Creating a Culturally Inclusive ClassroomCreating a Culturally Inclusive Classroom

Dr. Erin WilderSouthern Oregon University

Dr. Erin WilderSouthern Oregon University

Today’s WorkshopToday’s Workshop

Culture-What is your culture?Why is culture relevant to the

lives of students?How is culture learned?Implementing cultural activities

accurately and respectfully.

Culture-What is your culture?Why is culture relevant to the

lives of students?How is culture learned?Implementing cultural activities

accurately and respectfully.

Hurdles Hurdles

Addressing DiversityAvoiding StereotypesReligion

Addressing DiversityAvoiding StereotypesReligion

Definition of CultureDefinition of Culture

Cultural BagCultural Bag

Literacy as a Socializing Agent

Literacy as a Socializing Agent

The role of children’s literature in culture.

Setting expectationsCreating normsChoosing great literature

The role of children’s literature in culture.

Setting expectationsCreating normsChoosing great literature

Analyzing Books for BiasAnalyzing Books for Bias Illustrations Storyline Life-Styles Relationships Among People Note the Heroes Effects on a Child’s Self Image Author’s Perspective Loaded Words Copyright Date Consider Literacy, Historical, and

Cultural Perpsectives.

Illustrations Storyline Life-Styles Relationships Among People Note the Heroes Effects on a Child’s Self Image Author’s Perspective Loaded Words Copyright Date Consider Literacy, Historical, and

Cultural Perpsectives.

Culture and the Lives of our Students

Culture and the Lives of our Students

5 minute Quickwrite: How does students’ cultures

influence their lives inside and outside of our classrooms?

How does your classroom (or will your classroom) honor the cultures of students?

Video:

5 minute Quickwrite: How does students’ cultures

influence their lives inside and outside of our classrooms?

How does your classroom (or will your classroom) honor the cultures of students?

Video:

Benefits of a Holiday Curriculum

Benefits of a Holiday Curriculum

Demonstrates that different beliefs are good Respects diversity Validate’s a child’s and family’s experiences Connects children’s lives at home and in school Provides a way for children and teachers to get to know

each other on another level Is fun Breaks up the routine Celebrates positive things Instills values Enriches the children’s experiences Provides opportunities for a child to feel special if he or

she is the only one in the group who celebrates a holiday

Allows for thoughtful dialogue between self, students, and families

Demonstrates that different beliefs are good Respects diversity Validate’s a child’s and family’s experiences Connects children’s lives at home and in school Provides a way for children and teachers to get to know

each other on another level Is fun Breaks up the routine Celebrates positive things Instills values Enriches the children’s experiences Provides opportunities for a child to feel special if he or

she is the only one in the group who celebrates a holiday

Allows for thoughtful dialogue between self, students, and families

Information on HolidaysInformation on Holidays

What holidays did you celebrate as a student in school?

Make a list of the different cultures of students in your classroom. What holidays do you think they may celebrate?

Video

What holidays did you celebrate as a student in school?

Make a list of the different cultures of students in your classroom. What holidays do you think they may celebrate?

Video

Holiday ActivityHoliday Activity

Each person chooses a book to read at your table.

What is the holiday?How can it be addressed in the

classrooms?Does it have any similarities to

holidays that may already be celebrated in the classroom?

Each person chooses a book to read at your table.

What is the holiday?How can it be addressed in the

classrooms?Does it have any similarities to

holidays that may already be celebrated in the classroom?

Lunch ActivityLunch Activity

Have a wonderful lunch! During lunch please brainstorm with those at your table how you can honor the cultures of all students in your classroom through the study of holidays.

Holiday Song

Have a wonderful lunch! During lunch please brainstorm with those at your table how you can honor the cultures of all students in your classroom through the study of holidays.

Holiday Song

Bias in the CurriculumBias in the Curriculum

7 Forms of Bias in the Curriculum.

Equalizing the bias by supplementing curriculum texts.

7 Forms of Bias in the Curriculum.

Equalizing the bias by supplementing curriculum texts.

Building Relationships with Parents

Building Relationships with Parents

Strive toward daily conversations.

Use a communication notebook.

Hold Conferences.Spend time in the

community.Newsletters.

Strive toward daily conversations.

Use a communication notebook.

Hold Conferences.Spend time in the

community.Newsletters.

The Banks Model of Multicultural Education

The Banks Model of Multicultural Education

1st Level-Contributions

2nd Level-Additive

3rd Level-Transformation

4th Level-Social Action

1st Level-Contributions

2nd Level-Additive

3rd Level-Transformation

4th Level-Social Action

Next StepsNext Steps

Start slow Make small but meaningful changes. Collaborate with other like minded

colleagues-start a book club! Reach out to parents and form

partnerships. Get involved in the community you

teach in. Continue to move towards the next

level of Banks Model.

Start slow Make small but meaningful changes. Collaborate with other like minded

colleagues-start a book club! Reach out to parents and form

partnerships. Get involved in the community you

teach in. Continue to move towards the next

level of Banks Model.