There was a question posed in one of my classes the other day that was asking how a teacher learns about diversity in their own classroom. This is what I think but I wanted to pose this question to you as well...
I think that in order to learn about diversity in the classroom a teacher should be asking questions. Diversity can be taught and learned through so many subjects. For example, if an objective for math is making charts and graphs the class could compile data on religion, holidays celebrated, and other aspects of the culture of the classroom. Although it is the teacher’s responsibility to lean about the diversity in the classroom, I think it is equally important for the students to see diversity among them and embrace that notion. If they are aware of their differences and similarities they are better able to understand each other on a higher level. This I believe promotes a classroom community.
As a teacher I think it is also important to understand where the children are coming from and know who are in that child’s life. In on of my class discussions we talked about how children may have adult responsibility at home so then they my have problems respecting authority at school. If a teacher did not know this, it would be easy to write that student off as having an attitude problem but in actuality it is much deeper than that.
What have you noticed about classroom diversity? This seems to be a huge topic for class discussion!
As a teacher I think it is also important to understand where the children are coming from and know who are in that child’s life. In on of my class discussions we talked about how children may have adult responsibility at home so then they my have problems respecting authority at school. If a teacher did not know this, it would be easy to write that student off as having an attitude problem but in actuality it is much deeper than that.
What have you noticed about classroom diversity? This seems to be a huge topic for class discussion!
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Sarah,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agreed with all of our thoughts on the topic of diversity in the classroom. Diversity is something so crucial to teach and learn about. After all, the United States is a melting pot of nations and this is exactly what our classrooms are/will be. My field placement now consists of many ethnicities—African American, Somalian, Hmong (Asian culture, but in my case from Thailand), Vietnamese, Cuban, and Caucasian. I have learned so much from all of them, and I love it! As you said, I think it is important to ask questions as a teacher. It helps build relationships between your students and shows that you truly car and want to know about them. My students now beam with smiles every time I ask them something about their native countries and languages. Building relationships and creating a strong, safe community of learners is the basis of a great learning environment. Who wants to learn from someone they do not trust or respect? Surely not me!
Cheers,
Kaitlyn
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI think your thoughts that you are having about diversity and what it means in the classroom is very important. I also think that it is good that you are questioning and wondering about diversity yourself. Through my four years at Michigan State University, I have found that is one of the most tossed around word (especially in the college of education). In the classroom, everyone wants to make sure the literature selection is diverse and that every learner is accounted for.
What I have gathered through four years is that I don't know what it truly knows what it means to have a perfectly diverse classroom. It seems as if it impossible to know where every student comes, experiences at home, or goes through on a daily basis. However, what I have learned is that it means supplying students with materials that no matter where they are coming from or go through, they are able to make it meaningful. It means that books, movies, communication should be able to relate to each students life in some ways. I am finding that in some schools this is an easier task from others. I mean, how do you incorporate a student’s home life when they come from parents who do drugs? Can you? (This is a topic that came up in my Teaching class). Just something else to think about for diversity in the classroom. It does go beyond ethnicity and cultural.
I think that your point about letting students see diversity amongst each other is fabulous! So often we focus on teachers being aware of classroom diveristy and knowing our students, but really it is just as important for students to know each other and their diversity. In one of my readings for TE, the point was made that children who are in urban schools (usually very diverse) need emotional support, exposure and changes in attitude towards edcuation. However, I believe that this claim can and should be made for all learners. I also agree with Kaitlyn's post about students needing to trust and repsect their teacher. If there is no trust, there can be no relationship, and with no relationship teachers will be very unsucessful connecting with their students. I believe that it's very important for teachers to show that we all have our differences and unique attributes. We should celebrate these differences, not look down at them or hide from them!
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