in Chicago the board of education started a new program to expand free breakfast to all students in elementary schools. Prior to this program is was only students from low income house holds that received this benefit. Some of the complaints that arose from the start of this program is that 10-15 minutes a day will be spend eating and not learning. The other is where the $41 million will come from to fund this new program.
I believe that this program of offering free breakfast to all students is a step in the right direction for learning in the classroom. Psychologist Abraham Maslow states in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs that food and water are 2 important keys of the foundation of learning. If a student has not eaten then the chance of that student being able to learn according to Maslow is significantly decreased. By providing food for all students allows you as a teacher to know tat your students are well feed and have more potential to learn. Think about when your hungry, how do you function?
No doubt. However, you do not really answer the two main concerns you rightfully raise:
ReplyDelete1. Can you empirical demonstrate that efficiency is not lost when providing time for breakfast (probably an easier one)?
2. How do you justify funding breakfast, even for those not in need, when the rest of the school budget is getting sliced and whacked?
Thanks.