1. Why is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs relevant to the field of education? How could not addressing basic needs affect children’s performance in school? Maslow’s hierarchy of needs lists the basic needs that any human needs for survival. How can a starving student sitting in class think about anything other than food. If the need of hunger and sleep are not addressed a student might as well stay at home. If for example breakfast is offered before class begins, then the student will have the fuel they need to pay attention in class and focus on the information being taught to them.
2. How did living in poverty affect the children’s friendships and their self-esteem? Kaylie struggled with maintaining her friends when her mom was forced to leave their home and move into a motel. She had to leave her friends behind causing the friendships to suffer. Brittany was bullied due to her poverty. Her classmates would pass notes in class discussing Brittany’s level of poverty. This in turn led to her expulsion from middle school. Poverty prevented her from having friends at all. With the lack of friendships and dropping out of schools they kids were feels a low sense of accomplishment.
3. Why was Brittany Smith bullied in middle school? How did the bullying affect her performance in school? Brittany was bullied for being poor and that caused her get in trouble and led to her eventual expulsion from middle school..
4. What are the youths’ fears about and aspirations for the future? Many of them have similar fears and that is that they will be stuck in the cycle of poverty that they were born into to. Johnny hopes to get into LSU and play football. Brittany wants to study art. Tyler wants to go back and graduate high school or get his GED.
5. Why is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs relevant to the field of education? How could not addressing basic needs affect children’s performance in school?
6. Why was Brittany Smith bullied in middle school? How did the bullying affect her performance in school?
