A Framework for Understanding Poverty Chapter 6 Lauren McMaster March 7,2012

Support Systems Friends, family, and backup resources that can be accessed or used in times of need. Can be broken up into seven general categories: Coping strategies Options during problem solving Information and know-how Temporary relief from emotional, mental, financial, and/or time constraints Connections to other people and resources Positive self-talk Procedural self-talk

Options during problem-solving Coping Strategies The ways a person copes with daily living. Ways to think about things, attitudes, self-talk, strategies for resolving conflicts, problem-solving techniques, and the avoidance of needless conflicts. Ways of approaching a task or setting priorities. Way of determining importance in your life. Options during problem-solving Different ways to solve a problem. Ability to talk to another adult to develop options to solve a scenario or problem. Information and know-how Way a person attains necessary information for a problem or life situation. Who knows enough math or content to help a child with their homework? Who knows how to talk to a teacher to resolve a problem?

Temporary relief from emotional, financial, and/or time constraints Simple relief or solution to a time sensitive problem. Who will helps you finish something if you do not have enough time? Who takes care of your children when you need a break? Connections to other people and resources Connections to people and resources to help support your. If you cannot solve the problem yourself, who will you go to? Positive self-talk Little voice inside your head that talks to you. Encouraging voice that helps you complete a task Procedural self-talk Voice that talks you through a task. Way you get YOURSELF through a task or problem. Often missing in individuals in poverty.

Imagine if Lakeitha was your student… 10th grade student in your social studies class who was rude. She is unable to come back to class until you speak to her parent. She calls home and mom says she will be there at 7:30 am tomorrow. She does not show up and neither does Lakeitha. Lakeitha is waiting the next day crying outside the room. She apologizes for her behavior and explains that: Her father is in jail She is the eldest of five kids and she is left to take care of them often. She works at Burger King afterschool to help pay the bills. Mom got pulled over on her way to school and is in jail. What support systems are missing? What would you do?

Implications for teaching and learning School-wide homework support for students Additional school-wide reading programs. Looping with teachers Direct instruction of coping strategies Scheduling that puts students in subgroups by skill. Parent training classes Direction instruction of classroom survival skills. Required goal setting Team intervention meetings.