What is the importance of relationship building when working
with students of poverty?
Give 2
examples of how it can be used to benefit the academic environment. OR give 2 examples of how a lack of relationships
can negatively affect an academic environment.
How does this affect graduation and drop out rates?
Respond to 2 others.
Relationship building is key to helping students from poverty be academically successful. As I noted in an earlier post, many students living in poverty often will not try unless they know we care. Have you ever seen the student who does terribly in some classes, but great in a specific class? Often the difference is the positive relationship the student has with that particular teacher. Students who have positive relationships are more likely to attend school regularly, graduate on time, and have positive behavior because they don't want to let down those positive, important people in their lives. Sometimes those important people are their coaches. Students who participate in athletics are more likely to want to stay eligible and to be academically successful. Unfortunately, I've also seen times when kids have dropped out when the particular sports season of interest was over. Of concern, are those students who have no relationships and who are involved in no activities at school or in the community. These students often slip through the cracks and before we know it they lose credits and eventually leave school without a diploma.
ReplyDeleteI have seen students succeed with some teachers and not in others. It is amazing at how we can make such an impact on students lives and sometimes not even know we are doing it. That is why it is so important to treat all students equal.
DeleteI've seen student not only succeed, but blossom under certain teachers. I think they knew the professional cared about them as a whole person and not just a student in their classroom. Since we're all teaching in small towns and see students in the community we have the advantage over large city schools and teachers in that we can interact with our students in the community as well as the school.
DeleteI think it safe to say that you never know who each student might have a connection with - -it could be the coach, the band teacher, or janitor. No matter what your "title" is, forming a relationship with a student could make all the difference for that kiddo!
DeleteStudents in poverty often lack positive relationships at home due to stress, time, etc. That makes it hard for them to realize what a positive relationship should even be, let alone know how to build one. I was really impacted by the statment "self esteem and school engagement were among the most important factors keeping kids in school". Teachers really can make or break a kid who comes from a family that lacks good relationships. Kids who learn to form good relationships with their peers and teachers are more likely to graduate than those who don't.
ReplyDeleteTeachers have a huge responsibility to not do further damage and to also reverse any damage that has already been done. After reading this, I wanted to contact each coach in my building and make sure they realize how important they are!
You are so right building the relationships is so important. As educators we no longer have the job of just educating. It is now important to build relationships with all of our students not matter if they come from poverty or a regular income family. Because, those children as well might not be having all their basic needs met. We just never know what may go on behind closed doors.
DeleteI too wanted to tell all the coaches to just read this book!! I don't think some people/teachers realize how important their jobs are.
DeleteAs a coach, I never have ever (really seriously) looked at a student's parent's income with how I treat them. So for richer or poorer, as long as a child is attempting to do their very best, it should never matter their economic status. Pretty sure most coaches don't even think of this aspect when dealing with their athletes.
DeleteStudents living in poverty really have nothing to try for academically. Often times they have no support and home and no one at home to even help them with homework and ask about their day. Therefore, it is imparative to have strong and healty relationships with these students. However, once you build these relationships it is important for the educator to be fully vested. These students crumble easily and heartache is often a common occruance.
ReplyDeleteWhen a student is in a positive relationship with a classroom teacher that truly cares about their academic progress amazing things can happen. Students faced with poverty that have this type of relationship will get better grades in school. They will see that someone actually care about them and want to try harder in the classroom.
The students' attendance will also improve. By having a safe, caring, and positive place to be instead of home the student will want to come to school for the reason of saftey.
By having the positive relationships students are more likley to graduate with their classmates. The encouragement that the recieve from their teachers gives them the motivation that they need in order to stay in school and graduate. Often times, these teachers can find out what the students passions are and use that to create the desire to stay in school.
I agree with you Tammi, when you take time to find out student's passions, it helps them know they are important and worth while to us!
DeleteTammi - you are right about needing to make sure we KEEP the relationships we build. Their trust can often be broken easily, especially when it takes a long time to build it to begin with.
DeleteI agree! Our relationships built with children in poverty are very fragile. They may be expecting something to go wrong, especially if it always has gone wrong with people they have had relationships with previosly.
DeleteI just "hosted" an ISS student in my room for the last 3 hours who's a 2nd grader and was caught stealing small classroom items. I don't know the student but was told he has a rough home life. While I do feel like he should be punished for his actions, I am wondering if the administrators will follow up with a way to support this little guy - he's apparently telling us something with his action. I don't think he is feeling important or supported.
DeleteTammi, Jamie....you are so right that our relationships with children in poverty are so very fragile. I often feel like they do expect things to go wrong because their experience is that things always go wrong with the people they have relationships with at home. Sometimes even when others outside the home try to help them our current "system" (entities outside school) doesn't allow them many successes.
DeleteI relate to the fragility of relationships with children in poverty. I hope we can help them see the choices we make for them - to be firm, consistent, to ask for more help for them if needed, are things we are honestly doing because we care about them.
DeleteI didn't read this assignment requirement before I responded to the previous assignment on this chapter....In all research I’ve read, not just this book, relationships seem to be the key in helping students feel like they belong in a situation – whether it’s on a team or in a school. Lack of relationships is one of the key factors in predicting whether a student drops out. The whole person needs to be supported and their basic needs must be met before students can focus on academics. When we look at implementing changes, hard data needs to be examined and analyzed before the decision is made as to the changes needed. All decisions for changed need to be data driven. Each of us is accountable to the plan for implementing change. And, without an enrichment mind set we will get more of what we’ve gotten from student in the past.
ReplyDeleteRelationships increase attendance and grades rise; according to the research the students come to school and perform because they know it matters to someone. When students have no relationships at school, there is a lack of commitment and dropout rates increase.
I actually saw a great example of how relationship building can alter a student's achievement. When I taught in Florida, There was a student who was doing very poorly in his classroom. The teacher called for a SIT team meeting because she thought he had a learning disability. The teacher was very strict and harsh. The Mother did not want the child in Special Education, and she requested the child be moved to another teacher. With the new teacher he formed a bond and within 4 months had gained enough that he was on level with his peers.
ReplyDelete~~Tammi-- I agree that it is important to keep the relationships we build. It shows the student that that relationship was genuine and not faked. I have students from Florida who still E-mail me to tell me how they are doing. I still stop and say hi to my previous students when I see them somewhere. It also makes me happy to see that they care for me too.
~~Rae Lynn--- Yes it is so important to keep in mind that children living in poverty often have a lack of good relationships in other ares of their lives. The relationships they form at school may be the only examples they will see of healthy and positive relationships. This may influence many areas of their lives in the future.
This type of problem can lead to higher drop out rates. As in any situation, a human being is more likely do work harder and do things for someone who cares for them. If you feel that no one cares why bother?
It is so true, "if you feel no one cares, why bother?". This is a prime example of why our support and relationships with children are so important!!
DeleteI had a nephew that struggled in a fifth grade classroom with a teacher. It wasn't a special education situation; but he was very intelligent and a bit outspoken. Their personalitites did not mesh well together. The teacher requested a transfer about Christmas time and it was the best thing that ever happened. A different teaching personality and a fresh start made a huge difference. The second semester teacher mad a concentrated effort to build a relationship with him.
DeleteThat says A LOT about the impact we have on children!!
DeleteYou're story about the child who was moved to a different teacher is really effective. Lately, if I find myself getting frustrated or in kind of a bad mood, I have been reminding myself how important my attitude is to my students. I always try to be as nice as I can, but now I think about it even more. I want to be the teacher that my studnets remember in a good way - the one that believed in them and helped them believe in themselves.
ReplyDeleteI find myself feeling the same way my attitude or mood. I hate to be in a bad mood at school. A quote that inspires me is "Be the change you want to see in the world."
DeleteReading this book and the posts makes me want to do more and help more; forming meaningful relationships is a great way to start helping 1 student at a time.
I hear you about maintaining a consistent positive attitude with students, despite how you might be feeling that day. I think too, though, if we do ever slip, students appreciate the model we can provide by apologizing, letting them know teachers are human too, and sometimes make mistakes, but the important thing is we learn from them and do better next time.
DeleteRelationship building is crucial to our profession. I can't imagine not being connected with our students. In the past I thought I had it together and knew my students. Boy, have I found out different. Putting aside my strict policy of sit down and get busy every minute of the day, there is a more relaxed atmosphere in the classroom. It's always been important to provide a safe environment. Add to that a more nurturing attitude and you have made the room a secure place to be. The combination of both is a classroom one of my needy students does not like to venture far from.
ReplyDeleteShowing him that I care about his needs of hunger has led him to enjoy my company. From there we can cover aspects of his attitude towards others. I also give him space when he needs to fidget and take some words personally. It's wonderful that I've only heard one really off color remark whereas in the past his language had been very colorful. I was told that he is beginning to build empathy, thinking of someone else first.
Another teacher who has a short fuse yet understands somewhat what sets him off, is not a classroom he wants to go into. He feels that he doesn't receive any respect from her, so he's not going to give any. I do believe that he makes some noises just to get under her skin. It is working. Also if there is an altercation in the bathroom, he's the first for her to blame. The thing is, she knows that he is very capable.
Hopefully, others in the school system will have an open mind to listen and understand building a relationship with this student will keep him in school. He is a very bright young man who happens to need his emotional tank filled daily to boost his self esteem. Otherwise, instead of becoming a productive student and adult, he will be a dropout with a dim future.
~Rae Lynn, I am right there with you in contacting each and every coach. I hear horror stories about what goes on at times. And then there is an exceptional coach who leads by example. He's willing to step out of a game when he displays unsportsmanlike behaviors.
~Tammi, Jerrie, and Rae Lynn All of you are so right in building those relationships we build trust. How thin those threads can be!
Children in poverty often have impaired relationships at home - stressed parents result in less attention, support and affection. They may feel isolated and unworthy, which may lead to depression. In the classroom, they might resist help from others because they know they can't depend on anyone. Research has found that kids with a positive bond with teachers were less likely to drop out and more likely to graduate. We need to provide a stable environment with stable relationships at school because we don't know what children may be dealing with at home.
ReplyDeleteRelationship building is important for all students. When a child feels a connection to a person or a school then they will try harder. In early childhood, the program of Conscious Discipline builds on building relationships with children--creating a school family. I think for some children in poverty, that a school family offers the support and encouragement they need. Thus, I agree with your position of creating stable environments and stable relationships at school.
Delete"Students will have a hard time bonding with peers and doing well academically unless they feel safe, appreciated, important and supported" pg. 92
ReplyDeleteI think this statement is simple but powerful. Students in poverty often don't come to school feeling safe, important, appreciated or supported - -so it is imperative that we as educators provide that atmosphere and that sense of belonging at school. I am fortunate that I work with many of my students in a one-on-one setting or in a small group. I do my best to make each one of them feel special and important to me -- and would feel like I haven't done my job if it were any other way. I also do home visits and try to have that same relationship with parents. I want them to know that their child is special to me and that I care beyond my professional title. It makes a HUGE difference in that child's learning and development if I can form a relationship with parents.
I agree that also showing parents that their child is important to us and building a relationship with them is important. When we create that relationship, we make education and school a place a child wants to be. If a child wants to be in school, then they will often graduate.
DeleteRelationship building is so important in creating a classroom environment that will give students in poverty a safe place to learn. One way students benefit from relationship building is students will be willing open up with a teacher about their needs and maybe things that are going on in their home lives. I also believe that students will express their needs academically. Instead of seeing behaviors or students shutting down, we see students willing to take risks and be cofortable being part of a team.
ReplyDeleteJamie- it is important to offer students that safe place to build relationships that they don't have at home.
ReplyDeleteTammie- I believe your statement "Students living in poverty really have nothing to try for academically" should be the first thing new teachers should know about taking on a classroom in a poor school. It would make their take on a classroom environment completely different.
Building relationships with our students is always important but that need becomes magnified when we work with students of poverty. As many of book blog members have already said, these students are lacking in many of the basics food, shelter and that spills over into relationships that are lacking: feeling loved, important, needed. I used to think that once these kids experienced love and support from a caring adult that they would immediately respond. Now I know that it takes quite a bit more…..their home relationships are “normal” to them and when that home may be especially lacking in the relationship area these kids have learned to not be trusting and to some extent have built a wall. I still believe that teachers who consistently show that they care through positive comments, listening, extra assignment help, snacks, etc can role model what a good relationship is all about. One of my students particularly falls into this category. Our team has made arrangements for this student to receive “seconds” at lunch (free of charge to him), snacks that he can take home, and extra time to complete tasks. Often he comes to school with much “baggage” – especially on Mondays. This is the student’s first year in our building so we’re all starting out brand new in building a relationship. The teachers who are taking more time with this student and trying to understand the home situation are having more success with this student in class.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about relationships taking time makes a lot of sense to me. Relationships aren't a key that you can put in a lock, and like that, the kid is "fixed." I think that age is also a factor in the amount of time it takes for a student to warm up to the adult.
DeleteThe importance of relationship building is that young children need stable relationships. Those in poverty situations, though find that their parents and caregivers let them down. This leaves them feeling isolated, frustrated, and unworthy. Students feeling like this are not be in a state of mind that is prepared to learn.
ReplyDeleteTeachers can improve the academic environment through looping. This is one way to build relationships with students - having the same teacher and group of peers 2 years in a row. I have taught in a school that used looping. I can tell you that students who came to me after looping felt very strongly about their teacher. This strategy was a low cost solution that was incredibly successful.
Another way teachers can use relationships to improve the academic environment is through mentoring. Students who had a strong relationship with a mentor were more optimistic about school and had higher GPA's.
When teachers and staff members form meaningful relationships with students, these students are more likely to succeed in the school environment. They are less likely to drop out and more likely to graduate.
Relationship building
ReplyDeleteI like the research on mentoring here. Having a longterm relationship with a mentor increases interest and progress in the subject matter, self-esteem, attendance, grades, and supportive relationships with others.
Looping is another strategy that I've seen in action, and have seen teachers that know their students and their skills, and their home supports better, and have to use less time in review and figuring out what students already know after breaks.
I think I'm repeating myself in saying positive relationships at school make kids want to be there, perform better, and less likely to drop out.
Secure attachments are vital to children’s healthy social and emotional development, but often times, children in poverty are denied this type of relationship and are instead exposed to attitudes of neglect and negativity. However, this doesn’t mean that children from poverty are doomed to only experience unsuccessfulness in school. Research does not support this idea, but instead acknowledges that teachers can act as an important and reliable source of relational support. Additionally, various studies have found that when teachers form strong bonds with children in poverty, the students experience multiple benefits such as improved self-esteem, greater optimism about their academics, increased class attendance, higher GPAs, and better peer relationships. Furthermore, these relationships and additional beneficial factors allow the student a greater chance of graduating from high school rather than dropping out prematurely.
ReplyDeleteJen Jones~
I completely agree with your opinion about never knowing with whom students are going to connect. I remember one kiddo telling me that his best friend was the custodian. I felt so sad that he didn’t give that title to someone like a classmate, but I was also so appreciative that the custodian had taken the time to get to know this student, and that he at least felt like he had someone who cared about him.
Rachel Chapman~
I agree with your statement about relationships being beneficial for students, so that they might feel more comfortable in the school environment and sharing about their home lives and academic needs. I also think that this is very beneficial to us as well, because sometimes, that might be the only way we learn about these outside factors we need to be taking into consideration and trying to accommodate for.
Building relationships with children in poverty is critical. A relationship helps a child make connections and improve their sense of self-esteem and school engagement. With strong relationships, children are more likely to become involved with school and the graduation drop-out rate decreases.
ReplyDeleteI was a Head Start teacher for several years and all of my students were from poverty. A couple of students from the same family that I had have graduated from high school even though they had a mom who was into drugs. I think that the caring teachers throuh their school years helped make that possible.
Building relationships is extremely important because often times it may be the only thing keeping that student going. Many times they do not have any support at home because they come from broken families or their parents have to work and can't be there to help. Other times it is a matter of a parent being home but not understanding the work. Many of the kids I work with have a stay at home mom, but the mom can't speak or read English and therefore can't help.
ReplyDeleteRelationships can be helpful because students may be willing to stay after school to get help or if possible you can give a home phone number they can call you on to receive help. It also allows them to have someone to talk to and they may succeed because of that.
It can affect graduation rates by having the support needed to either graduate if they have in school relationships or drop out if know one is willing to help them and build a relationship.
Tammi - you are right keeping in touch with students is important. I have students who have gone on that I still keep in touch with. You can see their faces light up when you say hi to them at the store.
Jen - providing a safe environment is the key to building relationships. It allows them to trust you and open up.
Relationships are important for everyone, but building a relationship with children from poverty is even more important because they typically don't have a solid relationship with anyone.
ReplyDeleteIf a child feels they have a good relationship with a teacher many times the child will try even harder to do well so they can "please" the teacher.
Children that have a good relationship with others, not just a teacher usually have a better self esteem and therefore more likely to continue with school and graduate.
I feel that if children have good relationships with their peers and their teachers they are more likely to finish school and not drop out of school
Everyone wants to feel needed and accepted and kids from a home of poverty is no different. I don't want to repeat what everyone else has said, because it's all true. Relationships built on trust for any child is very important. There are kids who have gone through the middle school here that I see at the high school level and I still talk to them and the ones who have touched my heart, I take the time to ask other teachers how they are doing and then when I see them in the community at their jobs or whatever I take the time to say something to them.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 students right now in 5th grade from a very poverty-stricken family and they try so hard, but things don't click with them. They are not treated any differently other than if I know they need school supplies, etc. I make sure they get them. I just feel so lucky to live and work in a school where no one at the 5th/6th grade level really cares if a person has money or not. The students treat each other really pretty good (a few bad eggs) here.