https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs In this subtopic, I will delve into the problems associated with children that have a parent or parents who have been incarcerated. Included are resources that teachers can use to encourage classwide conversations, one on one discussions with a child in need, resources to help teachers better understand incarceration and its effects on children, as well as resources teachers can provide to classroom parents/guardians if needed. en-us 2017-05-06 21:14:43 UTC 2025-09-12 04:13:46 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329065 This book discusses a young girl who is forbidden by her mother to tell anyone else that her father has been thrown in jail. Jenna travels to visit her father often, and performs a heroic deed that is run in the newspaper; revealing her secret. Jenna is constantly ashamed and frightened of the secret, and is forced to fight for her family's pride.]]> 2017-05-06 21:17:44 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329065 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329143 This is a picture book that depicts young children who have experienced a parent being arrested and put in jail. In this day and age there are a lot of issues with law enforcement, and if a parent is arrested a child can think negatively of law officials. If these views do not change kids could be hesitant to reach out when they need help, or be afraid of those who help our society. 

ACTIVITY:
After reading this novel, the teacher should led the students in a discussion about law enforcement and how they help our community. Students can use an online program such as Glogster to create a presentation about the benefits of law enforcement. Teachers should encourage students to use the picture book in their presentation. They should address why some children may be afraid if their parents are taken, and include a section about helping those kids to not be afraid ]]> 2017-05-06 21:20:29 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329143 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329258 With jail associated with negativity, many forget that visiting days can bring joy to inmates as well as their family and friends. Just because someone makes a mistake and has been incarcerated, it does not mean that the joy of being reconnected with a loved one should not be looked down upon. This book really expresses the emotions of a family experiencing incarceration and showed me another side of incarceration that I had not previously thought of.

ACTIVITY:
Ask children to create a book about their visits with a parent(s) in prison. Encourage them to write as many positive thoughts and words as possible. The teacher should have the students include what they are looking forward to, a countdown to the next time they will get to visit their parent(s), and pictures of their favorite memories. Teachers should make copies of these books so the child can bring them on the next visiting day.]]> 2017-05-06 21:24:15 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329258 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329337 While this is not a traditional picture book, I found this discussion guide and loved what it provides! While it is aimed for teachers, it includes a book for read aloud, discussion topics, advice for those who are caretakers for a child affected, and counseling related activities.]]> 2017-05-06 21:27:14 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329337 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329477 This book, that is conveniently able to be colored, helps children explore the vocabulary related to incarceration. It teaches children new important words (such as "b" for bars) and helps them to stay up to date with what is happening to their parents. What I especially loved about this coloring book is that all types of people (gender, race, etc) are represented and no stereotypes are encouraged!

ACTIVITY:
Now that the children have learned the ABCs of incarceration, the teacher should help children to create their own ABC book about themselves and what they have been up to. One of the main issues with incarceration is that parents and children are worried the other will miss big moments in their lives. By creating this book, incarcerated parents can keep up with their child's life, and the children can feel satisfied that their parents are staying involved in their own, unique way.]]> 2017-05-06 21:31:18 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329477 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329653 This Sesame Street video does a great job at explaining what incarceration is in a kid-friendly way. It focuses on how children can be positive about their situations, and deal with them in a healthy way.

ACTIVITY:
Have the students write letters to their parent(s) who is incarcerated. Encourage them to include positive thoughts and words to help them deal with their emotions. Have the students tell their parents how much they love them and how important they are to them. If this is done with a whole class, have students write a letter to a family member who needs some extra support or love.]]> 2017-05-06 21:36:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329653 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329739 This guidebook, provided by Sesame Street, includes a story about a young girl whose dad is in jail, so her uncle takes her to an open house night.  She is upset when her peers call her uncle her daddy, and misses her father dearly.

Discussion Questions:
a. How would you feel if everyone else got to see their parent(s) each day and you did not?
b. How do you think Jada feels about bringing her uncle to her classroom?
c. How does her uncle make her feel better?
d. How can you help a classmate who has an incarcerated parent(s)?]]> 2017-05-06 21:40:30 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329739 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329904 This short documentary discussed the struggles faced when children have parents who are in jail, specifically mothers. There are real interviews with inmates and video footage of the joy and sadness that comes with visiting days. This video can really help teachers to understand how hard (on both children and parents) incarceration is, as well as open the eyes of all those who interact with a child dealing with incarceration. ]]> 2017-05-06 21:45:14 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170329904 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330005 This video does a great job of illustrating the great lengths families must go through in order to visit an incarcerated parent. The animation shows the journey to the prison, how scary a prison can be, the struggle of only being able to communicate through glass, and how sad it is to not have a parent at home. ]]> 2017-05-06 21:48:49 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330005 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330074 What I love about this website is that it breaks down the effects of incarceration on children, as well as provides resources for a number of people. There are subtopic included that provide advice and additional resources to parents/caregivers, law enforcement, teachers and social workers. ]]> 2017-05-06 21:50:56 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330074 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330191 This website provides resources (support groups, fact sheets, etc) to help families cope with incarceration. This can help teachers gain perspective, or can be given to a parent/caregiver who is struggling. Additionally, this web page can be used to help with student research (higher level elementary school)]]> 2017-05-06 21:54:24 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330191 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330283 A wonderful way to incorporate community into a classroom discussion on incarceration could be by asking your local police station to send an officer to your school to discuss the issue. These officers have direct experience with arrests and young children dealing with divorce. They can offer new perspectives to faculty and students alike, as well as offer some comfort to the students who are struggling!]]> 2017-05-06 21:58:04 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330283 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330458 If there is a student who has a parent(s) in jail, the teacher can set up a letter writing campaign to help involve that child's family into the classroom. After being given permission from the family (as well as the parent in prison), children in the class can all write letters about their classroom, the parent's child, or positive notes of encouragement. Not only will this help the parent, but it will help destigmatize that child's world, and help them to feel included.]]> 2017-05-06 22:04:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330458 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330544 A great idea to help a child struggling with incarceration could be setting up a countdown jar in the classroom. Fill a mason jar full of candy for child. The amount of candy should be equal to the number of days until either the parent is released, or the next visiting day (up the the digression of the teacher and/or family involved). Each day the child removes a candy and enjoys it. Not only will this take away the stigma of that child's family, but will reward the child's patience/keep them excited to see their parent(s).]]> 2017-05-06 22:07:27 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170330544 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170332498 2017-05-06 23:19:35 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170332498 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170332503 2017-05-06 23:19:50 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170332503 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170397541 This book shows the story of a young boy whose father is arrested and put in jail. It describes what to expect, and helps children to prepare themselves for the road ahead. 

ACTIVITY
While children often have many uncertainties about incarceration, their families and caregivers are experiencing similar things. After gaining permission from the family, set up a journal with the student. The student can write entries about their feelings, fears, etc. At night the student will bring it home and their family members can write back to them; answering questions or sharing their own emotions.
Hopefully, this will help the child to feel more at peace and bond the family members together in this hard time.

]]> 2017-05-07 23:40:16 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170397541 hpgirl613 https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170397848 This is another great website that outlines specifically what teachers can do to help students with an incarcerated parent]]> 2017-05-07 23:45:42 UTC https://padlet.com/hpgirl613/n0x1b7t6hajs/wish/170397848