A Framework for Understanding Poverty has sold over 1,000,000 copies. This book strives to be an inspection of the social and economic class structure of the United States and seeks to provide those living in middle class and wealth with a better understanding of the challenges that face those living in poverty. It is a self proclaimed "must read for educators, employers, policy makers, and service providers." The goal of the book is to provide the reader with "practical, real-world support and guidance to improve your effectiveness in working with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds."
The author of the book, Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D., received her B.A. from Goshen (IN) College. She earned a master's degree from Western Michigan University and her doctorate from Loyola (IL) University. She has been in the field of education since 1972 and has been a teacher, principal, consultant, and administrator. Ruby Payne founded the company aha! Process in 1994 which works with various organizations (schools, churches, social service groups, etc.) to promote the understanding of the effects of poverty on our children and communities. She spreads this message by speaking to approximately 200 groups a year. aha! Process also publishes Dr. Payne's books, including A Framework for Understanding Poverty.
As we close out this discussion, I hope that the information discussed and shared has benefited you as educators. For your final blog, tell us what you have added to your backpack in order to increase the success of your students. (You do NOT have to respond to another student)
15 comments:
A high percentage of our students at Robinson are at or below poverty level. Understanding Poverty has given me a greater understanding why our students at our school behave in such manner as we see daily, and what we as educators can do to to advance the learning process in spite of it.
We have at hand a tremendous task of educating these students. It has been confirmed that these students CAN LEARN, but maybe not in a timely manner as middle class students.
This course has broaden my understanding on the effects poverty has on learning. Understanding habits of a group in poverty, evaluating the hidden rules held by racial, ethnic, religious, regional,and cultural groups helps an educator open doors to new opportunities for their students,and encourage positive changes among them. Making changes in the mindset of these students can help change a way of life in the home, school, and community. My backpack is full of information.
Augustine
In the day to day interactions with our students, we possess the unique abilities to influence our students optimistically or pessimistically. We should always make positive emotional deposits rather than negative emotional withdrawals. Keeping promises rather than breaking them; clarifying expectations rather than violating them; allowing choices; being consistent; utilizing positive, emotional resources; and simply letting your students know that you are human and approachable are just a few traits that help to minister to the whole student and invest in positive relationships.
For me, Understanding Poverty, was a reminder of being reared in poverty; observing a majority of our student body currently living in poverty today; and knowing that it is our responsibilities as educators to help our students to understand the dictates of poverty and what is implied in society today.
Evory Johnson
By the reading this book, I now understand why the students of Robinson do some of the things that they do. I never understood it before now.
Nicole Dodson
Honestly, this book confirmed what some of us already knew. We just didn't have a publishing company to compile it in a book for us. I know that a person's status/class plays a big part in what he/she learns and deems important and necessary. With the economy being the way it is now, I think that we are going to see a lot more poverty-stricken families. My backpack is bursting at the seams.
I think that every teacher, staff and personnell at Robinson Elementary should read this book. I understand so much more about the children and their reasons for doing what they do. This book has been really great.
With me not having to experience the situation of poverty growing up, this book has opened my eyes to so much. Working with children of poverty, I have had to adjust to their way of doing things. At first, I was in my own mind set of "this is how things should be done". At this time, I realize that the behavior that may be so weird to me is just what they are accustomed to.
Being able to understand the needs of children of poverty will help me better serve the children of Robinson. This book gives details f how the odds are stacked against them, however, it gives insights to how we can prepare them in order to be successful citizens of society.
Janitra Jackson
The biggest thing I am taking from this book is the knowledge of the resources and being able to identify the deficit of it. I never realized that I might have to teach children how to deal with their emotions because they aren't learning it from home. It also helps me understand my children better and where they are coming from.
H. Gasper
Having come from a poverty stricken home myself this book helps me to understand myself and my students so much better. Because I understand I have more compassion. Cleoria Dunn
In a nutshell, there is a language of the poor, a psychology of the poor, and a perspective of the world by the poor. To come from poverty, is like living on an island where the culture is radically different from that of the mainland, despite being only a short boat ride away. I believe my backpack has been stuffed with much useful information that will guide me in helping my students succeed; especially in chapter 3, Hidden Rules, and chapter 7, Discipline. I am VERY glad Ms. McBride convinced me to go ahead and complete this book study instead of waiting to take a class this spring.
Karen Holland
This is my second time working with this book. A few years ago, we studied this book together at Lincoln Elementary and at that time I was more offended than anything. It was amazing to see those from very similar backgrounds to our students acting as if they had never heard of poverty or did not have relatives or someone they knew that couldn't read or a victim of generational povberty.
Even as I read some of the comments about our students I continue to feel this way. Often it is not the students that cause the problems. It is our lack of preparedness and ability to cope with situations that are unfamiliar that drives our frustration. Some of the instructors at Robinson did not come up in conditions that are much different from our students, yet they do not show compassion and understanding.
Many of us have been truly blessed and have chose to look down on our children and I believe that is reciprocated in the ways that the students act out. I hope that this book was an eye opener to some of us who have been blinded by our own blessings because it could have been you or a relative that is being victimized because of their social class or educational background.
This book really reminded me of why I am an educator. I learned that despite where these children come from they can learn but it is up to us to show them the way. I know now that a person's level whether it's upper, middle, or poverty level affects everything around him/her including school.
DeWanna Granger
When we were first given this book, I went home and read the first three chapters. I could not put it down. I came back to school the next day talking about it. For me it was such an eye opener. I grew up in middle class. I never knew there were hidden rules in every class, or that our schools were run according to middle class rules. There were so many times when I was reading, when I would finally get it. I began to understand why students sometimes act the way they do. I think that this book should be a must read for everybody at Robinson. If you want to understand our kids, you need to understand where they are coming from.
As I read this book, I thought about the students at Robinson Elementary and other kids that attend schools on the southside of Monroe. Some of the stuff in the textbook I could relate to personally, because I grew up in poverty and I was raised by my great-grandparents until my junior year in high school. I further understand why some students act the way they do in certain situations. However, I feel that poverty cannot be used as an excuse for our students. I feel that every educator or person involved in education needs to have a copy of this textbook. Not only can educators better understand poverty and the children that grow up in poverty who have to come to our schools to get a quality education, but we as educators can truly appreciate and respect the struggle that these children go through daily to survive in the world outside of our school walls.
Glenn Antonio Kline
This study has helped me really look at some of the issues in a different way. A good example was when a student got a new purse for her birthday. It was brand new and beautiful bright pink, but she had taken a black marker and written her ENTIRE name on every empty area on it. My first thought was wondering why she would ruin a brand new purse like that: then I answered my own question- she was proud of her purse and didn't want anyone else to try to take it from her. She lives in a home and environment where they don't have much, and it is so quickly taken from them. I don't think I would have reached the conclusion without this book. It opened up my mind (even subconciously) to the real triggers behind so much of what my students do. I am very thankful that we were given the opportunity to read this book. I even asked my parents to read it.
Overall, I have taken many things from this book. I have a better understanding of how to help the students I teach. I plan on placing special attention of the support systems. I've had many thoughts of how I can use some of that information with my students.
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