The Middle Of Everywhere Summary

Overall the book was a good read and touched on some various topics that are discussed in our class.

The children who live in your neighborhood are the ones that will be playing with your children. Wouldn’t you want to know where that child’s family is coming from? We need talk to those around us who are from dissimilar cultures and ethnicities. Awareness of other cultures also helps to endorse personal growth by making you confront conventional typecasts about other cultures and learn how to interconnect with people of different cultures.

The benefits of promoting and valuing cultural diversity within a school setting is extremely important as children and young people will learn to understand all the different cultures and respect them. Learning about different cultures and religions helps a young mind broaden and see that no matter what culture, race or ethnicity another person is they still have equal rights and opportunities and can achieve the same goals as each other. For example, many people see all Indian/Pakistani adults as doctors, this is a common form of stereotyping and if an English child is lead to believe that this is only the case then they may not want to follow that career path due to feeling that they are not allowed. Within my setting we promote cultural diversity within our resources, this means that when we show our pupils books or home-made resources to help assist them with their learning we always try to ensure that all ethnic backgrounds and abilities are shown

Today, becoming culturally aware at an early age will create more conflict in the future regarding racism. Teaching that we all are all different from one another will only do each other harm in the long run. If Americans do teach multiculturism, the minds of younger children would evolve to think it would be awesome to be a certain race and uncool to be another. It is important for students to understand that it is okay to affiliate with different cultures and learn from them. To learn from another is to grow as a person and be successful in life. According to the past, when racism was prominent in society, Americans are actually doing well in becoming more diverse. More people are learning how to work with others and respect others’ ideals.

Culture is not a fixed phenomenon, nor is it the same in all places or to all people. It is relative to time, place, and particular people. Learning about other people can help us to understand ourselves and to be better world citizens.

Cultural tendencies have a huge impact on the way children tend to participate in educational activities. The ethnicity of a child may change the way that teacher view a child. Suppose you had an Asian child in previous years who was quiet and reserved. You get a new child, you expect this one to be the same way, but he is not. We as teachers have to learn that each child is their own individual self, and they do not act the same way, no matter what race, gender, or social status they are.

We all have a sense of cultural identity, which is clearly defined by our values, behaviours and beliefs that develop from childhood. A classroom literally or as a metaphor, filled with students from different backgrounds is very beneficial as it helps learners understand and appreciate cultural differences, as they develop responsiveness of their cultural beliefs.

Teachers must learn about their student’s cultures if they want to educate them to the best of their ability. Many of the students in culturally diverse classrooms will want to learn in different ways. Some will want to learn in pairs, groups, as a class, or just alone. If the teacher is educated in their culture then lessons can be adjusted to appeal to every student as much as possible instead of forcing some to forget about their culture and learn like others. Students from

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

I still can't believe we finished the book. This book was a really eye opening for everyone. Reading every chapter made me reflect about each story and think more depper of the things we have to do as a multicultural educator. Having the little discussions in class makes me see more into the problems we have now days at schools and what we have to do to change those. learned

Being an international student, I identified most with the chapter on the cultural sensitivity and diversity of our society. Lately I have encountered various people from different countries with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. This experience has shaped my view on communication and opened my mind

In this and your other readings for this class session, what did you find to be the most

As an educator it is important to be aware of the various learners in the classroom as well as being able to shift lessons accordingly to adapt to a greater number of students. In addition it is essential that culturally responsive practices is adapted in the classroom in order for all students to have a sense of belonging and are able to participate. For this reason, a teacher must actively use culturally responsive practices to engage students and their families because it helps to develop a relationship and maintain a level of communication. Learning “facts” about different cultures is not enough, it is more important that we make

Fostering cultural awareness in children has many benefits that contribute to the overall development of children. Educators encounter challenges that may include academic pressure, collaborating with diverse families, and meeting the needs of the students. This paper examines theoretical perspectives using a longitudinal study. The study examined the experiences of children ages 3.5 to 5.5, by using their everyday experiences of race and ethnic diversity in their classroom setting.

I believe that schools have hidden cultural agendas, stemming from their policy makers collective cultural backgrounds, which controls what curricula is used, and how knowledge is taught within the system. I further believe that not all students fit the cultural mold defined by our schools, and that those students that find themselves outside the established "norm" cannot fully benefit from their school experiences.