Upper vs. Lower Class Students

[AngelaS]

I have previously taught in schools that were 100% free and reduced lunch and am used to the challenges that go along with that type of school environment.

This year I will be teaching in a school that just barely became Title I, meaning that half the school is middle class and lower-middle class, and the other half is hovering around the poverty line. The principal told me the school has the police chief's daughter and the daughter of the guy the police chief locked up last night. I laughed but he was serious.

What strategies do you have for working with a population in which half of the parents are involved in the kids' education and the other half aren't? It's much simpler to work with either an upper or a lower class population, and I'm unsure as to how I can balance both.

I AM A MOTHER TRYING TO TEACH MY 4YR OLD CHILD HOW TO WRITE WHAT SIGHT SHOULD I GO TO
THE SCHOOLS WERE I LIVE ONLY LET KIDS WITH DISABLITIES GO TO SCHOOL AT AN EARLY AGE
MY KID IS READY TO LEARN HE LIKES TO LEARN AND RIGHT AND PLAY SCHOOL GAMES

It is really our task to deal both, the lower and the upper class effectively,thus, we should not play favorites. Lessons should satisfy them, a lesson that lead to appreciation of parity in learning. Enjoy......

Your words imply that lower class parents aren't involved in their child's education. The truth is that lower class families seem to not have as many options as those with a larger income or stay at home parents. WELCOME each family into your classroom in the beginning of the year. Show them that you are NOT bias, knowing that many parents have had bad experiences with the educational system. Invite parents/children to 'drop-in' before school starts to meet you and become comfortable with the school and classroom. Positive phone calls are helpful especially when you acknowledge the support coming from home. You can do it! Deal with the difficulties as they come, prepare yourself for the positive.

[latybug]

I work at a lower income school that has a few students that have parents with really good jobs. The first thing I do is to let both my parents and students know that all children can learn. From there I help my students understand that they are responsible for the choices that they make in life. What your parents have or don't have should not make a difference in your education. Instead, what you chose to get out of the lessons each day is what makes the difference. I like to quote that you should be happy with what you have been given. And the more you give the more you have. This seems to help break down that barrer.

[AngelaS]

Good idea, A. Huett. I think I have caused some misunderstandings. I am not implying that lower class families are not involved in education, or that their kids can't learn, etc. etc. As I said, I have spent my entire teaching career working with this population.

What I AM saying is that each population presents different needs. I know how to work with low-income families. It is the upper class students that I have no experience with and would like to learn what challenges may present themselves in that matter, and how to handle them.

This question surfaced because I was thinking about a first-grade teacher I met once who had half of her students living in a housing project and the other half in $200,000 homes across the street. (planned community). She complained that half of her students were reading already and the other half had very little experience with books. Also, she said it was very difficult because some parents were constantly placing demands on her to do things with the kids but when she did them, the other half of the parents would be unable to come up with the supplies or money or time to help complete these types of things (whatever types of things those were. I didn't ask but now wish I had).

I certainly don't believe that there was a strict dividing line there in her classroom, but that some parents from each type of home environment were on each side. The problem was that there were 'sides' at all. That's what I'm concerned about seeing in my classroom, and I want to be able to challenge all of the kids despite variances in home environments and resources.

The truth is that not all students come to school equally prepared to learn. Sorry for the misunderstandings, and thanks for your continuing responses!

There are many things parents of any socioeconomic level can do in the classroom. You don't have to be rich or a genius to save a toilet paper tube for a class project. Let them know at the begining of the year what they can do to help. Build a sense of community within the classroom so that everyone feels welcome. If you do projects or ask for a supply list try to establish that once donated these items become classroom property so that all the children feel equal. In most projects I do I always buy one extra of something because I know someone will not be able to afford it or forget something. Get the class involved in a fundraiser (depending on age). Just my two cents worth.