Multicultural education and diversity in the classroom are important for several reasons. Students learn best when they feel safe, trusted, and able to freely express themselves. For example, a school once failed to embrace a Chinese student's native language, but the parents fought for and obtained bilingual programs. It is also important for teachers to teach about different cultures, as shown by a middle school teacher teaching about a Native American tribe. Overall, embracing diversity in schools helps students of all backgrounds feel included and prepares both students and teachers for a multicultural society.
4. Is it a safe or hostile environment: Does the student feel safe Trusting adults and peers Is it a place of learning for self expression Classroom Environment http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_beaver/4343206061/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3387327059/
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6. An example; A Chinese Language Case Study Student’s role: no opportunity to speak or learn Chinese, their Native language was not embraced by school Parent’s role: fought for bilingual programs School’s role: official language English, bilingual programs have been replaced by NCLB Language, Bilingualism, Identity
7. Middle school teacher makes an effort to teach class about a Native American Tribe: Continue…..”Teaching Respect for Diversity: The Oglala Lakota”
10. Project TEAM Project Transformative Education Achievement Model “effort to prepare teachers of culturally diverse student populations” Three Themes of TEAM’s Seminars A sense of community with minority student peers Developing a stronger sense of ethnic identity Working for social justice through multicultural education Recruitment of Minority Teachers
11. “The melting pot of American education has roots in the beginning of early America….Whether they were immigrants, slaves, Indigenous, or Founding Fathers, all of our ancestors had contributions that helped shape America. Right-wing, left-wing, religious, independent gay/lesbian, migrant workers, or none-of-the-above, all backgrounds are present in American public schools today, Embrace Diversity.” NetawnKiogima Conclusion,
12. Pass, Susan. Teaching Respect for Diversity: The Oglala Lakota.Social Studies 100 no5 S/O 2009 Heldref Publications Ramirez, A.Y. Ethnic Minorities and Teaching.Multicultural Education 16 no4 Summer 2009 Wang, Yuxiang. Language, Parents’ Involvement, and Social Justice. The Fight for Maintaining Minority Home Language, A Chinese-Language Case Study. Multicultural Education 16 no4 Summer 2009 References
Hinweis der Redaktion
Multicultural Education and diversity in the classroom, by NetawnKiogima
Why is multicultural education and diversity important? Well, for several reasons; students come from different backgrounds. Student’s background and ethnicity should be shared and valued by each other. With a greater understanding for each other, they will learn to respect different worldviews and perspectives. The classroom result would be gaining and sharing knowledge.
Diversity promotes a broader and more equal education with a student-centered classroom. A student who is in anexcludedand uncomfortable classroom may feel strange and unwelcome, thus being ashamed of who they are. A student who is in an inclusive and welcoming classroom will feel safe and familiar with his/her classmates and teacher and feel proud of who they are.
The classroom environment can make a huge difference for students to express themselves and positively affect on their behavior. An ideal classroom environment should feel safe with trusting peers and teachers.
Diversity acceptance and a positive learning environment will encourage more effective learning.
Students with a diverse background will have a second or minority language from home, a Native language. In this example, the student’s ethnic background was not included in their American education. Their parents and community felt discriminated against because the only options were European languages, Spanish and French. They did not feel supported by the school because bilingual programs were replaced by the No Child Left Behind act, which concentrates on English literacy only.
Some examples of classroom diversity efforts were through a middle school in Texas. The teacher integrated Oglala Lakota culture, a Native American tribe, into some of her curriculum. The outcome was broader knowledge and respect of other cultures.
Here are some examples of including cultural literature, dance and arts to promote diversity and understanding.
The impact on K-12 education is the positive effects diversity creates in classroom communities. Embracing student diversity has a chain reaction of respect, higher self-esteem, self-confidence, which helps students to learn better and more effectively.
Another factor in diversity in the classrooms is lack of minority and ethnic teachers. Project Team from Indiana University has gone to great measures to recruit minority and ethnic students for teaching programs. Project Team’s outcomes have been ,a sense of community, stronger sense of ethnic diversity and promoting multicultural education