Diversity in the classroom Teacher Academy Diversity in the classroom Diversity is the one thing we all have in common!

Diversity in the classroom defined Having a diverse group of students simply means: Recognizing that all the people are unique in their own way. Our diverse differences consist mainly of: (for our purposes) Disability – physical and/or cognitive Race Cultural background Gender and sexuality Religion Socioeconomic status There has always been diversity in the classroom, but today it is important to embrace it and make positive use of it.

What educators must do: One of the most important skills we need to develop as educators is our ability to build on the knowledge that students bring into your classroom is background knowledge (schema) which is shaped by… Their family Their community and Their cultural histories

Race Related to biology or appearance - a person's skin color, physical features and hair color/type, etc. Ex: Black, White, Native American, Asian.

Culture A group’s ideas and ways of doing things – such as traditions, language, beliefs, and customs – that become a learned pattern of social behavior. For example, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by eating turkey and watching football. Germans have Octoberfest and have dancing, sausage and beer. Many Muslims have arranged marriages. Many Christians date and select their own mates. In Argentina, children put their shoes on the porch and look for gifts in them on Christmas Day. These are determined by their culture.

ethnicity Belonging to or membership in a particular racial, national, or cultural group and observance of that group's customs, beliefs, and language. For example, many minority groups in the United States maintain strong ethnic identity; especially in cities, immigrants are often attracted to ethnic communities established by people from their own country, communities in which many traditional cultural features are maintained.

Poster Activity follow-up What do many of the comments on the lists represent? Are they all true? Why? Why not? Where did these responses come from? What can we learn from this? It is important that we begin to become more conscious of the fact that we are often thinking “on automatic”. Stop and ask yourself if what we are thinking is a fact or a stereotype.

Recognize Recognize how we place self-imposed limits on the way we think. Discover that, in many ways, people from different cultures and backgrounds hold similar values and beliefs. Become more aware of our own cultural viewpoints and the stereotypes we may have inadvertently picked up. Accept and respect the similarities (not just the differences) in people.

Behavior There are some cultural variations in nonverbal and verbal behavior: Some cultures may find it rude to look a person in the eye when they are being spoken to (Middle Eastern and Asian) Some cultures do not require a “Mr.” or “Ms.” before an adult’s name Some cultures the female walks 1-2 steps behind the male Use of a finger or hand to indicate “come here please”. This is the gesture used to beckon dogs in some cultures and is very offensive. Some cultures it is acceptable to admire babies and young children and comment upon how cute they are. However, this is avoided in Vietnamese cultures for fear that these comments may be overheard by a spirit that will try to steal the baby or otherwise cause some harm to come to him or her.

Climate of inclusion Our history has shown along the way (slow – but sure…) Helping children to compare, contrast, and learn about other cultures and types of people from all walks of life without making judgments about them requires an attitude of acceptance and respect. As teachers lead children to respect others who are different, they will begin to appreciate individuality.  As children grow and mature with these attitudes, they will have social skills that not only accept, but also applaud individuality.

Connecting Diversity Unfortunately, it’s a ‘learned’ behavior Think about diversity in another way. There is a direct connection between the history of education and diversity as we know it today. Unfortunately, it’s a ‘learned’ behavior Early in time – rich, ‘normal’ white males controlled everything Then schools started opening to educated females Soon schools started serving the blind and deaf, the autistic and the learning disabled. Schools found a need to educate the very young (preschool/K) and the older (adult education) And people of color … And those without as many resources as others … And those without legal immigration paper work … And the list goes on and on………………

BUT…Who are these people?? Our family … and friends … and neighbors … and co-workers Everyone deserves the privilege of a “normal” life and an education!! Need 2-3 different colored eggs! See next slide!