You Are Just Like Me!

You are Just Like Me! “Introducing our students to multiculturalism”

By: Tina L. Brewer July 3, 2008

What is multiculturalism? • The dictionary defines it as: “of or relating to a social or educational theory that encourages interest in many cultures within a society rather than in only a mainstream culture (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/multicultural).

So what does that mean to you?

– It means that you should: • Care for one another • Respect one another • Educate each other (on differences) • Accept others for who they are • Treat others as you want to be treated • Equal opportunities • Share with each other

Why do we need it? • Because the U.S has many types of people living here

Asian pacific South American

Central American

African American

Russian American Native American

European American

Berlin

• To correct negative stereotypes or bad thoughts about people This ad was a product of its time (1957), not only did it depict Native Americans in a negative way but it was a national campaign for a company that is still popular today!

• So that teachers can help shape how students view and respond to the world by creating a learning environment that provides equity, reflects and embraces the diversity in which we live

Who should practice multiculturalism? EVERYONE!

When should you practice multiculturalism?

• Multiculturalism is an activity that can be practiced daily. • You should strive to do something everyday to include others – Ex 1: learning to correctly pronounce your classmate’s name – Ex 2: including everyone in a game on the playground regardless of their race or gender

Common Myths of Cultures •

Myth # 1: Other cultures should be presented as having different lifestyles versus the lifestyle of the dominant culture. *FALSE: In doing so you create a “we” vs. “them” concept. Children who are not able to identify with another culture because of differences will often feel superior or inferior to the culture. A multicultural program can focus on the presentation of other cultures, but at the same time allow children to be aware of the nature and uniqueness of their own culture. Children can learn about their class as an example of a common culture. Teachers can emphasize how other classes can be similar and yet different.

(http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)

• Myth # 2: Speaking more than one language (bilingualism) does more harm than good. *FALSE: Recent studies suggest that, all other things being equal, higher degrees of bilingualism are associated with higher levels of cognitive attainment. It is evident that the duality of languages per se does not hamper the overall language proficiency or cognitive development of bilingual children (Hakuta & Garcia, 1989). (http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)

• Myth # 3:Multicultural education is only needed in classes with students who belong to the cultural or racial groups being studied. *FALSE: Our world is multicultural, and children need to experience the diversity outside their immediate environment. If children are to know about minority groups, they must be taught about them in the same way they are taught about majority groups. Otherwise, children can grow to adulthood unaware of, and insensitive to, the experiences of other cultural groups. (http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)

• Myth # 4: There should be a separate, set of goals and class work for multicultural education. *FALSE: Since we have a many cultures in our world, it is impossible, to teach about all of them. Goals and curriculum will differ from class to class. Children who are taught to appreciate and understand their own culture learn to understand others' cultures in the process. The appropriate curriculum for understanding America's diverse cultures is a multicultural curriculum taught within a developmental framework. It promotes recognition, understanding, and acceptance of cultural diversity and individual uniqueness. This curriculum is based in concepts such as cultural pluralism, intergroup understanding, and human relations. It is not restrictive or limited to a specific course, set of skills, or time of year. (http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)

• Myth # 5:

Activities do not have to be placed in a cultural context and explained thoroughly. *FALSE: All activities should be accompanied by details that explain their cultural context. Activities should always be chosen on the basis of grade level and the age of the child. (http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)

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Multiculturalism Activity

Activity Name: World Passport –

Purpose: To Teach children the concept of "Around the World" with this project. You may want to take more that one week to accomplish the project. 

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Materials: Blank booklet and a stamp for each country.

– Description: Teachers and students can decide which countries your class will visit. Example: Russia, China, Mexico, Egypt and United Kingdom.  Use a sheet of paper in your booklet for each country and research facts through books, internet and guest speakers (if time permits).  Write down important facts and when you done, make "stamps" from each country (Ex: Egypt = Pyramid) and allow the children to glue them at the bottom of pages in their booklets. – The student will also need to write facts or interesting bits of information about each country in their booklets. –

Once the week is up, go through the passports allow each student or group of students choose a country and plan a “Round the world” party. Each child is dressed like the people from one of the countries visited and native foods are made and native games are played.

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(http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/multicultural.htm)

Conclusion • As our country continues to become more diverse, the need for understanding and accepting the differences among all people has never been more important. • The challenge for educators is to present an effective multicultural education foundation by means of which all children can learn to accept others. • The goal of multicultural education is not only to teach children about other groups or countries. It is also to help children become use to the idea that there are many lifestyles, languages, cultures, and points of view. • The purpose of multicultural curriculum is to attach positive feelings to multicultural experiences so that each child will feel included and valued.

References •

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/multicultural

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http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm

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http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/multicultural.htm