Teaching diverse students
Teaching diverse studentsThesis Statement
The purpose of this research paper is to discuss the increasing need for multi-cultural education incorporation into the classroom. And to investigate the teaching techniques of elementary school teachers and adaptations that can and should be made in order to increase the knowledge level of diversity among the students in the classroom.
Definitions
There are many definitions of multi-cultural education. The one most used and most relevant, I believe to this topic and today’s educational society is:
“An education free of inherited biases, with freedom to explore other perspectives and cultures, inspired by the goal of making children sensitive to the purity of the ways of life, different modes of analyzing experiences and ideas, and ways of looking at history found throughout the world.”(Gay, 25 May 1994)
This definition is the most descriptive one found because it mentions the goal of sensitizing children to understanding diversity and the other children around them. Young children need to be exposed to the teachings about cultures other than their own. Many kids only know about their own cultures and it is imperative to their futures that they are educated about the other students around them. Children need to grow up in a world without having any prejudice towards others.
Teaching which disregards diversity places students at a disadvantage by reducing their capacity to learn. An inclusive curriculum which acknowledges, respects and responds appropriately to student diversity, can contribute to:
enhanced learning outcomes for a greater number of students
validation of student experiences and world views
developing international skills, cross-cultural perspectives, respect for different values and learning styles, and other skills useful in a diverse global environment (Lee, 4 Mar. 1999)
Parental Effect
From the day a child is born, they are raised into the cultures of their parents. A child is taught their native language and about their cultural beliefs. Different cultures eat different foods, have their own way of dressing and speaking, and possess many other distinct cultural aspects. Children grow up questioning and understanding many aspects of their background and many times aren’t subjected to other cultures. It is up to a child’s parents to be the first teachers of multi-cultural education.
Many times parents are bias to their own culture and way of life. There is a lot of discrimination in the world and many parents teach their children to discriminate against others. Part of the job as a parent is to teach their children right from wrong and this includes learning about and accepting people for who they are, regardless of their color or race. “Studies by Glock and others have shown that the more children understand about stereotyping, the less negativism they will have toward other groups” (Ramsey, 1998, p.62). This is common sense to most educators and parents.
Teacher Views
The increase in diversity among the...
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