Matt Black's photo essay, "The Geography of Poverty" provides a shocking reminder of the poverty that exists in the United States. The resource not only focuses attention on poverty but also conditions that have given rise to situation in one of the most productive growing regions in the country.

Concepts

photojournalism, photo stories, photograph analysis

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Provide class members with the list of writing prompts and let them choose one for their written response
• Have individuals create a photo essay highlighting a subject of their choice
• Use the photo essay in a unit that features The Grapes of Wrath as the anchor text
• Have class members compare the photos to those of Dorothea Lang

Classroom Considerations

• A link to the photo essay is provided
• A Spanish version of the lesson is also included
• Carefully consider the composition of your class and community when using the resource

Pros

• The resource includes links to the photo essay, background information about California's Central Valley, discussion questions, and writing prompts
• Includes captions that detail the population, the average income, and the percentage of residents that live below the poverty level in these communities located in the Central Valley of California

Cons

• None

Common Core

W.9-10.3.a W.11-12.3.a