Heightening Awareness On The Importance Of Using Multicultural Literature

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

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

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

Furthermore, themes and lessons are taught throughout school and should be nurtured by the right novels. Without these pieces the curriculum would not be the same. For instance, “To Kill a Mockingbird” was taken out of the English curriculum in the Biloxi school district due to inappropriate words used and the themes it talks about. Although, the book teaches crucial themes

Literature teaches cultural awareness that can foster an understanding and tolerance for others. It provides education for the whole person motivating people to use their imagination and be creative. Literature engages emotions and helps develop empathy for others. In addition to building a rich vocabulary it also fosters language awareness. Teacher pedagogy plays an important factor in making the decision on which titles to use. There are many advantages of using classic literature in the classroom. It aligns with the educational standards outlined in the Common Core standards to encourage rigorous English and Language arts skill development. It is a excellent match for the text complexity that students needs to attain these goals however, if students are not interested in the subject of these books or if they are not academically prepared to find success in the reading then the assignment can turn into a negative experience which can result in aliteracy. Modern young adult literature also has a plethora of advantage for students. More modernized characters and themes are easier for students to connect with and make it easier to build literacy skills and use literacy

Incorporating different cultures in books for children to learn about those cultures is important, but it is also just as important to show children of different cultures doing common activities to show that everybody is the same. Dr. Ramona talked about how there are many books that show how people struggled with escaping slavery, struggling with poverty, the cruelties of war, and similar hardships, and little showing characters being heros or doing simple tasks. This important to show children to teach them about past and current issues, but it is not an accurate representation of cultures. It only shows what they have gone through, but it does not show people of different races doing simple everyday activities. This is extremely important not only for the children of other races, but also for children of the race it is representing. It is important for children of other races to understand that people from other races do the same activities as they do, but it is also important to people that share the represented race because it gives them a role model that shares their race and shows them that they can do anything

It is important that schools offer students a deepened understanding of the world around them and many diverse cultural viewpoints. A wide selection in classroom literature gives students a foundation to examine other cultures and beliefs. With a unified curriculum, everyone (all the students in the country) are given at least a small exposure to the rest of the world. This idea is exemplified by Pirofski who addresses the importance of multicultural literature, “ the use of African- American folktales by the teacher...teach respect for African-American culture and affirm a child’s feeling of self-worth” (Source E). Not only can multicultural literature help a student's understanding of the world, it also helps the child find his or her place

While choosing multicultural literature the story should be interesting to the children, characters should represent the culture of the people, the illustrations should represent diversity, and most of all the books should be age appropriate.

The opposing positions in Chapter 11 talk about what kind of cultural curriculum should be taught is schools today. One side feels multiculturalism is important to teach students tolerance and compassion. The other side feels we are losing out on the American culture and worry about dividing our society. I will cover in the following paragraphs their views as each side tries to persuade the reader to see their side of this issue. This is a persuasive article by a credible author, with each side using examples and creditable sources to support their views.

Maya Angelou’s poignant statement, “history, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again” speaks to the growing need to bring diversity and respect into the educational environment. Forgetting the reasons for the conflicts of the past and ignoring the conversations of today will only help to sustain the current trend of negative discourse between certain communities. For English teachers, literature is, perhaps, one of the best ways to promote social values in race, ethnicity, gender expression, age, appearance, ability, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, community

Kong, A., & Fitch, E. (2002). Using Book Club to engage culturally and linguistically diverse learners in reading, writing, and talking about books. Reading Teacher, 56(4), 352.

Because many of these students are reading on levels below the 8th grade band the texts selected have slightly lower Lexile scores than you might expect to see in an 8th grade classroom. The themes in these texts are consistent with the theme of the unit and range from novels about students who face mistreatment due to prejudice to articles about certain groups in the United States who routinely face discrimination based on their identity. The different topics these texts cover, all centered around the same general theme, are sure to engage students because the issues they deal with are something that they can likely identify in their own lives and experiences.

Multicultural literature is a way of increasing cultural awareness. Through multicultural books many young readers are able to make a connection with their own culture