Poverty Blog
Wow, I’m a teacher. This is what I tell myself everyday all day. It is still hard for me to believe. I hate all the excessive work that comes along with teaching but I love the kids. And it seems like everyday just gets better and better. I had a good week in the classroom and I am beginning to finally adjust to the Delta. Now for my personal life; it was the worst week ever. Someone stole my debit card and I wrecked my car. Even though all this happened, it doesn’t seem that bad.
The book made me put things in perspective. It made me realize how lucky I truly am. It is so sad what some of my kids have to go through each and everyday. What stood out to me most in the book was Chapter 4. In this chapter the book lists characteristics of generational poverty and how they surface at school. If these characteristics are true, I have a lot of students who are stuck in generational poverty. Many of my students exhibit these same behaviors. That wakes me up. I do, however, think that all students in generational poverty can make it out. I am a product of generational poverty. My mom was the first in her family to make it out. I can remember the exact day my parents found out that we were classified as lower middle class. This is according to the income tax people. My parents came home talking about it and about how shocked they were when the lady said we were in the lower middle class. Although they seemed somewhat upset, I think my mom was proud that she had made it out. Many of my family members are still stuck in generational poverty, but I know they can make it out. I like this book because it told of ways for me to help my students who may feel like they are stuck in generational poverty.
Chapter 7 gave a good explanation of why students in poverty resolve their issues with violence. This chapter gave a great idea for how to teach children in poverty appropriate behavior. It provides a solution for one of my primary classroom management problems. My students love to touch each other, and most of time it is in a negative way. This drives me absolutely crazy. They are always hitting, or hitting on, each other. The chapter provided a four-part questionnaire for students, that I will definitely be using that in class.
The book made me put things in perspective. It made me realize how lucky I truly am. It is so sad what some of my kids have to go through each and everyday. What stood out to me most in the book was Chapter 4. In this chapter the book lists characteristics of generational poverty and how they surface at school. If these characteristics are true, I have a lot of students who are stuck in generational poverty. Many of my students exhibit these same behaviors. That wakes me up. I do, however, think that all students in generational poverty can make it out. I am a product of generational poverty. My mom was the first in her family to make it out. I can remember the exact day my parents found out that we were classified as lower middle class. This is according to the income tax people. My parents came home talking about it and about how shocked they were when the lady said we were in the lower middle class. Although they seemed somewhat upset, I think my mom was proud that she had made it out. Many of my family members are still stuck in generational poverty, but I know they can make it out. I like this book because it told of ways for me to help my students who may feel like they are stuck in generational poverty.
Chapter 7 gave a good explanation of why students in poverty resolve their issues with violence. This chapter gave a great idea for how to teach children in poverty appropriate behavior. It provides a solution for one of my primary classroom management problems. My students love to touch each other, and most of time it is in a negative way. This drives me absolutely crazy. They are always hitting, or hitting on, each other. The chapter provided a four-part questionnaire for students, that I will definitely be using that in class.
posted by A J @ 9:10 AM
2 Comments:
At 6:18 PM,
mannie said…
I generally concur with your blogs, but have one disagreement. History and circumstance has proven that in some instances "generational poverty" may never be overcome.I would advise that you watch the video "Lalee's Kin" and you will learn the effects of generational poverty. I beleive it will also be a tremendous help in your approach with your students.
At 6:19 PM,
mannie said…
believe. Spelling correction :)
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