How to Approach Classroom Differences
- 1). Develop an awareness of your own prejudices and assumptions. This makes you more attuned to differences in your attitude toward other people and how this affects your behavior. Discuss cultural diversity with the children and use naturally occurring opportunities, such as St. Patrick's Day or Ramadan, to teach the children about the music and culture of Ireland or the customs and rituals of Islam.
- 2). Look at the classroom and the school from the perspective of a person who has a visual impairment or who uses a wheelchair. Ask the children to design a classroom that is sensitive to different needs. Help the children to look at the historical place of disability, talking about Helen Keller and others who helped changed the way disability is perceived. Also, help the children to look at how people with disabilities were cast as villains in literature and film.
- 3). Ask the parents of children who have a different cultural background to become involved in the classroom, perhaps by helping in a voluntary way. Ask the parents to speak to all the children about the food and traditions of their country of origin. Assign the children a project on a particular country or region. Set aside a short time each day to discuss world events (in an age-appropriate way). Use this as an opportunity to teach a little about the relevant country.
- 4). Celebrate different cultural and religious festivals by creating relevant displays in the classroom. Play appropriate music at break-time, such as Indian or African traditional music. Involve the school cafeteria and library in designing cultural meals and displaying relevant books. Teach history from a broader perspective, incorporating accounts of the early emigrants to the United States and their countries of origin.
- 5). Ask the children to list the benefits and the influences of different cultures. Expand their ideas and the lists by looking at restaurants, hairstyles, fashion, music and film. Discuss how much popular culture has developed as a result of the cultural influences of many countries. The children are likely to identify with some modern music and dance, in particular, but may be unaware of some of their origins.
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