I found out how uncomfortable I would be in wealthy surroundings! I did have insight on a few items on the poverty checklist, but not enough to survive. Having worked in another county prior to coming to the Tuscaloosa schools, I learned more about poverty than any book could tell me. I went into this job fresh out of college, having student taught at a upper middle class school, and with only a few experiences to go on. I thought that EVERYONE had a phone and a car. I mean, I did, and most all of the students I had been exposed to until that point did also. I quickly learned that in some areas, having such was the exception to the rule. Some of these children didn't even have running water or electricity at home--and this was the early 1990's! It's easy to take for granted what you think everyone has access to. Sometimes resources are more limited than we think.
I am definitely middle class! I could not survive in poverty because I'm Type A about paying my bills and I definitely failed Scissors 101! As far as upper class is concerned - unless Taco Casa and DePalma's counts as reading menus in a foreign language - I'm way, way out of that league!
I agree with you Vicke! I am middle class too. I could relate to some of the questions in the poverty stage even though I've never had to experience it and I know I couldn't survive! I didn't check one on the wealthy list even though I'm looking for a decorator. :) This activity really opened my eyes and helped me to see what some of my students live through daily to survive. What a special job we have as teachers!
In the framework of American society, there are more than 3 classes of people. I believe a class in society exists between the middle class and those at the poverty level. It is witin this class, my roots were devolped, that have influenced me throughout my life. My parents divorced and I was reared by my marternal grandparents. My grandfather died when I was 11. Within this class, that my grandmother taught me moral values, work ethics, and the importance of education. Now, how odd, that my grandmother's formal education stopped at the 8th grade because of having to work on the farm. Each year, I share with my children, invaluable principlas of life taught to me by my grandmother. These lessons of life are not found in books or formal education. I remember her saying to me, "Paulette, look people in the eye when you are specking to them and stand proud." She would never allow me to say, "I can't do that." I discuss, with my class, the lyrics of a song titled, "American Honey". The lyrics of this song is a, "song to self". Within this class, there was never a worrry about the next meal, however, I did watch, as my grandmother would pay her bills each week from her very small check she received working a job in a factory. Yes, we went to laundromats and stayed there so our clothes were not stolen. I used a knife instead of scissors, never had a checking account, and never had a car in high school or college. I wittnessed my grandmother constantly helping her brothers and sisters who did not share her "moral values" in life. Grandmother would say, "Paulette, that lifestyle is trash, but I love them, and will help them whenever possible. Paulette, do not ever live your life that way." Now, what a simple statement, yet so important. I can't imagine her not saying those comments. I am pround of my roots and would not change a thing. I wore homemade clothes, and always wanted things "The rich girls possessed." I worked at a Dairy Queen and a 5&10 cent (Dime) store to buy a nice (store bought) clothes. Grandmother always stressed manners, morals, hard work (do not expect things to be given to you), and education. As the lyrics of the song, "American Honey" states, "She grew up strong and couldn't wait to get going." Now, what if my grandmother had said to me, "Paulette, if you go to college, I will be left all alone." Thank you grandmother for having the insight not to say that. I have worked hard to be middle class. Many things on page 39 I have taught myself. After reading this book, I did not find out anything new about myself. In fact, in a way, the book left me feeling hopeless. The "Generational Poverty Cycle" needs to be stopped and from things book, there is no answer. Money given as an entitlement or, a monthly handout is not the answer. It is a bandaide to help the children who did not ask for their lifestyle. But, many of those children, continue the cycle. I want to believe that I make a difference to some children when I can truly say, "I did not grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth, but my grandmother was my best friend."
I could only identify with the middle class post. The other quizzes helped me to understand the differences that children face when from a background in poverty. The information on pages 42-43 were also helpful. The Hidden Rules Among the classes show the concerns of familes at different economic levels. I want to continue to learn to help students from all backgrounds to succeed in the classroom and in their future.
I identified most with the middle class norms. These are things that have been taught and engrained in us by family and schools. In an interesting twist I had a "tie" between Upper class and poverty norms. However the items that I could identify with for Poverty were projections of my middle class norms on a situation. For instance, I know where free clinic is do to my involvement with local politics. Also, I know what to look for in a used car do to the fact that my father is a used car manager at a Toyata dealership.
I could only identify with the middle class group. I definately do not fly in my own plane or have favorite restuarants in other countries. I grew up in a very small town and my parents did not go to college so they always struggled with money, but I always had everything I needed. I think I could relate more to students living in poverty than wealthy students according to these checklists.
I found out how uncomfortable I would be in wealthy surroundings! I did have insight on a few items on the poverty checklist, but not enough to survive. Having worked in another county prior to coming to the Tuscaloosa schools, I learned more about poverty than any book could tell me. I went into this job fresh out of college, having student taught at a upper middle class school, and with only a few experiences to go on. I thought that EVERYONE had a phone and a car. I mean, I did, and most all of the students I had been exposed to until that point did also. I quickly learned that in some areas, having such was the exception to the rule. Some of these children didn't even have running water or electricity at home--and this was the early 1990's! It's easy to take for granted what you think everyone has access to. Sometimes resources are more limited than we think.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely middle class! I could not survive in poverty because I'm Type A about paying my bills and I definitely failed Scissors 101! As far as upper class is concerned - unless Taco Casa and DePalma's counts as reading menus in a foreign language - I'm way, way out of that league!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Vicke! I am middle class too. I could relate to some of the questions in the poverty stage even though I've never had to experience it and I know I couldn't survive! I didn't check one on the wealthy list even though I'm looking for a decorator. :) This activity really opened my eyes and helped me to see what some of my students live through daily to survive. What a special job we have as teachers!
ReplyDeleteIn the framework of American society, there are more than 3 classes of people. I believe a class in society exists between the middle class and those at the poverty level. It is witin this class, my roots were devolped, that have influenced me throughout my life.
ReplyDeleteMy parents divorced and I was reared by my marternal grandparents. My grandfather died when I was 11. Within this class, that my grandmother taught me moral values, work ethics, and the importance of education. Now, how odd, that my grandmother's formal education stopped at the 8th grade because of having to work on the farm. Each year, I share with my children, invaluable principlas of life taught to me by my grandmother. These lessons of life are not found in books or formal education. I remember her saying to me, "Paulette, look people in the eye when you are specking to them and stand proud." She would never allow me to say, "I can't do that."
I discuss, with my class, the lyrics of a song titled, "American Honey". The lyrics of this song is a, "song to self".
Within this class, there was never a worrry about the next meal, however, I did watch, as my grandmother would pay her bills each week from her very small check she received working a job in a factory. Yes, we went to laundromats and stayed there so our clothes were not stolen. I used a knife instead of scissors, never had a checking account, and never had a car in high school or college. I wittnessed my grandmother constantly helping her brothers and sisters who did not share her "moral values" in life. Grandmother would say, "Paulette, that lifestyle is trash, but I love them, and will help them whenever possible. Paulette, do not ever live your life that way." Now, what a simple statement, yet so important. I can't imagine her not saying those comments. I am pround of my roots and would not change a thing.
I wore homemade clothes, and always wanted things "The rich girls possessed." I worked at a Dairy Queen and a 5&10 cent (Dime) store to buy a nice (store bought) clothes.
Grandmother always stressed manners, morals, hard work (do not expect things to be given to you), and education. As the lyrics of the song, "American Honey" states, "She grew up strong and couldn't wait to get going." Now, what if my grandmother had said to me, "Paulette, if you go to college, I will be left all alone." Thank you grandmother for having the insight not to say that.
I have worked hard to be middle class. Many things on page 39 I have taught myself.
After reading this book, I did not find out anything new about myself. In fact, in a way, the book left me feeling hopeless. The "Generational Poverty Cycle" needs to be stopped and from things book, there is no answer. Money given as an entitlement or, a monthly handout is not the answer. It is a bandaide to help the children who did not ask for their lifestyle. But, many of those children, continue the cycle.
I want to believe that I make a difference to some children when I can truly say, "I did not grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth, but my grandmother was my best friend."
Test post
ReplyDeleteI could only identify with the middle class post. The other quizzes helped me to understand the differences that children face when from a background in poverty. The information on pages 42-43 were also helpful. The Hidden Rules Among the classes show the concerns of familes at different economic levels. I want to continue to learn to help students from all backgrounds to succeed in the classroom and in their future.
ReplyDeleteI identified most with the middle class norms. These are things that have been taught and engrained in us by family and schools. In an interesting twist I had a "tie" between Upper class and poverty norms. However the items that I could identify with for Poverty were projections of my middle class norms on a situation. For instance, I know where free clinic is do to my involvement with local politics. Also, I know what to look for in a used car do to the fact that my father is a used car manager at a Toyata dealership.
ReplyDeleteI could only identify with the middle class group. I definately do not fly in my own plane or have favorite restuarants in other countries. I grew up in a very small town and my parents did not go to college so they always struggled with money, but I always had everything I needed. I think I could relate more to students living in poverty than wealthy students according to these checklists.
ReplyDelete