1. Families Living in Poverty Diverse Family Mini-Project Mary Kaish

2. Poverty in the United States More than 16 million children in the U.S. are part of a family living below the poverty level The current poverty level is determined as a family that has an income less than $24,000 a year To cover basic expenses, a family needs about twice this much income The majority of families living in poverty are African American, Latino and American Indian

3. Poverty in the United States Most poverty seen in the Southern United States

4. Poverty and Children Children who experience poverty at a young age or throughout their childhood are most affected Research shows that poverty is the single biggest threat to a child’s well being Poverty impacts children’s… Ability to learn Social interactions Behavior problems Emotional state Physical health Mental health

5. Facts about Poverty Children in poverty have the most absenteeism in school because they are taking care of others in their family or have to work Children in poverty are 1.3 times more likely to have learning disabilities than other children By the end of 4 th grade, children living in poverty are two years behind grade level Children in poverty are often ridiculed by their friends because they are not able to keep up financially (examples: fashionable clothes, birthday parties, going out to eat)

6. Stereotypes associated with Poverty People think… These families are lazy and unmotivated Parents are uninvolved in children’s education Those in poverty abuse drugs and alcohol Poverty is ignorance However… Most families in poverty have at least one working parent Parents often work long hours and use public transits therefore are not able to attend school functions/meetings People in poverty are just as likely to abuse drugs/alcohol as any other group of people Those in poverty want to meet your high expectations

7. Students living in Poverty What teachers should know… Children in poverty usually have a poor support system at home The rules at these students’ houses are often different than normal home and school rules These students have not had many life experiences to relate their learning to What we can do to help… Offer after school programs in order for students to complete homework Explain to students social norms and cues so that they know what is appropriate Spend extra time with these children and show them such experiences on the computer, videos, etc.

8. The Gift of Education “Educators can be a huge gift to students living in poverty. In many instances, education is the tool that gives a child life choices. A teacher or administrator who establishes mutual respect, cares enough to make sure a student knows how to survive school, and gives that student the necessary skills is providing a gift that will keep affecting lives from one generation to the next. Never has it been more important to give students living in poverty this gift.” -Ruby Payne

9. References http://www.nccp.org http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational- leadership/apr08/vol65/num07/The-Myth-of-the-Culture-of- Poverty.aspx http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational- leadership/apr08/vol65/num07/The-Myth-of-the-Culture-of- Poverty.aspx http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about- education-and-poverty-america http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about- education-and-poverty-america http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational- leadership/apr08/vol65/num07/Nine-Powerful-Practices.aspx http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational- leadership/apr08/vol65/num07/Nine-Powerful-Practices.aspx http://teaching.monster.com/counselors/articles/8164-what- you-can-do-for-students-living-in-poverty http://teaching.monster.com/counselors/articles/8164-what- you-can-do-for-students-living-in-poverty