about needs vs. wants.

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people & places - united states - african american

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children's / teenage fiction & true stories

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juvenile fiction / family / general (see also headings under social themes)

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juvenile fiction / people & places / united states / african american

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juvenile fiction / social themes / emotions & feelings

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juvenile fiction / social themes / homelessness & poverty

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juvenile fiction / social themes / peer pressure

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juvenile fiction/social themes - peer pressure

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juvenile fiction/social themes - values & virtues

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people & places - united states - african american

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childrens books by age 5-8;books for 7 year old girls;books for 6 year old girls;kids books ages 6-8;books for kids 5-7;books for 6 year old boys;books for 5 year old girls;books for 5 year old boys;books for 7 year old boys;books for 8 year old girls;kids books ages 4 8;books for 8 year old boys;african american children's books;multicultural children's books;diversity books for kids;diverse childrens books;picture books;friendship;picture book;family;animals;chapter books;nature;school

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friendship; family; books for kids 5-7; childrens books by age 5-8; kids books ages 4 8; books for 8 year old girls; books for 8 year old boys; books for 7 year old girls; books for 6 year old boys; books for 7 year old boys; books for 6 year old girls; books for 5 year old boys; books for 5 year old girls; kids books ages 6-8; picture books; african american children's books; multicultural children's books; diversity books for kids; diverse childrens books; picture book; animals; chapter books; nature; school

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juvenile fiction / family / general (see also headings under social themes)

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juvenile fiction / people & places / united states / african american

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juvenile fiction / social themes / emotions & feelings

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juvenile fiction / social themes / homelessness & poverty

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juvenile fiction / social themes / peer pressure

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juvenile fiction/social themes - peer pressure

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juvenile fiction/social themes - values & virtues

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children's / teenage fiction & true stories

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"In this witty, wise picture book, Boelts presents a kid's-eye view of a consumer fad that rages through school at gale force." - BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS (starred review)All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be we...

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Dear Mr. Rosenwald by Carole Boston Weatherford

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Dear Mr. Rosenwald by Carole Boston Weatherford

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This is a picture book that details the work of Julius Rosenwald who gave millions of dollars to be used to build schools for poor black communities. The book looks through the eyes of a ten year old Ovella, who is part of a family that picks cotton and goes to a one room school house. Additionally, at the end of the picture book, there is a author's note that tells about the history related to the historical fiction portrayal.

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I might use this book to help teach students about historical fiction. I would have students research the event and then show which parts of this picture book were fiction and which were based on real facts. You could have students create powerpoint presentations to detail the differences in groups.

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Dear Mr. Rosenwald
~ Carole Boston Weatherford (author) More about this product

Price | $16.99

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This is a picture book for elementary students about a child named Maddi who does not have that much food in her fridge. Maddi wants her friend, Sofia, to keep it a secret and Sofia agrees to do so. However, Sofia is worried about Maddi's empty fridge so she tells her mother about it. Together, they go to the store and get Maddi some food for her fridge.

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This book is great for teaching students about helping people in need in a way that is not demeaning. I would have students discuss ways they can help their friends and families and perhaps have students place their ideas on a class padlet.

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Lois Brandt (Author), Vin Vogel (Author)

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Maddi’s Fridge [Brandt, Lois, Vogel, Vin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Maddi’s Fridge

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It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach

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It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach

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This picture book is about a family who lives in a single-room hut. The cool part about this story is that it is in fact a Yiddish folk tale that was passed down orally for generations. The book does a nice job detailing the lives of people within the Jewish community and also takes a look at the poor lives of this family. The family has a lot of struggles because of their poverty, including a lot of fighting and bickering. When the husband of the family consults the local Rabbi for advice, his life continues to go down hill, hence the catch phrase found in the title, "It could always be worse." The book has a humorous tone that highlights turmoil through a lighthearted lens.

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I would have students create a website for this book with advice for the man and his family. I would put them in the shoes of the Rabbi and have students, in groups, come up with a multi-modal website with various suggestions for the man and his family using www.weebly.com website creator.

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It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale (Michael Di Capua Books)

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It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale (Michael Di Capua Books)
Product by Square Fish ~ Margot Zemach (author) More about this product

List Price: | $8.99
Price: | $7.46
You Save: | $1.53 (17%)

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This is a tale about a boy and his father who live in an airport. The picture book is interesting because the boy himself details the realities he faces day-to-day as the duo tries not to get caught. The illustrations in this picture book are great because they align with the text as they show the perspective of the little boy. The story shows hopefullness as the little boy meets a friend Denny. The little boy and Denny mutually offer a place to stay if they find a home. The book highlights the seriousness of the homelessness situation, as the little boy's dad tells the little boy that he is going to go to school and they will figure out how to get them there.

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I would have students complete a similarities and differences graphic organizer between their life and the little boy's life. The students would share their results with their group and discuss the similarities and differences.

I've attached a youtube video of someone reading this book, because I believe it would increase engagement with the students to watch the book being read on a screen, especially with such a serious topic.

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"Fly Away Home" by Eve Bunting Digital Story

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Can't Get There From Here by Todd Strasser

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Can't Get There From Here by Todd Strasser

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This is a chapter book that deals quite directly with the topic of homeless youth. In the book, the main character Maybe is kicked out of her house by a mother who is abusive. Wandering the New York streets by herself, she comes across a group of teens similar to herself and her situation. This book exposes some of the harsh truths of teen homelessness - just trying to get by and finding little simple luxuries along the way (living for the moments people are kind!) Will Maybe find herself in a good home, or continuously wandering the streets?

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This book is open and raw. That being said, I might use this book in an emotional/behavioral setting to talk to youth directly about the different trials related to teen homelessness. I would have students use post-it notes to mark sections that were shocking. I would periodically allow the students to talk in groups, as well as whole group, about the shocking parts of the story.

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simon & schuster books for young readers

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children's / teenage fiction & true stories

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juvenile fiction / social themes / drugs

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juvenile fiction / social themes / homelessness & poverty

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juvenile fiction / social themes / runaways

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juvenile fiction/social themes - homelessness & poverty

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juvenile fiction/social themes - runaways

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"A powerful and disturbing look at the downward spiral of despair that remains too common for too many teens (School Library Journal)."Her street name is Maybe. She lives with a tribe of homeless teens-runaways and throwaways, kids who have no place to go other than the cold cit...

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Can't Get There from Here
~ Todd Strasser (author) More about this product

List Price: | $8.99
Price: | $6.88
You Save: | $2.11 (23%)

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The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Carlson

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The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Carlson

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This is another heartwarming story about a man, Armand, who lives underneath a bridge. This is an interesting tale because Armand enjoys his life living underneath his bridge. Then, just before Christmas, a family meets Armand who is in need of shelter. The family is made of a mother and three small children. Armand finds himself allowing them to stay underneath the bridge with him, welcoming them into his life and also welcoming the responsibility of helping care for the family that he did not necessary wish upon himself in the beginning of the book.

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I would definitely do a character analysis of Armand, detailing his changing characterization throughout the book. It would be interesting to do character x-rays during the beginning, middle, and end of this book. Students can discuss how the character of Armand changes and give textual/pictorial evidence to support their findings.

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Natalie Savage Carlson (Author), Garth Williams (Illustrator)

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The Family Under the Bridge: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

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The Family Under the Bridge: A Newbery Honor Award Winner [Carlson, Natalie Savage, Williams, Garth] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Family Under the Bridge: A Newbery Honor Award Winner