Income Inequality is rising in many places around the world. Show your students in 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grade how to use ratios and percentages (including the Palma ratio) to help critically think about this real-world math problem with these integrated math and socials studies worksheets.

This income inequality math lesson is an integrated math, social justice, and critical thinking simulation that is designed to introduce the idea of income inequality to students in 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grade at a level they can easily understand- all while having them practice important real-world math skills involving ratios and percentages.

This lesson is a useful application for a math unit: percent and ratio practice.

It is also a great addition to a human geography unit: critical thinking and world issues.

How to Use:

1. Print a 2-page worksheet for each student.
2. Use the skeleton notes on the first page: students can take notes as you teach them about the basics of income inequality:

• Definition
• Causes
• A simple ratio (Palma ratio) used to compare countries
• Solutions

3. Then students complete a comparison of four different societies that have
varying degrees of income inequality. They use simple percentage and ratio
calculations (at the grade 6-7 level) to complete this comparison.

4. Finally, they get to write a paragraph explaining which of the societies they
would prefer to live in and why. This is where they can apply critical thinking
and reasoning skills.

Grades to Use With:

This lesson is designed for middle school students in 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grade who are learning about ratios and proportional relationships in math class or world issues and equality in social studies class.

What's Included: 5-Page PDF Ready to Print and Go!

• Title Page/Teacher Instructions
• 2-Page Student Worksheet with notes, calculations, and a reflection
• 2-Page Answer Key with prompts you can use to help students start thinking about the reflection