Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds may exhibit behaviors that have no correlation with academic ability, but are linked instead to family instability, poverty, transience, and weak academic preparation (Dresser, Dunklee, Howard, 2009).
Children develop and learn at optimal levels when they're part of an environment in which they're safe and valued, where their physical well-being is tended to and they feel psychologically secure (Dresser, Dunklee, Howard, 2009).
Research indicates that close to 40% of the associations between economic disadvantage and young children's lower academic performance are directly related to the poorer quality of home learning environments (Dresser, Dunklee, Howard, 2009).
I feel that each of these quotes taken directly from the book Poverty is NOT a learning disability, are all somehow connected to poverty at home. I feel as though in today's society, it is very difficult to escape from poverty, a situation that many students now fall under. My selected illustration for each of these quotes comes from the same source; a trailer for the documentary "The Lottery". Below is the link to this trailer.
"The Lottery"
This film does a tremendous job demonstrating the living conditions and scenarios of various people living in poverty, fighting for an educational opportunity for their students. An actual "learning room" from one family can be seen if you pause the video at 1:14. This learning room is comprised of two chairs, a television, maybe five children's books, and a single toy. This house is owned by a single mother you meet in the film who does whatever she can for her child. I feel as though this film itself does a fine job illustrating these ideas, but I could only paste this simple trailer! I strongly suggest those interested in education and poverty take the time to see this film!
Brendan,
ReplyDeleteThe pieces you have chosen from the book really demonstrate what is happening in today's society. Poverty is a discussion that needs to happen more often. The film 'The lottery' was excellent. There was not a dry tear in the theater when I saw it. The film speaks of the truth and desperation that families today are facing when it comes to their child's education. Our book also speaks the same truth about how families may not financially be capable but still want the best education for their young. Great illustration!
Melissa
Brendan,
ReplyDeleteThe passages you chose from the book really sum up some of the key points in the chapters that we read and vital things to know as a teacher. It's unfortunate that we have students with a low SES background that come to school exhibiting factors that have no correlation with academic ability, but are being labeled because of poverty and lack of academic preparation. With this in mind, it is frightening as a teacher to think that you are mislabeling students, but in contrast, you do not want to NOT label students that need that extra support.
You also did a good job connecting the book to the film, "The Lottery". I have no seen this film, but find some of the points you made interesting. Maybe i will rent it to better educate myself about poverty! :)
-Stephanie