Poverty in the

Classroom
Kennedy Werre and Courtney Henry

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2r55tAOXAc

What is poverty?
The state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support, where
people are unable to obtain basic needs of living such as, food, shelter,clothing, and
water.

ThE issue- Poverty wIthin

Poverty exists
not just in third
the
Classroom
world countries, but also in
Canada.
We must create opportunities
for students living in poverty
to be successful with not only
their education, but also the
rest of their lives.

Statistics
2013 - 1 out of 5 Canadian children live in poverty.
(1,334,930 children in need).
Poverty Report Card:
15.8% poverty rates in 1989 with an increase to 19%
in 2013.
Poverty rates for Indigenous children at 40%.
One 3rd of childrens parents obtain full time, yearround employment.
1 in 7 of Canadians who use homeless shelters are
children.

RElation to Education
Three major factors in which
poverty affects and challenges the
education of such students include:
Emotional
Social
Behavioural

Suggestions for Teachers

1.Health and Nutrition
2.Relationships

HEalth and Nutrition

Nutrition plays an important role
in child development
Its harder for students to listen,
concentration, and learn.
Poor diets also affect behaviour.

What you can do

Have snacks at the ready if
needed
Recess and physical
education
Physical activity plays an
important role

Relationships
The importance of building
relationships
Positive comments
Loving the students

What you can do

Children with unstable home lives are particularly in need of strong,
positive, caring adults.

Questions?

References
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may13/vol70/num08/How-Pover
ty-Affects-Classroom-Engagement.aspx
//globalnews.ca/news/2360311/nearly-1-in-5-canadian-children-living-in-poverty-report
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528798/
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109074/chapters/How-Poverty-Affects-Behavior
-and-Academic-Performance.aspx