Baby steps

Let me preface by saying that I have never blogged before, so if this works, I will be happy!

I am responding to the student who will not do homework at all and had a rough home life, if you can call it a home life.
It will be difficult for a student to see how doing homework will impact his/her life now if the living conditions are not up to par. This is a tough issue, and I might not know the correct answer. I do know that it will be something that will not happen overnight. A student will not see the importance of schoolwork because his/her basic needs are not being met. Until the basic needs are met, how can a student possibly focus on schoolwork?

An idea that might help, and it depends on the situation. The teacher could talk to the students alone and mention people like Einstein or other people who had to overcome obstacles in order to be successful. It is just a thought.
I think the student can take baby steps in order to see the importance of school work. Maybe the students will not fully comprehend the importance of school until a few years from now. Who knows. But there is one thing we do know...Provide a safe place for the student now. The student will remember and appreciate what you do for him/her.

Jill