Teaching poverty is hard.

Statistics feel distant. Big topics overwhelm students. And many resources don’t leave room for real discussion.

This guided lesson does something different.

By focusing on one child—Bruno—students are invited to slow down, observe closely, and wrestle with the real decisions families in poverty face every day.

The result is deeper understanding, stronger empathy, and more thoughtful conversation.

What’s Included in the Lesson

• A guided, discussion-based lesson built around Bruno’s story

• Structured questions tied directly to the video

• Reflection prompts that encourage empathy and critical thinking

• Educator notes for leading respectful, student-centered discussion

Everything is designed to be classroom-ready and adaptable to your teaching style.

Who This Is For

This lesson was created for educators who want to:

• Teach poverty with clarity and dignity

• Move beyond surface-level conversations

• Engage students without overwhelming them

• Use real stories to spark meaningful discussion

It works well in classrooms, small groups, and learning environments where conversation matters.

How It Works

1. Introduce the topic of poverty with guided questions

2. Watch the Poverty Encounter video featuring Bruno

3. Pause and lead discussion using the provided prompts

4. Reflect together on empathy, choice, and response

Total time: 45–75 minutes.

Preparation time: minimal.