In a dynamic 7th grade Social Studies classroom, students recently completed a powerful unit focused on global issues, specifically rural poverty in Guatemala and Malawi. Centered around the compelling question, “How do people use their hearts and minds to make choices when they encounter challenges and opportunities?”, the unit aimed to build empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of global interconnectedness.
Students engaged with the documentary "Living on One Dollar", which follows the lives of four young men experiencing life in rural Guatemala. This eye-opening film brought real-world perspectives into the classroom and sparked important conversations about the day-to-day decisions people make when living in poverty. To deepen the learning experience, students compared the documentary with the book "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind", which tells the story of William Kamkwamba’s innovation and resilience in rural Malawi.
The unit included a range of hands-on activities: doodle notes where students journaled thoughts and reflections, map work to understand geographic challenges, and research on microfinance and schooling in rural areas. Students learned that for many families in these rural areas, sending a child to school means making significant sacrifices—like cutting back on meals or other basic needs—because they understand the long-term value of learning. For their final project, students investigated various nonprofit organizations addressing poverty and made thoughtful decisions about where they would donate money and why.
By the end of the unit, students walked away with more than just academic knowledge—they gained a greater sense of global citizenship and the importance of using both their hearts and minds to make meaningful choices in a complex world.