Read Online A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne - Free Book Online
Authors: Ruby K. Payne
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his/her head that talks to him/her all the time. This little voice gives encouraging messages. These encouraging messages help one finish tasks, complete projects, and get through difficult situations. If an individual does not listen to this encouraging little voice, the success rate is much lower.
7. Procedural Self-Talk
Procedural self-talk is the voice that talks an individual through a task. It is key to success. Many individuals in poverty have a very limited support system-and particularly missing is procedural self-talk. Many tasks are never finished. In numerous dealings with students, teachers and other school officials find that self-talk is simply not available to the student.
The following case study identifies what aspects of a support system would be beneficial to a student-and would promote success.
LAKEITHA
You are a high school social studies teacher in inner-city Houston. One of your students, LaKeitha, was so rude in your loth-grade class that you told her she could not return until you had a conversation with her mother. She calls her mother and tells you that her mom will be there at 7:3o a.m. the next day to meet with you. You are at school the next morning at 7:15 a.m. LaKeitha's mother doesn't show up.
The next day LaKeitha is waiting for you before school. She is crying. She apologizes profusely for her behavior in class and tells you the following: Her dad is in jail. She is the oldest of five children. Her mother works two jobs, and LaKeitha works from 5:0o to 9:oo p.m. at Burger King every day to bring in money. Yesterday her mother was on her way to school to see you, but she got stopped by the police for an expired inspection sticker. Because she didn't have a driver's license, she was put in jail. Her mother is still in jail, and LaKeitha is all alone with the children. She is 15 years old.
LaKeitha asks to be allowed back into your class, and she asks you to help get her mother out of jail.
WHAT SUPPORT SYSTEMS CAN BE ACCESSED TO HELP LAKEITHA?
Here is a sample list of the support systems some schools use to help students.
Support Systems Schools Use
1. Schoolwide homework support: A very successful middle school in Texas schedules the last 45 minutes of every day for homework support. Students who did not get their homework done must go to the cafeteria where tutors are available to help them with their homework. The students must stay until their homework is finished. School officials have arranged for a late bus run to take students home. Many poor students do not have access to adults who have the knowledge base to help them with homework. The school has built this into the school day. Another middle school has arranged for students to have two sets of textbooks-one set at home and one at school. This school does not have lockers. The school has eliminated several problems and has also provided support for students.
2. Supplemental schoolwide reading programs: Many schools have gone to the concept of an Accelerated Reader program, using a computer-based management program that provides tests for students to take over the book(s) they have read. Students are encouraged to read more because the programs are designed so that students aren't penalized for what their parents don't know or cannot provide for them.
3. Keeping students with the same teacher(s) for two or more years or having a school within a school are other options. Both of these concepts are designed to build longer-term relationships between teachers and students. Also, much less time is wasted at the beginning of the year establishing relationships with the students and their parents.
4. Teaching coping strategies can be done in several ways. One is to address each issue as a student needs assistance. Many schools have small groups that meet with the counselor, principal, or a teacher during lunch to work on coping strategies in a number of areas. This ongoing group support allows students to discuss issues and
7. Procedural Self-Talk
Procedural self-talk is the voice that talks an individual through a task. It is key to success. Many individuals in poverty have a very limited support system-and particularly missing is procedural self-talk. Many tasks are never finished. In numerous dealings with students, teachers and other school officials find that self-talk is simply not available to the student.
The following case study identifies what aspects of a support system would be beneficial to a student-and would promote success.
LAKEITHA
You are a high school social studies teacher in inner-city Houston. One of your students, LaKeitha, was so rude in your loth-grade class that you told her she could not return until you had a conversation with her mother. She calls her mother and tells you that her mom will be there at 7:3o a.m. the next day to meet with you. You are at school the next morning at 7:15 a.m. LaKeitha's mother doesn't show up.
The next day LaKeitha is waiting for you before school. She is crying. She apologizes profusely for her behavior in class and tells you the following: Her dad is in jail. She is the oldest of five children. Her mother works two jobs, and LaKeitha works from 5:0o to 9:oo p.m. at Burger King every day to bring in money. Yesterday her mother was on her way to school to see you, but she got stopped by the police for an expired inspection sticker. Because she didn't have a driver's license, she was put in jail. Her mother is still in jail, and LaKeitha is all alone with the children. She is 15 years old.
LaKeitha asks to be allowed back into your class, and she asks you to help get her mother out of jail.
WHAT SUPPORT SYSTEMS CAN BE ACCESSED TO HELP LAKEITHA?
Here is a sample list of the support systems some schools use to help students.
Support Systems Schools Use
1. Schoolwide homework support: A very successful middle school in Texas schedules the last 45 minutes of every day for homework support. Students who did not get their homework done must go to the cafeteria where tutors are available to help them with their homework. The students must stay until their homework is finished. School officials have arranged for a late bus run to take students home. Many poor students do not have access to adults who have the knowledge base to help them with homework. The school has built this into the school day. Another middle school has arranged for students to have two sets of textbooks-one set at home and one at school. This school does not have lockers. The school has eliminated several problems and has also provided support for students.
2. Supplemental schoolwide reading programs: Many schools have gone to the concept of an Accelerated Reader program, using a computer-based management program that provides tests for students to take over the book(s) they have read. Students are encouraged to read more because the programs are designed so that students aren't penalized for what their parents don't know or cannot provide for them.
3. Keeping students with the same teacher(s) for two or more years or having a school within a school are other options. Both of these concepts are designed to build longer-term relationships between teachers and students. Also, much less time is wasted at the beginning of the year establishing relationships with the students and their parents.
4. Teaching coping strategies can be done in several ways. One is to address each issue as a student needs assistance. Many schools have small groups that meet with the counselor, principal, or a teacher during lunch to work on coping strategies in a number of areas. This ongoing group support allows students to discuss issues and
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