The Non-Nuclear Family
This presentation aims to define a non-nuclear family structure and the impact that this family structure has on childrens’ physical, emotional, and academic well-being. The presentation defines a nuclear family structure in an effort to better understand what a non-nuclear family structure looks like. We explore the many diverse family structures that many of our students are living in. The group shares some surprising statistics about students and their familial backgrounds. These statistics also identify the number of risk factors present in children who do not live in a nuclear family environment. The presentation shares specific experiences that have been shared through our student teaching experiences during the last two years in the middle grades program. The presentation closes with sharing concrete ways for teachers to support students of non-nuclear families when they are in the classroom.
Presentation
Informative Narrative
Infographics
Resources
Young Adult Novel
The Young Adult (YA) novel Blended by Sharon M. Draper focuses on themes of identity, racism, family relationships, and divorce. Isabella is an eleven-year-old who has to navigate the world with her parents newly divorced and looking for new love. This novel is a great tool to incorporate into the classroom because the perspective is from experiences that they might face such as interracial families of divorce. Draper addresses complex topics and the emotional turmoil Isabella and her family faces in a fashion that is relevant and responsive to current young adolescents’ needs.