Culture and Culture and CommunityCommunityCulture and Culture and CommunityCommunity

Discussion Questions• What social groups are you a part of?• What are some beliefs that you think

are characteristic of your group?• What are some behaviors/practices

that you think are characteristic of your group?

One Definition of Culture

• System of rules that a group follows– Attitudes, values, beliefs,

practices – Dynamic– Shared

Today’s Multicultural Classroom

• The Melting Pot• Cultural deficit model• Multicultural education

alternatives

Is There Such a Thing As Race?

• Biologically?• Socially?

What Do We Mean by Ethnicity?

• Groups that have a common nationality, culture, or language

• Not as stable as we think• Heterogeneity• Alternative labels available and

varied meanings• Multi-ethnic individuals

Three Aspects of Ethnicity Among Minority Groups

• Culture

• Ethnic identity

• Minority status

Achievement Gap

• Lower academic performance of African-American and Latino students

• The difference begins early in elementary school

Reasons for Gap: Biological?

• No evidence– Race is not a biological category– Use of IQ test cultural bias– Does not account for historical

fluctuations

Cultural Differences?

• Practices• Beliefs and values• Oppositional peer culture

Being Part of Stigmatized Group?

• Accounts for historical fluctuations

• Social inequalities• Perception of these

inequalities

Inequality

• Prejudice• Stereotypes• Discrimination• Resources• Tracking• Teacher expectations

Perception of Inequality

• Perception of discrimination • Self-fulfilling prophecy• Stereotype threat

– Short-Term Effects: Test Performance– Long-Term Effects: Disidentification

Social Class & School Achievement

• SES wealth, power, and prestige• Positive correlation: SES & achievement• Related influences:

– Poor health care– Low expectations– Tracking– Learned helplessness– Peer influences– Childrearing styles– Home environment and resources

Gender Differences in the Classroom

Gender Role Identity

• Gender versus sex• Androgynous• Gender schemas• Gender-role stereotyping• Gender bias in the curriculum• Sex discrimination in schools

Bilingualism • Two types• Learn 2 languages at same time

– Advantages

• Second language acquisition at later point– May be more difficult

Bilingual Education• Submersion• Immersion programs

– Sheltered English• Transitional bilingual education programs • Maintenance or developmental bilingual

programs • Dual-language immersion

Goals for Cultural Compatibility

• Eliminate:– Racism– Sexism– Prejudice

• Incorporate:– Equal educational opportunities– Culturally friendly teaching strategies

Teaching Strategies

• Socialization Organization• Learning Styles• Sociolinguistics• Culturally Relevant Pedagogy