Understanding Poverty in the Classroom: Changing Perceptions for Student Success

by Beth Lindsay Templeton

People who live in poverty consider life in different ways than those who have adequate basic resources. Many educators tend to see the world through their middle-class worldview. Because of this, they do not understand these significant and often rational differences. They may misinterpret behavior they see and ascribe negative connations to how their students are reacting. Their assumptions can affect the quality of both the teaching and the learning that happens. Most teachers have real passion for educating their students but their experiences limit how they relate to the challenges some of their students face daily. Understanding Poverty in the Classroom: * Identifies perceptual differences * Teaches strategies to address the special needsof children from poverty * Encourages teachers to learn about the neighborhoods where their students live and what to look for in those areas * Confronts myths about poverty and reinforces learning with specific illustrations This resource is interactive with exercises that increase the reader's learning and provides specific tools to improve the educational process for teachers, students, and parents.

150 pages, ebook

First published May 16, 2011

Reviews

[Susan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for teachers,administrators, counselors or anyone who works with school aged children. The impact that poverty has on our students and their families has many consequences. In some cases, it may be something quite obvious like not having money for a field trip. There are less obvious things that we do not always consider.
This book examines the perceptions and the realities that are part of poverty and how it affects children. This is an awesome resource for gaining a better understanding and helping to deal with poverty situations in schools.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight and helpful strategies to help those who experience or have experienced poverty.