Thanks to Beth Tallman for pointing out this interactive map from Overflow Solutions:

Orientation:

• Color: Blue is lower poverty and orange/red is higher poverty rate
• Graph on right tracks the individual state poverty rates from 2009-2017
• The U.S. map also tracks data from 2009-17 allowing students to see the time series unfold

Questions:

• Use this resource to discover how these poverty rates are determined. In your own words, what does it mean to live in poverty? 
• How have the poverty rates in your state changed from 2009-17? 
• What do you think affects levels of poverty in a given city or state? What are steps that states can take to reduce poverty? 
• Looking at the national map...
  • How have poverty rates been trending since 2009? 
  • Do you see any regional differences in looking at poverty levels in 2017?

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The game, SPENT, helps students experience what it feels like to live paycheck to paycheck. 

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.