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In Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind, Eric Jensen emphasizes the critical role of relevance in engaging students from low-income backgrounds. He argues that when students perceive learning as meaningful and connected to their lives, their motivation and achievement increase.
Jensen outlines several strategies to enhance relevance in the classroom:
Connecting Content to Students' Lives: Jensen advocates for linking academic content to students' personal experiences, goals, and cultural backgrounds. This approach helps students find personal meaning in their learning, increasing engagement and retention.
Example:
Personal Story Sharing: Encourage students to share personal stories related to the lesson topic. For instance, when discussing historical events, students can relate them to their own family histories or community experiences.
Real-World Applications: Applying classroom lessons to real-world scenarios demonstrates the practical value of academic content, making it more relevant and engaging for students.
Example:
Authentic Projects: At Blackburn Elementary, third-grade teachers engaged students in an in-depth, authentic project about the Titanic. Students worked in groups to make inferences about Titanic suitcases, enhancing their reading and writing skills through a real-world context.
Student Choice and Voice: Providing students with choices in their learning and opportunities to express their opinions fosters a sense of ownership and relevance.
Example:
Choice in Learning Activities: Allow students to choose how they engage with the material, such as selecting between drawing or listening to a read-aloud during a lesson. This approach was effective in maintaining engagement among a fifth-grade class, as students were more attentive and responsive when given options.
By implementing these strategies, educators can create a more engaging and relevant learning environment that addresses the unique needs of students from low-income backgrounds.
For a more in-depth exploration of these strategies, you might refer to Jensen's book, Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind: Practical Strategies for Raising Achievement.
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