Students in Poverty

Last week some of our staff went through a very intense training on students living in poverty.  It was definitely a "head nodding" two days as I could relate to many of the things being presented.  My buildings have around 55% of our students receiving free and reduced lunch.  The gaps between the "haves and have-nots" is painfully obvious.  I know this, especially, because I work primarily with the at-risk population.  But I had to ask myself "do I remember every day that these children are living in poverty"?

You see I've read many books on the topic.  My heart melts for these children.  The empathy I have is never ending.  However was this impacting my teaching and interactions on a daily basis?  Raw honesty says I was probably not conscious of it every day.  That's not good enough because, quite frankly, these kids need me to be every day!

Some things we need to do for all students but especially our most needy:
1.  Form strong relationships built on respect.

• More rapport=more motivation for learning 
• Respect is not only verbal but non-verbal.  Think about your body language and facial expressions.
• Provide structure, consistency, and support

2.  Teach the hidden rules of school.

•  Personal space, privacy, level of voice, apologies, courtesies, promises 
• Not knowing the hidden rules of school can make school very difficult for a child
• Don't assume students know them.  They may not be taught or modeled at home.  It's up to us!

3.  Teach students how to plan.

• Use/model planning behaviors (color coding, checklists, written steps)
• If you don't plan you can't predict what will happen.  It's impossible to see the cause-effect if you can't predict.

4.  Think about the voice used when speaking to students. 

• Non-judgmental, factual, positive
• Look at the student as a participant in the conversation

5.  Teach using models

• pictures, sketching, two-dimensional model
• stories, analogies, metaphors

6.  Get to know the family resources and dynamics. 

• What truly is going on at home?  Addiction?  Mental illness?  Violence?  Neglect?  Can we help?  If we can't help out of school what can we do in school for the child?
• Be open and welcoming to the families.  Bend over backwards to get them involved.  Make a positive contact right away (in person, by phone, note) to build rapport.  Make school a positive experience for them.  It probably was not when they were growing up.

It's our job to help all children build their emotional resources.  You may have gone into teaching thinking you would have to teach school subjects.  Surprise!  That may be the least of what you're teaching.  You're truly teaching life skills.  For some of our students this instruction might be the difference between being stuck in the cycle of poverty or escaping.

A sampling or resources for meeting the needs of our children in poverty:

Eric Jensen has several books out there with a heavy emphasis on brain research.
Eric Jensen Website



 

Ruby Payne also has a great deal of information for educators.
Ruby Payne Website