Teaching Kids from low SES

TEACHING KIDS WITH POVERTY IN MIND

ERIC JENSEN

We look at children raised in poverty with sympathy. Do we understand deeply how their chances for success are impacted by their situation? Can we do something about it in the schools – classrooms – relationships? Let me share my thoughts.

Who am I?

I AM POVERTY

I create low SES (Socio Economic Status) kids.

I am a debilitating condition that affects the mind, body and emotions. My presence leads to (1) emotional challenges, (2) acute stressors, (3) cognitive lags and (4) health issues. In the schools, it impacts language and emotional responsiveness.

Did you know?

My presence in the life of a low SES kid ensures that it is about survival. I do not let them establish rewarding friendships with their own age groups. I also nudge them to have stress ridden attachments with adults. They end up with Allostatic Load (carry-over stress).

Do you want to explore further with me?

Do you want to know if you can do anything to help?

Read on!

?So much is said about empathy, compassion, joy or love. Where do these emotions come from? Are we born with them, or do we cultivate them? Is it nature or nurture?

I AM A CHILD RAISED IN POVERTY

I am called a low SES child.

As an infant I was hard wired for 6 emotions only – Joy, Anger, Surprise, Disgust, Sadness and Fear. I am expected to absorb the rest from the environment. But where is such an environment for me? I did not get much prenatal care. My parents are poor, stressed, always worried and unable to provide a studious environment for me.

Hence my emotions are all over the place for I do not know them! I am not able to regulate the unknown emotions, hence I am unable to be in any group for long.

My life has been mostly about survival, not excel. The teachers in the school tried to revive me but I am unable to strike off any passivity. I believe it is called “learned helplessness”.

I see life passing by. I wonder if there is a school that can reverse the survival sense in me.

I AM A SCHOOL HEAD WITH STDUENTS FROM LOW SES ZONES

I believe in them!

I run a primary school for in this age group family income impacts academic success and I believe I can make a difference. I know that the kids can be turned around, but only if they show up! So I give them healthy and nutritious mid-day meal.

I believe that NURTURE can overrule impact of nature in primary classes. Hence, I work on creating a beautiful environment for the children. I have minimized stress, created cognitively challenging curricula, organized tutoring services, built positive relationships and …. We all exercise in the mornings!

In the classrooms, I (1) place high expectations with high support, (2) provide immediate feedback to students, (3) have a number of FAs, (4) keep the same teacher from 1st to 5th and (5) bring enrichments in classes.

I bring the best teachers and keep training them. We all speak softly with each other and the kids.

I wonder if this is enough!

I AM A TEACHER OF LOW SES KIDS

I am tired, emotionally and physically…yet there is a satisfaction in my work.

My kids rarely have a caring adult at home. So, they look at me for support. I can see in their eyes how isolated and unloved they feel. Hence, I have learnt many strategies to support them emotionally, as I help them navigate the challenging curriculum.

I never lower the academic standards. Instead, I work on the kids’ emotions to make them receptive to learning. I strengthen social skills by using cooperative learning strategies. I respect all kids and practice inclusivity. I create manageable micro goals for them on a daily-weekly-monthly basis and help them to implement them. 50% of my class time is to teach and the rest is to process for the kids. I bring curiosity-movement-social switching-questions-appreciation-energies and passion to my classes.

As I go home, I am tired! But the light in the eyes of the kids as they pass me by during dispersal time brings me back the next day.

I AM POVERTY

I am back!

Did you learn anything from what we all shared?

Poverty is debilitating but good environment can undo the damage. The human brain is designed to change from experiences. High quality experience = positive change. Good teaching is all that is needed. What do we do for the same?

Have a simple belief, “Every child can succeed!”

?

Thank you! PS: Here is some research you can follow up on for learning more.

1. Neuro plasticity – The brain can change itself based on experience.
2. Epigenetics – Environment can turn genes on or off.
3. Flynn effect – Mean IQ increases from 1 generation to the next.
4. Fluid Intelligence – Switching skills from 1 context to another can be taught.
5. Generalist gene – There are single genes that serve multiple functions in our bodies.

Source: Amazon.com: Teaching With Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids' Brains and What Schools Can Do About It: 8601400433102: Jensen, Eric: Books