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Examining People of Poverty in British Columbia

Upper Intermediate Grades

Learning Outcome: 

• Identify and clarify a problem, issue, or inquiry

Objectives: The student will be able to:

• identify poverty as an issue in British Columbia through music
• research about poverty in British Columbia through the internet
• take notes and summarize their research

Questions Prior to Activity:

• Does anyone know the songwriter Bob Dylan?
• What do you think the song Like a Rollingstone is about?
•  What type of social issue is discussed in the song?
• Are some families less fortunate?

Questions During the Activity:

• How prevalent is poverty in British Columbia?
• What is homelessness?
• How much of a problem is homelessness in British Columbia?

Procedure:

• Discuss the song Like a Rollingstone prior to playing it on guitar (refer to Questions Prior to Activity)
• Teach the children the chorus of the song and then play it
• Have discussion about poverty in British Columbia
• Let the students know they will be researching in groups information about poverty and homelessness in British Columbia on the Internet
• Each student will have to write their notes from the research and then summarize them in two pages.  It is important that they reference their information.
• Ask if they have any questions.  Let the students know they will need paper and a pen.  Form into groups.

Materials:

• Pen
• Paper
• Overhead
• Guitar
• Like a Rollingstone (Transparency and Hand-outs) 
• Computers with internet connection

Closure:

• If there is time, discuss about the information they found

Sponge Activity: Silent reading or homework from other classes

Extension: Present their information next class

Name: __________________

Date: _______________

Student Worksheet

       You are a journalist researching the problem of poverty and homelessness in British Columbia.  There is a lot of information for your article on the Internet with the sources provided below.  Look for information that answer question such as: How prevalent is poverty in British Columbia?  How prevalent is homelessness in our province?  What are some contributing factors to homelessness and poverty?  What are people doing to decrease these issues?  Can you think of some of your own ideas that would help decrease poverty and homelessness in British Columbia?  Your job is to write a two page article summarizing the information you found off the Internet and your own ideas.  Make sure you reference your information and show your gratitude for those that provided it.  Have fun!!!

http://www.povnet.org/

http://www.bctf.bc.ca/Social/poverty/BCCampaign2000/ReportCard.html

http://www.bc.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/surrey/common/poverty.html

http://www.crd.bc.ca/poverty/report.htm

http://www.realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20000215_homeless.htm

http://povnet.web.net/hhnbc.html

http://www.realchangenews.org/pastarticles/features/articles/fea.natives.html

http://www.peopleformentalhealth.com/anita/english/home.htm

http://www.bcss.org/

http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/sep/rd/rd_main.htm

http://www.accessbc.net/

LIKE A ROLLING STONE

{st:Bob Dylan}

[G]Once upon a time, you [Am7]dressed so fine,

[Em7]Threw the bums a dime, [C]in your prime, [D]didn't you?[D]

[G]People call, say "[Am7]Beware, doll, you're [Em7]bound to fall."

You [C]thought they were all [D]kiddin' you.[D]

[C]You used to [D]laugh about         [C]Everybody that was [D]hangin' out,

[C]But now you [Em7]don't [Am7]talk so [G]loud, [C]Now you [Em7]don't [Am7]seem so [G]proud,

[Am]About havin' to be scroungin' your next [D]meal.[D]

Chorus

[D]How does it [G]feel? [C]   [D]           [D]How does it [G]feel.[C][D]

[D]To be on you[G]r own.[C]   [D]           [D]With no direct[G]ion h[C]ome[D].   

[D]A complete unk[G]nown.[C]   [D]          [D]Like a rollin'[G] ston[C]e.[D]

G                               Am

You've gone to the finest schools, alright, Miss Lovely,

Em                  C        D       

But you know you only used to get juiced in it.

G               Am            Em

You never had to live out on the street,

C                               D

But now you're gonna have to get used to it.

C               D                   C           D

You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat

C               Em          Am        G

Who carried on his shoulders a Siamese cat.

C               Em        Am        G

Ain't it hard when you discover that

Am                  D

He really wasn't where it's at

Am                              D   

After he took from you everything he could steal.

Chorus

[D]How does it [G]feel? [C]   [D]           [D]How does it [G]feel.[C][D]

[D]To be on you[G]r own.[C]   [D]           [D]With no direct[G]ion h[C]ome[D].   

[D]A complete unk[G]nown.[C]   [D]          [D]Like a rollin'[G] ston[C]e.[D]

G                           Am

You never turned around to see the frowns

Em                          C                   D

On the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you.

G               Am          Em

Never understood that it ain't no good.

C                                  D 

You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you.

C                   D

You said you'd never compromise

C                           D

With the Mystery Tramp but now you realize

C       Am          G

He's not selling any alibis

C               Em          Am        G

As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes

Am              D

And he says, "Do you want to make a deal?"

Chorus

[D]How does it [G]feel? [C]   [D]           [D]How does it [G]feel.[C][D]

[D]To be on you[G]r own.[C]   [D]           [D]With no direct[G]ion h[C]ome[D].   

[D]A complete unk[G]nown.[C]   [D]          [D]Like a rollin'[G] ston[C]e.[D]

G                   Am              

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people

Em                  C                 D

They're all drinkin', thinkin' that they've got it made.

G               Am          Em

Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts,

C                    D          C                Am      

You'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe.

C              D       

You used to be so amused

C                   Am                  G

At Napolean in rags and the language that he used

C               Em          Am        G

Go to him now he calls you you can't refuse

C               Em          Am        G

When you got nothin' you got nothin' to lose

Am                  D

Your invisible now you've got no secrets to conceal.

Chorus

[D]How does it [G]feel? [C]   [D]           [D]How does it [G]feel.[C][D]

[D]To be on you[G]r own.[C]   [D]           [D]With no direct[G]ion h[C]ome[D].   

[D]A complete unk[G]nown.[C]   [D]          [D]Like a rollin'[G] ston[C]e.[D]