Blog 5: Discussing Poverty

I created a program that I am spear heading in my classroom this year to teach my students about the Holiday Season and that we all are not from the same walks of life.  That not everyone will get an iPod or new video games this Christmas.  There are those out there that would cherish a jacket to stay warm on those cold mornings here in Arizona.  So I created a gently used jacket drive to help promote the idea of giving to others and thinking of others before themselves during this Holiday season.  I have created some discussion already in the classroom and my students seem really excited. The idea that children will come to school in a warm coat to start the day off sets a tone for the rest of their day. 
The idea that not everyone around you in class comes from the same background is something that can be very hard for students to understand and even more in a special education setting.  Students need to know and understand that no matter the background, if others live in a house with four other families or they share clothes to make things work...that's ok.  We do not judge on that, we are at school to learn and to grow.  Not to judge.  I teach a lot about respect and everyone being equal in my classroom and to always be supportive of each other and that includes the fact that we do not all come from the same background.  I hope that in teaching respect, kindness, and equality it helps my students grow to understand no matter where they are to always treat people fairly and to never look down on someone for what they might or might not have.