Lesson Plans

Objectives

Students become more aware of individual differences in culture, personality, and life styles.

Students learn to evaluate difference sources of information (fiction and nonfiction books and newspaper articles).

Students write thoughtful responses to reading.

Students work collaboratively on projects to help the homeless.

Students apply problem-solving skills and calculation skills

Introduction
Children are naturally compassionate. Their hearts have little armor around them. Their eyes open wide as they hang onto your words that tell of the lives of people, people who hurt, people who need help. They don't think about if they have the time or money, or if the person is deserving of help. They don't worry about safety. They just see a need and they don't think, "Can I help?" -- they know for certain that they must.

Students will share what being homeless means to them. Some have seen homeless on the street corner downtown; some have seen movies, heard stories, the news, or heard parents talking about the homeless. Some have participated in canned food drives or clothing drives at school or at church. They'll eagerly share their stories and images i.e. my mom drops off blankets, how a homeless person looks, what he was doing and how they felt.

Prior Knowledge:
--Why are some people homeless?
--How doe homelessness happen?
--What do you want to find out about homelessness?

Writing Connection
--Write a list of questions you have about homelessness.