In Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids' Brains
and What Schools Can Do About It, veteran educator and brain expert
Eric Jensen takes an unflinching look at how poverty hurts children,
families, and communities across the United States and demonstrates how
schools can improve the academic achievement and life readiness of
economically disadvantaged students.
Jensen argues that although chronic exposure to poverty can result in
detrimental changes to the brain, the brain's very ability to adapt from
experience means that poor children can also experience emotional,
social, and academic success. A brain that is susceptible to adverse
environmental effects is equally susceptible to the positive effects of
rich, balanced learning environments and caring relationships that build
students' resilience, self-esteem, and character.
Drawing from research, experience, and real school success stories,
Teaching with Poverty in Mind reveals
* What poverty is and how it affects students in school;
* What drives change both at the macro level (within schools and
districts) and at the micro level (inside a student's brain);
* Effective strategies from those who have succeeded and ways to
replicate those best practices at your own school; and
* How to engage the resources necessary to make change happen.
Too often, we talk about change while maintaining a culture of excuses.
We can do better. Although no magic bullet can offset the grave
challenges faced daily by disadvantaged children, this timely resource
shines a spotlight on what matters most, providing an inspiring and
practical guide for enriching the minds and lives of all your students.