How Can We Make How Can We Make Multiculturalism Effective in Multiculturalism Effective in

the Classroom? the Classroom?

Kimberly KernKimberly KernEnglish Language FellowEnglish Language Fellow

IHCIIHCI

kern.kimika@gmail.comkern.kimika@gmail.com

What is multicultural What is multicultural education?education?

Multicultural educationMulticultural education is is equal educationequal education for all students. for all students.

All students deserve the best possible All students deserve the best possible education we can provide, regardless of:education we can provide, regardless of:

Nationality/ LanguageNationality/ Language GenderGender Race or ethnicity- indigenousRace or ethnicity- indigenous ReligionReligion Socio-economic backgroundSocio-economic background Learning Style Learning Style DisabilityDisability Sexual orientationSexual orientation Family values and backgroundFamily values and background Etc.Etc.

This equality is evidenced by the This equality is evidenced by the booksbooks that that are read, the are read, the activitiesactivities that are completed, that are completed,

and the and the lessonslessons that are taught. that are taught.

All activities should be inclusive of all All activities should be inclusive of all students backgrounds and interests to students backgrounds and interests to

provide provide authentic learning experiencesauthentic learning experiences..

Know your students!Know your students!

What kind of learner What kind of learner are you?are you?

What kind of learners What kind of learners are your students?are your students?

VisualVisual AuditoryAuditory KinestheticKinesthetic

Learning Style AssessmentLearning Style Assessment

Please take a few minutes and complete Please take a few minutes and complete the the VISUALVISUAL section of the assessment section of the assessment

only.only.

What is your score?What is your score?How many of us are visual learners?How many of us are visual learners? How does this effect our teaching? How does this effect our teaching?

Knowing your student’s learning Knowing your student’s learning styles helps styles helps all studentsall students have an have an

opportunity to learn.opportunity to learn.

What do students bring to the What do students bring to the classroom?classroom?Ask them….Ask them….

Are they from this country? Where is their family Are they from this country? Where is their family from in Honduras?from in Honduras?

What neighborhood are they from? Rich, poor, What neighborhood are they from? Rich, poor, or middle class?or middle class?

What past educational or life experience do they What past educational or life experience do they have?have?

What prejudices or biases do they have?What prejudices or biases do they have? What cultural differences may they have?What cultural differences may they have? What family traditions do they have? Religion?What family traditions do they have? Religion?

Who is in this room?Who is in this room?

Who has been to or is from the US?Who has been to or is from the US? Who is not Catholic?Who is not Catholic? Who went to public school?Who went to public school? Who is of indigenous decent?Who is of indigenous decent? Who was raised by only one parent?Who was raised by only one parent? Who prays before every meal?Who prays before every meal?

Nationality, Language and Nationality, Language and Cultural DifferencesCultural Differences

Learn about the languageLearn about the language of your of your students. A few words can go a long way to students. A few words can go a long way to

show respect. show respect. Have students teach the Have students teach the classclass!!

To have a To have a successful multicultural successful multicultural classroomclassroom, a teacher needs to understand , a teacher needs to understand

these differences, but these differences, but avoidavoid cultural cultural generalizations and stereotypes.generalizations and stereotypes.

True or False?True or False?

Americans are rich.Americans are rich. Latin Americans are Catholic.Latin Americans are Catholic. American cuisine is fast food. American cuisine is fast food. Chinese people are shy.Chinese people are shy. Boys are better at math than girls.Boys are better at math than girls. Hondurans are always late.Hondurans are always late.

Get together with a small group. Get together with a small group.

Complete the “Culture Club” Complete the “Culture Club” activity.activity.

You have about 5 minutes.You have about 5 minutes.

Have you ever noticed these Have you ever noticed these cultural differences?cultural differences?

Gender DifferencesGender Differences

Assign tasks that challenge traditional social roles- Assign tasks that challenge traditional social roles- Example: Assign men to be note-takers, women to be Example: Assign men to be note-takers, women to be group facilitators group facilitators

Encourage men and women to work together in groupsEncourage men and women to work together in groups Be aware that women have been historically Be aware that women have been historically

disenfranchised disenfranchised

Religious and Economic Religious and Economic DifferencesDifferences

A student’s socio-economic or religious norm is part of A student’s socio-economic or religious norm is part of their cultural identitytheir cultural identity

Stay away from one-sided text book lessonsStay away from one-sided text book lessons Use material that is relevant to your student’s lives. Ex: Use material that is relevant to your student’s lives. Ex:

facebook, twitter, news articles about their facebook, twitter, news articles about their neighborhood, city, or countryneighborhood, city, or country

So, how can we make the So, how can we make the classroom a classroom a multiculturalmulticultural

experienceexperience for our students? for our students?

Personalize ContentPersonalize Content

Know your students and use their Know your students and use their namesnames and and life experienceslife experiences in examples. in examples.

Sally went to the mall to buy some shoes.Sally went to the mall to buy some shoes.

vs.vs.

Alejandro went to the Multiplaza to buy the Alejandro went to the Multiplaza to buy the newest Wii.newest Wii.

How do you get from the church to the How do you get from the church to the Police Station?Police Station?

How do you get from UNAH to CARMAX?How do you get from UNAH to CARMAX?

My neighborhood- Bed-stuy, My neighborhood- Bed-stuy, Brooklyn, NYBrooklyn, NY

Use Different Teaching StylesUse Different Teaching Styles

Vary your instructional materials as a way to Vary your instructional materials as a way to draw in students with various learning stylesdraw in students with various learning styles

Consider visual, tactile, aural, and other Consider visual, tactile, aural, and other dimensions of your instructional materialsdimensions of your instructional materials

Mix it up. Work in pairs, groups, independent.Mix it up. Work in pairs, groups, independent.

Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing activitiesSpeaking, Listening, Reading, Writing activities

Avoid StereotypesAvoid Stereotypes

Avoid Avoid other-ingother-ing; integrate diverse voices and sources ; integrate diverse voices and sources together instead of having separate sections or unitstogether instead of having separate sections or units

Example: No units on “women poets” or “Indigenous Example: No units on “women poets” or “Indigenous Voices,” etc..Voices,” etc..

Discourage gender, national, and cultural stereotypes Discourage gender, national, and cultural stereotypes that single some students out.that single some students out.

Ask Your Students!Ask Your Students!

Give students opportunities to share anonymous Give students opportunities to share anonymous feedback; surveys; questionnairesfeedback; surveys; questionnaires

Note: Students already feeling uncomfortable are Note: Students already feeling uncomfortable are not likely to approach you about your teaching or not likely to approach you about your teaching or

curriculumcurriculum

What do they want to learn about??What do they want to learn about??Make ALL students feel comfortable and included Make ALL students feel comfortable and included

in their learning!in their learning!

Question, Comments, Question, Comments, Concerns?Concerns?

kern.kimika@gmail.comkern.kimika@gmail.com

““Education means inspiring someone’s Education means inspiring someone’s mind, not just filling their head”mind, not just filling their head”