How Poverty Affects Education
Jodie Shell • September 30, 2020
According to the National Center for Children Living in Poverty, about 15 million children in the United States today are living in poverty.
That word – poverty – tends to conjure up a variety of images, ideas and opinions in all of us, some based on stereotypes, some based on media, and some based on our own life experiences and perspectives. Without a doubt, it’s imperative that as educators, we understand what poverty really is, the different types of poverty, and how we can help our students living in poverty to overcome and to achieve.
What is poverty?
In reality, poverty is “a chronic and debilitating condition that results from multiple adverse synergistic risk factors and affects the mind, body, and soul.” Our sweet little students’ minds, bodies, and souls are being affected? Wow. Pretty powerful, isn’t it? Needless to say, poverty is very complex and the factors surrounding it are emotional, unique and certainly very personal.
Poverty affects education and our children.
Children living in poverty tend to be exposed to more stress, more intense & longer lasting stress that negatively impact attention, focus, cognition, IQ and social skills. Children living in poverty also tend to hear less reciprocal conversations, are engaged in conversation with less complex vocabulary and less sentence structure, and are read to less frequently than their peers not living in poverty.
What can we do to mitigate the impact of poverty in our children’s education?
The good news is that there IS a silver lining for our children. ENVIRONMENT does play an enormous role in improvement. And who can create an alternative environment for boys and girls? YOU CAN! Without a doubt, this is no small task, and you may be thinking “Can I really give something to my students that will make an impact?”
According to renowned researcher Eric Jensen, there is. This is what he says:
“If you do nothing else as a teacher, provide hope. For many people living in poverty, hope and faith for tomorrow are the only things that keep them going each day. You MUST buy in to this fact : If brains can change for the worse because of hopelessness, they can change for the better because of hope. For students living in poverty, hope in not a frivolous luxury but an absolute necessity.”
For more information about different types of poverty, how children are affected and how you can provide hope and change within the walls of your classroom, watch our webinar “Poverty Affects Our Children: You Can Help!” by Jodie Shell.
Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. It involves self-regulation and reflection on how we learn and think, enabling learners to plan, monitor, and evaluate their understanding and performance. Working memory, on the other hand, is the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind over short periods. It is crucial for reasoning, learning, and comprehension. Importance in Learning Both metacognition and working memory are vital for academic success. Metacognition empowers students to become independent learners by actively managing their cognitive processes. It helps in setting goals, selecting strategies, and assessing the effectiveness of these strategies. Working memory is essential for tasks such as problem-solving and following instructions, directly impacting a student's ability to engage with and process new information. Strategies to Build Metacognition and Working Memory Self-Reflection Exercises: Encourage students to engage in self-reflection by asking them to think about what strategies they used in learning a topic and which were most effective. Journaling about their learning process can help them become more aware of their cognitive strategies. Mnemonic Devices: Use mnemonic devices to enhance working memory. Techniques such as acronyms, visualization, and rhymes can help students remember complex information by associating it with familiar concepts. Chunking Techniques: Teach students to break down large amounts of information into smaller, manageable chunks. This strategy can help enhance working memory by reducing the cognitive load and making it easier to process and recall information. Applying Strategies in Educational Settings Incorporate Self-Assessment: Regular self-assessment helps students practice metacognitive skills. Teachers can provide tools such as checklists or self-questioning techniques to guide students in evaluating their learning. Interactive Learning: Use interactive activities like group discussions and peer teaching to encourage students to verbalize their thought processes, thereby enhancing their metacognitive awareness. Visual and Auditory Aids: Incorporate visual and auditory aids to support memory retention. Diagrams, charts, and multimedia presentations can cater to different learning styles and aid in memory consolidation. By integrating strategies that promote metacognition and working memory, educators can significantly enhance students' learning experiences. Encouraging self-reflection, utilizing mnemonic devices, and implementing chunking techniques can equip students with the tools they need to become effective and independent learners. These skills not only bolster academic achievement but also prepare students for lifelong learning and problem-solving. Intrinsic motivation? Interactive learning? Visual and auditory aids? Did someone say GrapeSEED? To learn more about how we incorporate the strategies mentioned in this article AND MORE into our curriculum and teaching strategies, just click here .
In the bustling environment of an elementary classroom, harnessing students' attention and self-control can seem daunting, yet these executive functioning skills are crucial for academic success and personal development. As educators, nurturing these skills can empower students to become more focused, resilient, and independent learners. Here’s how teachers can integrate strategies, such as structured routines, mindfulness exercises, and interactive activities, to cultivate these capabilities in young learners. Structured Routines: The Backbone of Classroom Management Establishing a consistent daily routine is a fundamental step in helping students master self-control and attention. Predictable schedules provide a sense of security, helping students understand what is expected at different times of the day. Teachers can start by outlining the day’s agenda at the beginning of each class, using visual aids like charts or calendars. This not only sets clear expectations but also helps students mentally prepare for transitions between activities. Gradually, students learn to manage their time and maintain focus, knowing exactly what comes next. Mindfulness Exercises: Building Inner Focus Incorporating mindfulness exercises into the classroom can significantly enhance students' ability to concentrate and regulate their emotions. Simple activities, such as guided breathing or short meditation sessions, can be seamlessly integrated into the school day. For instance, starting the morning with a five-minute breathing exercise can calm students' minds, setting a focused tone for learning. Mindfulness not only improves attention span but also aids in emotional regulation, helping students pause and think before reacting impulsively. Interactive Activities: Engaging and Educative Interactive activities that require students to follow instructions or work collaboratively can effectively boost their attention and self-control. Games like "Simon Says" or "Red Light, Green Light" require students to listen carefully and respond appropriately, honing their capacity to control impulses and focus on the task at hand. Additionally, activities that involve problem-solving or creative thinking—such as group projects or classroom debates—encourage students to concentrate and engage deeply with their peers and the material. Positive Reinforcement: Encouraging Growth Positive reinforcement plays a pivotal role in developing executive functioning skills. Praise and rewards for demonstrating self-control and attention can motivate students to replicate these behaviors. Teachers can implement systems such as token economies or recognition boards where students earn points or badges for exhibiting focused behavior. Celebrating these achievements fosters a classroom culture that values perseverance and self-regulation. Creating a Supportive Learning Environment Finally, fostering a supportive learning environment is essential. Teachers can create a space where students feel safe to make mistakes and are encouraged to learn from them. Implementing flexible seating arrangements or quiet zones can cater to different learning styles and help maintain focus. By cultivating a classroom atmosphere that respects individual needs and promotes positive interactions, teachers can significantly enhance students’ executive functioning abilities. By incorporating structured routines, mindfulness exercises, interactive activities, and positive reinforcement, teachers can play a pivotal role in developing students' attention and self-control. These skills are not only foundational for academic achievement but are vital for students’ overall personal growth and future success. As educators embrace these strategies, they prepare students to navigate the challenges of the modern world with confidence and competence. At GrapeSEED, we have embraced routine, interaction and creating an encouraging and supportive environment. As a matter of fact, these qualities are a large part of who we are and how our curriculum is structured. Want to learn more about us? Just click here!
As we continue on through our series about the different executive functioning skills, we’re learning that these skills are essential for academic success and everyday life. In today’s article, we’ll focus on how children can acquire the skills of taking initiative and remaining flexible and how teachers can help: Clear Expectations Teachers can help student start by establishing clear and concise instructions. Break tasks into smaller steps to make them manageable, reducing anxiety and promoting independence. This clarity encourages students to take initiative confidently. Visual Schedules Use visual schedules to map out the day's activities. These can include pictures or symbols that serve as cues for task initiation and help students anticipate transitions, making them more adaptable to changes. Adaptability Games Incorporate games that require quick thinking and adaptability, such as "Simon Says" or "Musical Chairs." These playful activities teach students to adjust their strategies and develop resilience in facing unexpected changes. Modeling Behavior Demonstrate the behaviors you wish to instill. By showing how to start tasks and adapt to disruptions, teachers offer a live example for students to emulate. Think aloud and verbalize your plans and adjustments to illustrate these processes. Positive Reinforcement Celebrate students' efforts in initiating tasks and adapting to change with positive reinforcement. Use praise, stickers, or privileges to acknowledge their progress, reinforcing these behaviors and building their confidence. Importance of These Skills Teaching task initiation and flexibility equips students with vital tools for success. These executive functioning skills prepare them for academic challenges and social interactions, laying a foundation for lifelong adaptability and independence. By integrating these strategies into classroom routines, teachers can effectively nurture students' executive functioning skills, helping them thrive in various settings. While the GrapeSEED curriculum is designed for English acquisition, it embodies so many of these powerful life skills. Click here for more!
Developing strong executive functioning skills, particularly planning and organization, is crucial for young students to thrive both academically and personally. As an elementary school staff member, you play a vital role in nurturing these abilities in your classroom. Here are some practical strategies that can be easily implemented to help your students build these essential skills. 1. Visual Schedules: A Roadmap for Success Visual schedules are an excellent tool for helping students understand and plan their day. By using charts or calendars with pictures, icons, or colors, you can guide students through their daily activities. This visual aid not only helps them anticipate what comes next but also fosters independence as they learn to follow their schedule. How to Implement: Create a daily schedule that includes all classroom activities. Use Velcro strips or magnets so that students can physically manipulate the schedule, adding or removing tasks as needed. Encourage students to check off completed tasks, giving them a sense of accomplishment. 2. Break Tasks into Manageable Steps Large tasks can be overwhelming for young learners. Breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps makes them less daunting and easier to tackle, helping students initiate and complete their work confidently. How to Implement: When introducing a new project or assignment, outline each step on the board. Provide students with a checklist they can follow, ticking off each step as they complete it. Pair students with a buddy to discuss and divide tasks, promoting collaboration and peer learning. 3. Incorporate Games that Encourage Planni ng Games are a fun and effective way to develop planning skills. Activities that require strategy and foresight can help students learn to think ahead and plan their moves. How to Implement: Introduce board games like "Checkers" or "Connect Four," which require strategic thinking. Use puzzles that require students to plan their approach before starting. Organize team challenges where students must work together to achieve a goal, fostering both planning and collaboration. 4. Consistency is Key Consistency in your approach helps students understand the expectations and develop a habitual routine. When they know what to expect, they are more likely to engage in and initiate tasks independently. How to Implement: Establish a consistent classroom routine that students can rely on. Reinforce the importance of following the routine and provide gentle reminders as needed. Use consistent language and cues when discussing planning and task initiation. 5. Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate Small Wins Positive reinforcement is essential in motivating students and reinforcing good habits. Celebrating small achievements encourages students to take initiative and develop confidence in their abilities. How to Implement: Acknowledge and praise students when they successfully follow their schedule or complete a task. Use a reward system, such as stickers or a classroom reward jar, to recognize their efforts. Share success stories with the class, highlighting how planning and initiative led to positive outcomes. By incorporating these strategies into your teaching, you can create a supportive environment that empowers your students to develop crucial executive functioning skills. Remember, the goal is to provide them with the tools they need to plan effectively and to be organized. With consistency and encouragement, your students will be well on their way to becoming independent learners and thinkers. GrapeSEED’s carefully created curriculum is built on consistency, routine and building independence over time. Check us out by clicking here today!
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