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Welcome to the Project!
Greetings, friends. This will be the hub for our discussion in EDU 740. I'd like to take this opportunity to say what an honor and a privilege is it to b... awww, who am I kidding? I got stuck running this little show, so now you've got to put up with my sardonic humor between classes! For each section, remember that we need symptoms, a diagnosis, and suggested treatments. The diagnosis should pretty much be the title of the thread, but feel free to create sub-categories or spin-off questions if the mood hits you. The symptoms and treatments will be the bulk of the project.
Now get out there and start blogging!
Now get out there and start blogging!
You know...sometimes children can not help how they are dressed or how clean they are. It may be because they are from a poor family. It may be because their parents do not give a rip! As early as 2nd grade, children begin picking their friends based on appearance and even odor. It is tough as a teacher to teach children how to work with or coexist with those that are less fortunate. Has anyone had a personal experience with this issue?
ReplyDeleteWe were dirt poor growing up. I had Toughskins jeans from Sears for all of elementary school. Finally got a pair of Levi's in 7th grade for Christmas! I wore my sister's hand me downs and my brothers jeans- only on PE days. We had to wear dresses and kneesocks if it wasn't PE day- because my mommy said so. Try waiting at the bus stop while it's snowing! My knees were chapped constantly. I had thick geeky glasses since kindergarten. I don't think any of this affected me, as I'm a perfectly normal adult now. Right???
ReplyDeleteIt does help with my compassion for the underdog and I pick on myself to alleviate a kid being picked on. They laugh at me and forget the outcast.
Our guidance counselor keeps a batch of clothing and shoes for our less fortunate students. She also lets us know those families in need during the holidays, so we can all pull together to help provide for those families.
ReplyDeleteProblem: Body odor in high school student
ReplyDeleteSolution: 1) Talk to the PE teacher, if that is the source of the odor. Many times one conversation with the PE teacher is all that it takes for the student to have soap and deodorant available when showering after class.
2) Talk to the guidance department or school nurse. Many times someone in one of these areas can approach the student in a an nonconfrontational way and provide assistance with toiletries that they may need.
I know that our faculty has donated items through our guidance department at the beginning of the school year as well as at Christmas. We as a faculty are usually on the lookout for children who may be in need.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the students whose parents may not have much, but take advantage of the kind hearted teachers who will provide things for them? How can we encourage parents to provide what they CAN while recognizing their limitations?
ReplyDeleteFor the same problem of tattered and torn clothing, I think the solution could be uniforms that are provided by the school. This can help with the problem...but not completely solve it.
ReplyDeleteAt our school, we often work together as teams to help provide for those who are less fortunate. For the past three years, our team of nearly 100 students and 4 adults have adopted the children at a local shelter to help provide needs and of course some of their wants for Christmas. This gave us opportunities to have some "heart to heart" discussions with our students as we plan and work together and has even helped us identify one of our own students who was in need. Our students have taken so much more away from this activity than the children we have given to could ever receive. I think this is a great way to help all SEE that there will always be others who are less fortunate and we can always do something to help.
ReplyDeleteWe had a situation that backfired about body odor and dental care. We collected some things to send home and the guidance counselor talked with the students in need - well the parents were livid. You have to be careful with this very touchy situation. The best outcome was that things did improve because it brought it to the attention to the parents. They became more aware of the situation.
ReplyDeleteTo Kandace--Treat such students with love as the classroom teacher. I really think that many times, children take on the personality of the teacher so if we as teachers treat such children with love and affection, the students will see this and do the same.
ReplyDeleteSymptom: Low achieving students often find themselves excluded from higher achieving students not only in the classroom, but on other occasions such as lunch and assemblies. They are often lumped in with the "troublemakers" who are also low achieving. In addition, ESOL students are often seen as having low social status for these same reasons.
ReplyDeleteDiagnosis: Often these children are thrown into social groups with students of lower social status, or are just seen as having lower social status, b/c they are lower achieving (which is often the result of their being ELLs or just divergent learners in a traditional classroom!!).
Treatment: Teachers and administrators must be alert to these situations to assure that students are placed correctly in classes and are not being socially influenced negatively. Perhaps if they ARE placed correctly, then they could make efforts to encourage all students to participate in extracurricular activities in which they can be successful, which often helps "elevate" their social status in the eyes of their peers and fosters self esteem.