Unit Plan Title: Connecting Students to SDG 1: No Poverty Through Science and Language Arts

Unit Description: In this unit, students will learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty. They will be tasked with analyzing current poverty statistics, thinking critically about poverty, and sharing their ideas about poverty through a variety of writing and reflective activities. Throughout this process, students will gain an understanding of our world’s complex economic, social, and political systems that contribute to the global poverty crisis. Through science and language arts, students will gain the tools to evaluate, analyze and respond to the reality of poverty in the world.

Grade Level: 4th Grade

Timeframe: 5 Weeks

List of Essential Questions:

1. What is poverty?
2. How does poverty impact communities around the world?
3. What can we do to help alleviate poverty?

List of Objectives and Outcomes:

1. Students will be able to describe poverty with an understanding of how it impacts communities.
2. Students will explore and analyze current poverty statistics.
3. Students will gain an understanding of our world’s complex economic, social and political systems that contribute to the global poverty crisis.
4. Students will apply their knowledge through research and writing projects.
5. Students will identify and discuss potential solutions to alleviate poverty.

Assessments: Assessments will consist of individual/group presentations, written projects, and class discussions.

Materials Needed:

• Internet access
• Computers/ Laptops
• Projector
• Print materials
• Writing materials

Optional Technology: Video Conferences with author who wrote about the global poverty crisis

Activities:

• Introduce students to SDG 1: No Poverty through a video and discussion.
• Have students conduct research to gather current poverty statistics.
• Create a poster visual displaying poverty statistics gathered, then have students present their findings to the class.
• Lead a class discussion to identify and analyze the various causes of poverty.
• Divide the class into small groups, and have them create a list of possible solutions to alleviate poverty.
• Have each group present their solutions to the class for review and evaluation.
• Provide each student with a writing prompt about poverty to complete in response to their findings.
• Have students create a class project that focuses on SDG 1. This project can be a research paper, documentary, etc.
• Have a wrap up discussion where students can discuss how they can continue to support SDG 1 in their own lives and communities.
• Celebrate the completion of the unit with a class celebration.