The Poverty Series
Examining: Poverty in Our Backyard
Poverty in Our Backyard is a 1 credit hour, self-paced course that examines the cumulative effects of poverty related stress on students and what educators can do about it. As poverty continues to increase in our communities and more and more students in our classrooms come from low SES homes, it is important for educators to understand the effects poverty can have on their students and their students’ school success. Participants will first learn about stress-based factors that cause very real physiological changes in both the brains and bodies of low SES students causing them to lag behind same-age peers. Next, participants will examine strategies, activities, and programs that provide the behavioral and cognitive supports low SES students need for success, as well as models for providing family support. Finally participants will have a chance to develop a plan for their classroom or school that implements and/or integrates changes that will positively support low SES students and families.
Examining: Through Poverty's Lens
Poverty is about more than being low on cash and it affects students more deeply than being made fun of for not wearing the latest fashions or not owning the newest iPhone. In fact, research shows the cumulative effects of poverty can create very real and devastating changes to the human body and mind that in turn become barriers to academic success. Based on the book Teaching with Poverty in Mind by educator and brain expert Eric Jensen, Through Poverty’s Lens is a 3 credit hour, self-paced course that investigates what poverty is; its connection to the social/emotional development, stress levels, cognitive lag, and health/safety challenges seen in low SES students; how those challenges affect academic success, and; what communities, schools, and teachers can do to improve those students’ academic success and achievement. In addition to the text, participants will explore current research, the state of poverty in Iowa schools today, and share ideas and information through discussion forums. Assignments are geared towards helping educators improve academic success for low SES students on community, school wide, and classroom levels.
Examining: Student in Poverty: Building Genius
Students from poverty can be one of the most difficult populations to motivate and inspire. The consequences of living in poverty often result in increased transience, absenteeism, and high drop-out rates. The conditions and daily stress of living in poverty can leave students hopeless and disaffected. While engaging any student can improve academic achievement, students from poverty are some of the most vulnerable among us and engaging them will not only improve their academic achievement, but may very well change their futures. In this 3 credit hour course, participants will learn exactly how to motivate, energize and focus their students from poverty to improve engagement, cognitive skills and achievement.
Poverty in Our Backyard is a 1 credit hour, self-paced course that examines the cumulative effects of poverty related stress on students and what educators can do about it. As poverty continues to increase in our communities and more and more students in our classrooms come from low SES homes, it is important for educators to understand the effects poverty can have on their students and their students’ school success. Participants will first learn about stress-based factors that cause very real physiological changes in both the brains and bodies of low SES students causing them to lag behind same-age peers. Next, participants will examine strategies, activities, and programs that provide the behavioral and cognitive supports low SES students need for success, as well as models for providing family support. Finally participants will have a chance to develop a plan for their classroom or school that implements and/or integrates changes that will positively support low SES students and families.
Examining: Through Poverty's Lens
Poverty is about more than being low on cash and it affects students more deeply than being made fun of for not wearing the latest fashions or not owning the newest iPhone. In fact, research shows the cumulative effects of poverty can create very real and devastating changes to the human body and mind that in turn become barriers to academic success. Based on the book Teaching with Poverty in Mind by educator and brain expert Eric Jensen, Through Poverty’s Lens is a 3 credit hour, self-paced course that investigates what poverty is; its connection to the social/emotional development, stress levels, cognitive lag, and health/safety challenges seen in low SES students; how those challenges affect academic success, and; what communities, schools, and teachers can do to improve those students’ academic success and achievement. In addition to the text, participants will explore current research, the state of poverty in Iowa schools today, and share ideas and information through discussion forums. Assignments are geared towards helping educators improve academic success for low SES students on community, school wide, and classroom levels.
Examining: Student in Poverty: Building Genius
Students from poverty can be one of the most difficult populations to motivate and inspire. The consequences of living in poverty often result in increased transience, absenteeism, and high drop-out rates. The conditions and daily stress of living in poverty can leave students hopeless and disaffected. While engaging any student can improve academic achievement, students from poverty are some of the most vulnerable among us and engaging them will not only improve their academic achievement, but may very well change their futures. In this 3 credit hour course, participants will learn exactly how to motivate, energize and focus their students from poverty to improve engagement, cognitive skills and achievement.
