An easy and effective way of expanding your knowledge base about other racial/ethnic groups was brought up in class: use parents as a resource. You are always going to have children in your classroom from a different background than your own and it is important to acknowledge their culture and create a united classroom. The best way to gather information about a student's culture you are unfamiliar with is to ask the parents. Set up some time to meet with them and ask questions. Make them feel welcome and explain to them why it is so important for you to "pick their brain" about their culture. Let them tell you some of the most important details you should know and I'm sure they would be more than happy to fill you in. In fact, I'm sure you would gain the parents respect for your sensitivity to cultural differences and they would truly appreciate you going out of your way to be culturally aware.
Another course I am taking this semester is about diversity in the classroom. Our second class began with a group activity based upon our thoughts of different individuals. We were given examples like "22-year-old single mother" and were told to write down everything we could think of associated with this expression. The exercise was supposed to show how society places stereotypes on certain groups of individuals even though the stereotype may not apply to the entire group. The class exercise evoked a heated conversation and it seems as though the students felt apologetic and a bit awkward for saying certain stereotypes. However, by the end of the discussion the exercise served its purpose. It was a perfect segue into our discussion of prejudice, discrimination, race and racism at the individual, cultural and institutional level and it was clear how we judged many "books by their covers." I left that day feeling badly for placing judgments but grateful for the exercise because it made me more aware.
1 comment:
I agree and feel that using parents as a resource is a great way to expand knowledge base about other racial/ethnic groups. When students know that a teacher is asking a parent about their culture it makes them feel important and valued in their school community. Student's are likely to learn more from classroom instruction when they feel accepted and valued by their teachers and peers. I also feel that teacher-parent communication encourages student's to talk and share more about their culture in class. By speaking to parents they will be aware of a teacher's lessons and hopefully reinforce the conversations at home. By asking for cooperation from students and parents, teachers can develop numerous educational resources.
Also, the example you provided about the group activity in your class is a great learning lesson. As teacher we need to think about topics that will engage the student's in meaningful and interesting conversations.
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