Children 's Literature Books : Children Of Different Cultures And Identities Essay

A multicultural classroom needs to provide a safe and accepting environment for successful learning, prevents prejudices and discriminations from the class, and have a strong cultural consciousness. (E.K. Garcia, 2016) To accomplish this, teachers should be integrating a diverse list of reading materials, introduce

“Start Where You Are But Don’t Stay There” by Richard Milner is a book about dealing with diversity in the classroom in today’s day and age. It holds a focus on allowing all students to be successful academically and throughout their lives. Milner talks about several different case studies in which teachers must help students who are struggling. It goes through scenarios with Mr. Hall, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Jackson, and Ms. Shaw, who are all struggling with diversity in different ways. This book holds an importance in expressing ideas and concerns of equality in schools, and I believe it would be beneficial for all aspiring educators to read it.

The story provided an excellent discussion of the many issues that surround race in schools, it centered on the topic about whether integrated schools were more beneficial than segregated schools. This book focuses on young children in the early grades, listening to parents and racial integration. The author wanted to find the truth that is surrounding multicultural classrooms from those that are involved in it. This book includes many side stories, which serve to explore the concepts, and displays them in a clear way; it also added depth to the book. This book was well written and shows all sides of multicultural education. It does not take one side in particular and it encourages people to explore multicultural education in a new light.

As mentioned in previous chapters the need to teach multiculturalism among young children. There are many misconceptions about multicultural teaching. For example, Bill Howe presents misconceptions about this theme and there were a few that were interesting such as, tour and detour approaches as appropriate in multicultural education. For example, Black history month is when many schools celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans. It is great to celebrate the accomplishments of the diverse population in the United States, but why celebrate it one a year. Maya Angelou once remarked that she will be glad when Black History Month is no longer necessary. When all Americans are sufficiently a part of our courses of study and daily instruction,

The book I chose to do an integrated unit on was The Skin You Live In by Michael Taylor with second grade students aged 7-8 years old. The big, colorful pages are vibrant and easy to absorb. This book delivers an important message about acceptance to young readers. It also has a great message that we are all different and the same and we should love ourselves for who we are. I have developed three activities that introduce concept explorations and challenge students to accept all cultures. It is very beneficial to involve learning students cognitively, emotionally, and physically. These lessons demonstrate learning experiences that are beneficial and relevant to children all over the world (Davis, 2011).

“Pioneer researcher, Florez-Tighe (1983), was one of the first educators to advocate the use of multicultural literature in school curriculum. Her research indicated that culturally authentic children’s literature enhances language development and thought processes of African-American children (Florez-Tighe, 1983)” (Pirofski). By having different cultures expressed to students in literature, they will more likely become more accepting and understanding of those who follow those customs. The languages expressed in the literature can also help strengthen the left frontal lobe of the brain which is the language dominant part of the

The “We Need Diverse Book” campaign is a campaign focuses on creating more diversity in children's books. Diversity isn't just race, it is people with disabilities, people apart of the LGBTQ community, etc. All children deserve to see themselves in books. Because when children don't see themselves in books they may not feel as connected to the human experience. At the same books are more than mirrors, they are windows full of opportunity. Not only is it important for children to see themselves in books, but it is also important for them to read about people who are not like them. It is only then that will will understand the world around us.

Our two authors, Richard Rodriguez and Sherman Alexie, are very well respected for their respective works on minority education. Richard Rodriguez is the author of the novel The Hunger of Memory, his personal autobiography. In this deeply personal and emotional work, Rodriguez explains how his education brought him success, but created a large rift between his Mexican heritage and culture and himself. On the other hand, Sherman Alexie is Native American author who wrote the essay “Superman and Me.” In the essay, Alexie explains how his love of books began his education, the hardships that followed being an intelligent Indian, and how his education has brought meaning to his life. To both of these authors, the most important subject in these literary works is their education as minorities, and the success resulting from this education. In The Hunger of Memory, Rodriguez focuses on themes of how education can be beneficial, but at the same time cause separation from one’s original identity. “Superman and Me” visits themes of caring for others and how success is achievable by anyone. Each author sheds a different light on the education of minorities, but they share similar thoughts in theory. Education can bring an individual great success, but with this enlightenment comes the responsibility of understanding what the world truly contains.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Diversifying our culture in the world is extremely critical in order to propel to a brighter, better, and fairer future. This became quite essential since the rapid technological advancements led us into the new age of having a globalized society. To keep multicultural alive for future days to come, we must teach our younger generation, specifically the children, about its history and impact in our lives. What other better way to do this than to incorporate cultural diversity in children’s books. These books are the best way a child can gain an understanding about oneself and about the world around them.

They will consistently need to be reminded that all people, no matter their background, need to be treated fairly and with respect. They will need to be educated as to how to solve a cultural misunderstanding in the most humane way possible. Portraying those who have immigrated to this country in an inclusive and positive light is paramount as our students are being exposed to so much propaganda that may influence them in ways that are not as favorable to all populations. To connect with this theme in class, students could read other books about families that have immigrated to the United States and how that has impacted them. Rukhsana has a multitude of books that could be added to this type of genre study. Even though she does not mention this book directly, it is so eloquently stated that we need stories like this when Grace Cornell Gonzales states within the text Rethinking Multicultural Education, “if we want to provide literature that helps children understand their world better and realize that they are not alone in the ways they feel and the problems they face, it is important to critically analyze children’s books about immigration” (p.

Brooks and McNair (2009) begin their essay by pointing out that in children’s literature rarely are main characters African American and written by African American authors. Several African American authors were rejected by publishers because their work did not fit the publisher’s idea of what an African American family should look like. One unfortunate example of this is when a publisher wanted the father to be edited out of a story written by an African American. The author had to fight for the right to keep the father in the story. Stories like this are common for African American authors. African Americans have been marginalized in children’s literature when they are omitted and stereotyped.

This novel was a 4 year long research in culturally diverse school district that examines the inconsistency of placement of African American and Hispanic students in special education. This author Beth Harry and Janette Klingner present research - based stories that represent culturally and linguistically diverse students who fall short and are perceived to have impairments. Throughout the book Harry and Klingner studies / observes the children’s experiences,

And, although preschool administrators have a desire to begin increasing the amount of multicultural materials in the center as well as train the staff on ways to incorporate a child’s culture into the learning environment, it has been found that teaching practices are notoriously slow to change (Hooven & et al., 2018). By conducting literature research, examining the current practices at Kiddie Academy, and meeting with the center’s staff, it is hoped that new and innovative ways to celebrate diversity will be found and agreed upon by staff members. Since collaboration is crucial to the implementation of anti-bias curriculum in order for students to learn about their own culture and those of people who are different from them, communicating the results of the study will increase the chances of finding additional ways to up productivity, provides access to new sources of information, present opportunities to learn and go beyond traditional ways of thinking, problem solving, and forming partnerships as teachers and administrators begin to see positive results from the trainings, acknowledgement and celebration of diversity, and anti-bias curriculum being put into action. It is critical for early childhood teachers to promote culturally inclusive classrooms and experiences and provide learning materials and other resources that help children develop a greater appreciation of

This week’s readings indicate that diversity impacts adolescent literacy and content learning in many ways. In the article, “The Changing Faces of Diversity” Noni Mendoza Reis and Sylvia Méndez suggest that when the needs of diverse students are fulfilled their self-esteem and academic achievement improves. Administrators should promote cultural diversity in their schools if they want to have students from diverse backgrounds feel safe and comfortable. Teacher should promote cultural diversity in their classrooms if they want to have students become confident and skilled readers and writers. When students feel valued and respected they will develop a sense of ownership in their classroom and school. In the video clip “Culturally Responsive

There are many factors that play a role in the learning process for every human being. Race, religion, language, socioeconomics, gender, family structure, and disabilities can all affect the ways in which we learn. Educators must take special measures in the delivery of classroom instruction to celebrate the learning and cultural differences of each of their students. As communities and schools continue to grow in diversity, teachers are searching for effective educational programs to accommodate the various learning styles of each student while promoting acceptance of cultural differences throughout the classroom. It no longer suffices to plan educational experiences only for middle-or upper class white learners and then