The Hunger Games: Sponsors —Popularity Means Survival Sponsor Campaign Challenge

The Hunger Games: Sponsors — Popularity Means SurvivalSponsor Campaign Challenge | Grades 6–10

In the arena, being liked isn’t just nice—it can mean the difference between life and death.

This no-prep lesson challenges students to investigate how the sponsor system turns public perception into a survival resource. Students examine how tributes build audience appeal, how popularity can lead to life-saving gifts, and why surviving the Hunger Games requires managing both the arena and the audience.
Students then become campaign strategists, designing a Sponsor Campaign for a tribute that balances genuine survival needs with public likability. Along the way, they dig deeper into the psychological and social consequences of a system where access to resources can depend on winning public approval.

What’s Included
- Teacher Directions & Overview
- Mini Research Questions
- 5-Step Group Activity
- 3 Student Analysis & Planning Pages
- Color & Black-and-White Versions
- Research, Campaign & Critical-Thinking Organizers

Students Will Explore
- How the sponsor system works
- Popularity as a survival resource
- Public perception and sponsor interest
- Food, medicine, equipment, and other sponsor gifts
- Surviving the arena vs. surviving the audience
- How tributes develop a memorable public image
- Skill, vulnerability, personality, and relationships as sponsor appeals
- Audience reaction and strategic performance
- Genuine survival needs vs. manufactured image
- The psychological cost of constantly performing likability
- Advantages and disadvantages created by the sponsor system
- Connections between public support, funding, and resources in the real world

Why Teachers Love This
- Designed for 1–2 class periods
- No complicated prep
- Combines literary analysis with media literacy
- Moves students beyond plot summary
- Encourages evidence-based strategic thinking
- Provides substantial student planning and writing space
- Connects the novel to larger questions about popularity, resources, inequality, and public perception
- Works individually, with partners, or in groups
- Includes printer-friendly black-and-white versions

Perfect For
- The Hunger Games novel studies
- Propaganda & media literacy
- Theme analysis
- Character analysis
- Public image & perception
- Media influence
- Critical thinking
- ELA & Social Studies connections
- Enrichment or sub plans

Part of The Hunger Games: Propaganda, Media & Manufactured Reality Series
This independently created educational resource is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or sponsored by Suzanne Collins, her publishers, or related rights holders. Students need access to a legally obtained copy of the novel; the novel is not included.

Created by GR Creative Creations