Being an anti-poverty advocate for students starts with your classroom. Here, we have compiled a number of different ways that you can support students who live in poverty in your classroom.
Build Relationships of Respect: Demonstrate respect to all students and hold them all to the same standards. Be aware of your non-verbal communication and remain non-judgmental
Make Beginning Learning Cooperative: All students benefit from collaborative work and having a support system when learning new ideas can especially benefit low-income students in your class.
Teach Students to Speak in Formal Register: Schools and places of business often operate in a more formal register than everyday language. By teaching this Formal Register to students, you give them an advantage when it comes to taking tests and understanding more of the world around them. The more generations that a person lives in poverty, the less likely they are to encounter Formal Register
Assess Student Resources Early: This does not have to be formal, but having a general idea of what kind of support a student is likely to have in their life allows for more effective interventions to be planned if a student is struggling. Telling a parent that is always working to help their child with their homework is less effective than finding that student a homework support group before or after school.
Teach Hidden Rules of School: Different social classes often operate under different sets of rules that can be hard to learn if you do not grow up with them. By teaching students the differences between school social rules and the rules they may have to navigate their home life, they are more likely to be successful.
Teach Students How to Ask Questions: Questions are very important for gaining information. This can help all students and you as the teacher gain a better understanding of what the students do not understand. By teaching all students to be specific in their questions, you give them the tool of access to information and help yourself in the process.
Forge Relationships with Parents: Low-income parents may not have the time or "know-how" to help their children with school work. It is important to create a welcoming atmosphere for all parents and give them an idea of what they should expect from you.
Greet them!
Prepare them for what to expect in a parent-teacher conference
Avoid “educationese” - use plain language that everyone understands
Make sure the parent knows you care about their child and that you know they care about them as well
Make time for meeting them when it works for their schedule
In 2012, a survey was conducted with BC teachers on the subject of poverty. The ideas that came from that study echo those above.
Build connections with the families so they feel welcomed and teachers are more aware of the support students have at home
Use a structured approach with clear expectations and small-group learning
Address emotional needs at the start of the learning time, include confidence-building techniques and positive reinforcement for attendance
Teachers in this survey also mentioned that resources to meet basic needs of students - like having food available in the classroom so students are not hungry and a collection of supplies so students have the right tools to learn - are very helpful when trying to meet the needs of low-income students.
Payne, Ruby. (2008). Nine Powerful Practices. Poverty and Learning. 65(7). pg. 48-52. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/apr08/vol65/num07/Nine-Powerful-Practices.aspx
BCTF. (2012). Poverty and Education: A Teacher's Perspective. https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/Publications/ResearchReports/2012-EI-01.pdf