In Chapter 9 of the textbook it explains a lot about how to adapt curriculum for a multicultural classroom. This knowledge is extremely useful for me because I myself hope to have a multicultural classroom one day.
Curricular Adaption 1: A Study of Cambodia (pg. 344-349)
This study talks about how teachers are able to make an "effort to simulate intellectual growth, deepen understandings, support curiosity, and affirm identities of students from all backgrounds." Wow! What a great and powerful objective to have. The problem was that they did not know a lot about the Cambodia culture and the Cambodia American experience, and I would argue that I am in the same position. So, the teachers ended up taking a course about Cambodia culture and exposed themselves to Cambodia people, teachers, and activists. I think that it is great that these teachers went out of their way to do this during the summer in order to further their knowledge about a culture. I believe it is people like that who we should have in our educational systems. This type of preparation is humbling, and I have been realizing that teaching is not about knowing everything, but being humble enough to realize that there is still so much to always be learning. When talking about the goal setting, as explained in the textbook, it is important while setting goals for students to set them in the mindfulness of social justice. This means going beyond the textbooks and unit goals placed in teacher goals. This means finding out the perspectives of real humans who live the experiences. Then it explains how by implementing a multicultural educational curriculum with a social justice perspective; thus allows students and teachers to work together toward social change. I feel like in multicultural curriculum it is always important to study the history of an event and then that helps to explain why things are the way they are today. It is always important to also be aware of oppression that is taking place, or that has taken place in our country toward different cultural groups. By challenging what happened and why creates multicultural education to be embedded into the curriculum. I also think it is important for me to grasps the idea of teaching lessons as an event throughout the school year. This means that even though a lesson plan is over with and other subject material is being taught, never forget about that lesson, and it can continue to pop up in conversations or in examples. I think a really fascinating way to get the students really involved and to create a richer learning environment is like they mentioned in the book; bring in an outside visitor. Even in our online class this was done. When Dr. Combs talked about the Lau v Nichols case, this is an example of that. This is a great thing because it takes all the pressure off of the teacher, because as a teacher there might be that pressure to represent the culture the way they would like to be represented. But by having an outside visitor allows the teacher to be humble and then ask someone who is more an expert to talk about the topic. I think the first impression people have of teachers is they have to be very smart in many areas, and yes I do think that is true, but I also think its important that if a teacher is feeling a little uneasy, there is no harm in asking a guest from the community to help explain their experience to the classroom and what they know on the topic. Wow another great idea is to take a field trip. This might be a little challenging because field trips cost money. But i would say if the resource is available, then defiantly capitalize on that opportunity. This would allow the students to visit a location that represents the culture that is being studied.
I really like how in the textbook it goes on to explain how it is possible to then incorporate Cambodia culture into every class. For example, in science class they said they were able to study endangered spies in south Asia.
I really enjoyed reading this first study and know that these ideas will help me when I am a teacher one day. I rented this textbook, but gosh! There are so many insightful and eye opening ideas through out it I just might have to purchase it!
No comments:
Post a Comment