Classroom Literature Synthesis Essay

The author argues that American education needs to start focusing more on teaching students all cultures and

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

he short anecdote above accurately represents the situation of many students across the globe. Throughout the last decade, technology had exploded in a way so immensely that nothing and nobody can stop it. Not even educators. This is why taking the easy way out of assignments has become such a frequently used method by students everywhere. It is evident that students of this generation have become complacent in a “short-cut” society.

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,

“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

After reading the definition of culturally responsive, I have discovered that neither of my schools is culturally responsive. With the increase of diversity in both schools, administrators and teachers will need to increase their knowledge as well as resources in order to aid these students. Until teachers are formally trained, it is my hope that they will at least incorporate one of Banks’ “five dimensions of multicultural education.” (Banks, 1993) During social studies and science lessons, teachers can incorporate the content integration dimension. In this dimension teachers can tell students “various isolated facts about heroes from diverse groups.” (Banks, 1993) With the knowledge construction

Martha Nussbaum’s argument in her article “Education for Profit, Education for Freedom” carries the message that each person is equal, no matter where they are or where they came from (Nussbaum 8, 13). Within her argument she embraces the fact that compassion is not a limited characteristic. If a person were to fully take the persona of compassion, then it would not be restrained to one type of person, and whether that is gender, race, or ethnicity, people need to experience this interaction of a world different than their own (13). Yet, how do people come to learn of these other nationalities that aren’t their own if they are not placed in the middle of it? Tim Gillespie, even goes on to support the idea of knowing more than just what is around a person, in his article, “Why Literature Matters,” when he states that “literature offers students diversity that their neighborhood may not” (Gillespie 2). Only through literature can this compassion be extended to all regions, a unified concern for not just one, but for the whole world (Nussbaum

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.

How to best prepare for a Calculus/Physics test? Many college professors would recommend students to practice a variety of challenging problems. However, those problems often require students to use logical thinking and be able to apply multiple concepts to solve, and each can take from a couple minutes to an hour. Not many students can dedicate all of their time to one course, especially if they have other courses’ assignments as well. One good thing, at Everett Community College, students can get help with homework and prepare for their test in the Annex tutoring center, a center that is specifically for advanced Mathematics and Physics. If there’s one thing that prevents students from getting the maximum benefits from the center is that

Gaining learning and experience about other cultures background will enrich my multicultural knowledge. Therefore, as an educator I must learn about others culture. As I begin to learn about others cultures I will understand how values influence the ways families interpret the instruction that feels right to them. A close study on Figure 3.1 implies that a teacher’s point view or the way the students are treaty can affect their learning. It keeps narrating the story of a teacher that had to learn her students’ roots, their culture values, to get to know them in order to reach them in an academically level. The cultural values are very important and cannot be overlooked, they shape our intrinsic motivation. Many families try to keep their values and belief intact at home, so their children when they step in a classroom. Monica Brown, is the Department editor of Diversity Dispatch, argues in her article, Educating All Students: Creating Culturally Responsive Teachers, Classrooms, and Schools, that nowadays it is noticeable the diversity growths in schools, however, this is not the problem. The problem is the way teachers have responded to the diversity growth. (Brown, M. 2007). Therefore, this will affect the students learning. Brown cross with a strong point in regarding the lack of sensitivity some educators show towards their students’ culture. As educator I don’t want to be one of many teachers Monica Brown speaks on her article. I will understand that I must respect my

Mary Louise Pratt did well to propose an integration of the western culture that has been so imposed in the reading materials with a multicultural blend of curriculum contents. This is what Appiah advocated for that for good and amicable relations among different communities, there should be a commitment of exploring the cultures of other societies and tolerance in learning them in order for people of different cultures to live well with one another (Pratt, 1991).

Children books are a great way to promote diversity and provide information other than depending on teachers, parents, and television. Children books are invaluble to our children and society as they mold our society's education and written language. They resonate the temperament in our society about diversity and various social identities, such as race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, and disabilities. Information young children retrieve from books, primary sources, and the media heavily influence their mental image of themseleves and others. Quality books have the ability to reinforce or undermine children’s acknowledgement of their characteristics, teach distinct/deludeding information about people of various identities,

Education is one of the most important factors in every person’s life regardless of where they’re from, their race, or their culture. Becoming educated not only makes life easier for us but also can help people become more successful in all things. However with so many people of various races, ethnicities and backgrounds in the United States it is difficult to create an education system that attends to each student’s individual culture. Ones own culture influences their actions and lifestyle, therefore this can create conflict if it is different from their schools cultural teaching style. Multicultural and multilingual classrooms have become the norm in many educational and professional settings throughout the U.S. because of changing immigration patterns caused by globalization (Institute for Educational Leadership, p. 2). For teachers today, it is essential to understand the role of culture and have the ability to interact interculturally in the classroom to create an effective learning environment. Analyzing cultural issues or differences can help teachers to understand some of the unconscious processes that shape individuals’ actions and interactions, as well as their language use and communication. “Teachers who understand cultural diversity…are more likely to be successful in their multicultural classrooms” (Samovar, Pg.2).

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