As I read through chapters 4, 5, and 6 this week I found so much useful information. As a Psychology major who will work with students I just find culture to be incredibly interesting. On p. 211 in Woolfolk writes about Poverty and school achievement, most of the students in Ms. Martinez's eight grade class are at a poverty level as well as single parent homes. some of these students are even in foster care. Sometimes Ms. Martinez will give them socks or a tooth brush with some toothpaste because these are things they do not have. This brings me to the stress level these children are under, not sure if they will be moved to another foster home or if they will have dinner because the parents have to work. This is their reality, I do not think it is justified to say they don't care about school but in many cases students who have to deal with these situations do not hold school to a high priority.
This week we also read about emotional and behavioral disorders which means "behaviors or emotions that deviate so much from the norm that they interfere with the child's own growth and development and or the lives of others--inappropriate behaviors and anxieties , and trouble with relationships" (Woolfolk, p 144). When I first heard these terms I have no idea what they meant I just thought it was a student who did not behave in class sort of like the class clown or trouble maker. I was very far off this is a serious disorder and as I have mentioned before some of Ms. Martinez's students have already been in trouble with the law for things ranging from minor offenses to violent crimes. Woolfolk states that early intervention is very important but that many students do not get appropriate help p. 144. I personally have not observed any episodes in my observation, but Ms. Martinez has many many stories to share. This is a serious disorder especially for such young people, I personally do not understand why there is not more help in American schools for our students.
Rosa, you bring up a very relevant issue, and one that Maslow says a lot about. You'll read about Maslow's theory later on in chapter 12, but essentially he says that if students have deficiency needs for survival or safety or belonging, then they are not likely to care too much about things like adding fractions. These types of needs are far more prevalent in low income families, such as the ones you are dealing with.
ReplyDeleteHow does Mrs. Martinez deal with her students that have emotional behavioral disorders? Have these students actually been diagnosed?
Wow, it sounds like these three chapters were easily applicable to the classroom you are observing in. It pains me to hear some of the bits of stories you have shared. As a future teacher, I am aware that there are going to be students with situations that you mentioned in my class and that makes me extremely sad. I wish I could changed how it is for these students, because like you said, sometimes school is that last thing they need to worry about when their basic needs are not being met. I often wonder the best way to handle this. You said that your cooperating teacher brings toothbrushes ect for the students. Do you have any other suggestions to help these students both in and out of school?
ReplyDeleteRosa,
ReplyDeleteI am very happy that you are concerned about the well-being of those students it shows that you care for them and want the best for them. It is awesome to hear that the teacher is helping her students by giving them some basic essentials such as toothpaste and toothbrushes.