Latin America Inequality Problems Lesson Plan

Lesson Name: Inequality matters                             Date:

Course: World Cultures                           Unit: Latin America                         Teacher: Mike Stauffer

State Standards: 7.3WA

Enduring understandings: People can go from poverty to wealth, or vice-versa, but it is the exception to the rule. Inequality can be measured by how much the richest 10% of a population make as compared to poorest 10%

Content: Gini coeficient Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita GDP The American Dream (i.e social mobility)

Introduction: Review: Current Event:  Hook/Reactivation: Bring candy to class. Distribute very unevenly. Two students get half the candy, the other have to split the rest. What is the problem with this? Essential Question: Why do some people have more than others? Materials/resources:

Body: Discussion: Why is inequality a problem? Is inequality a problem in America? Show video http://vimeo.com/57082399 Lecture: Measuring inequality GDP Per Capita GDP Gini Coefficient 0 means total equality 1 means total inequality Social Mobility Show how to use CIA World Factbook Materials/resources: “The Great Divide” http://www.globalpost.com/special-reports/global-income-inequality-great-divide-globalpost CIA World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html

Conclusion: Activity: Look up which countries around the world have the worst inequality on CIA World Factbook. List the top 10. Assessment: Can they find list of worst inequality online? Homework: Count how many of the countries in Latin America fall in the top 20 for worst inequality. Materials/resources:

Accommodations for special needs: Modify their homework. They should look up the Gini Coefficient for Brazil and say whether it is good or bad.

Reflections/comments: