Diverse Socioeconomic Field Experience

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This paper will be discussing a recent fifteen hour field experience I participated in which I observed students of diverse socioeconomic groups. I will be discussing how I have a better understanding of how a student’s socioeconomic status influence their behavior and actions in the classroom. I will discuss any prejudices/discriminations I observed in the classroom based on socioeconomic diversity. I will also describe how this experience has made me determined to try to create a positive learning environment for students with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in the classroom.

Keywords: Experience, socioeconomic group, diversity
Diverse Socioeconomic Field Experience Report My field experience was completed at Isanti Intermediate
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I have read about how socioeconomic statuses affect the students in the classroom, but actually experiencing it in the classroom made me realize how real the problem can be. As I interacted with the students, it became quite obvious which students were of the lower socioeconomic status (LES). In discussions, students gave lots of information about themselves and their family lifestyle. Many students discussed how their families lack income (could not afford school supplies, snacks etc.), lack time (not getting home early enough to do homework because they are at some sort of daycare facility), lack food choices (it is quicker and cheaper to pick up candy for snacks at the gas station), lack of family (a few of the students were in foster care), etc. Many of those students realized that school is a very important part of their lifestyle (needing to learn to get a better job, etc.), but for most of them it is a struggle to be academically successful. I spent my time working with students who needed extra help to understand the work and to catch up with homework. Majority of those students could be classified …show more content…
I learned that I have to make sure that I reflect/address any issues that I might have that could hinder classroom cohesiveness. I realized that if I have a better understanding of students with lower socioeconomic status and I learn how to address the issues they are facing I can promote better self-esteem for them and help build positive relationships with classmates without biases, discrimination, or prejudices. After researching socioeconomics in the classroom I learned many things that I can do as a teacher to enhance a positive learning environment to lower socioeconomic groups. I learned that giving students extra physical activities reduces issues associated with poor nutrition, incorporate daily vocabulary activities to improve vocabulary deficits, try to make connections to the student’s world, try to use positive affirmations every day, set high reachable goals, focus on core academic skills, teach coping skills for daily stressors they may encounter, and offer yourself as a strong, positive caring adult they can depend on (Jenson,

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