Grade Level: Middle School / High School
Subject: Social Studies / Geography / Global Studies
Objective:
Students will analyze and compare living conditions between their home country and other nations using the If It Were My Home website. They will reflect on disparities in health, economics, and environment while considering the factors that contribute to these differences.
This website lets you compare what your life would be like somewhere else. The lottery of birth is responsible for much of who we are,” the site says. “If you were not born in the country you were, what would your life be like? Would you be the same person?” Using statistics from the CIA World Factbook, the World Health Organization, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the site compares several different aspects of life in more than 200 countries and territories. Business insider
Lesson Activities
1. Introduction (Engagement & Inquiry)
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Class Discussion:
- Ask: “What does it mean to have privilege? How do living conditions vary around the world?”
- Have students brainstorm differences they expect to see between their country and others.
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Introduction to the Website:
- Display If It Were My Home and demonstrate how to compare their country to another.
- Explain key comparison metrics (e.g., life expectancy, economic opportunity, healthcare access).
2. Exploration (Hands-On Activity)
- Student Activity:
- Each student (or small group) selects a country of interest to compare with their home country.
- Students record key statistics and take notes on how their lives would be different in another country.
- Encourage critical thinking by asking:
- What statistics surprise you the most?
- What factors contribute to these differences (geography, economy, politics, culture)?
- How would your daily life change if you lived in this country?
3. Analysis & Reflection
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Comparing Findings:
- Students share their findings in small groups or a class discussion.
- Discuss broader trends (e.g., how wealthier vs. poorer nations compare, environmental risks, quality of life).
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Reflection Questions:
- How do these differences affect people’s opportunities and well-being?
- Do you think these differences are fair? Why or why not?
- What role do global organizations, governments, and individuals play in reducing disparities?
4. Application & Extension
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Creative Assignment:
- Students write a short letter or journal entry imagining their life if they lived in the country they researched.
- Alternative: Students create an infographic comparing their country with another.
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Discussion on Solutions:
- What can individuals or governments do to address global inequalities?
- How does globalization impact these comparisons?
Assessment & Evaluation
- Participation in discussion and exploration.
- Completion of comparison worksheet or notes.
- Written reflection or infographic demonstrating understanding.