A Review of Landsmans Article, Bearers of Hope- Giving...

In her article, Bearers of Hope, Julie Landsman (2006) reviews the tools and techniques that educators must have to be successful when teaching students that have poor living conditions. The number of students living at poverty level or below poverty level condition is rising. These students do not have access to the resources that other children may be able to obtain. Due to this factor, people seem to place limitations on students that have no control over the circumstances in which they have been placed. These children are capable of learning and succeeding. Teachers have to believe in the potential of their students and make accommodations for each student’s situation. Landsman found that the successful teachers†¦show more content†¦It is very important that children feel safe in the classroom environment. A large number of children find that school is the only â€Å"stable† place they have to go. Students also need to be given a voice within the classroom. Given the fact that children do not have much power over their lives outside school, they feel a sense of worth when they are given the chance to speak and be heard. A great deal of information can be obtained by just listening to these children. In today’s classroom, teachers do much more than just teach. They are counselors, nurses, role models and more. Landsman found that very seldom will you find a classroom in which the basic needs of children are met. It is very important for teachers to focus on ways to enrich the education given to disadvantaged students. When I read this article, I began to think of inclusion. I have researched the different ways that exceptional students could be accommodated in the classroom. Those same accommodations can be made for children that are disadvantaged. I think it is very important to give students every opportunity possible to learn. There are a number of methods that I agree with that were introduced to me in t his article. I agree that flexibility is needed within the classroom. Taking time to learn about your students is required to make appropriate accommodations. Children need to be heard in the classroom. A sense of security