Diversity in the ClassroomDelores Harris

November,2013

“To keep the Golden Rule we must put ourselves in other people’s places. If we had the imagination to do that. . .fewer

bitter judgments would pass our lips, fewer racial, national, and class prejudices would stain our lives.”

---Harry Emerson Fosdick

Student teachers should:

Identify at least four (4) diversities in the Jamaican society.

Define the term diversity .

Identify five (5) diversities in the Jamaican classroom .

Develop an understanding of attitudes towards diversity.

Evaluate how beliefs about these issues impact on behavior impact on the Jamaican classroom .

Reflect on and share experiences, memories of diversity in the classroom.

Examine strategies for managing diversity in the classroom.

Definition of Diversity

• The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance

and respect.

• It means understanding that each individual is

unique and recognizing our individual differences.

Diversity.…

• It includes knowing how to relate to those qualities and conditions that are

different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong yet are

present in other individuals and groups..

• We acknowledge that categories

of difference are not always fixed

but also can be fluid

We respect individual rights to self-

identification, and we recognize that

no one culture is intrinsically superior

to another.

It is the exploration of these difference in a safe and nurturing environment.

It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to

embracing and celebrating the rich dimension of diversity contained within each individual

Diversity in Jamaican Society

Gender

Social class/socio-economic factors

Religions

Geographical location

(Access, Equality, Equity)

Diversity in Jamaica resulted from slavery:-the coming of Africans to work on sugar plantations

Emancipation- the coming of the east Indians to work in the Caribbean

Result –an island with many races, cultures, beliefs, values and interests

Races/ Ethnic Groups Religious groups Social groups

Africans Christians Upper

Chinese Buddhism Middle

Indians Hindus Low

Jews Judaism

Syrians Muslims

Lebanese Rastafarians

Poverty, often results in crime

Different family types e.g. simple-parent households often headed by a female

Teenage mothers and fathers

Abused children

Racial/ social/color class

Cultural

Sexual

Gender role/Socialization

Exceptionalities (gifted

Students, at-risk students)

Festivals and celebrations

Dress

Cuisine

Rites of passages e.g. birth , death and the coming of age rituals

Language

music

EquityFairness: actions, treatment of others, or a general condition

characterized by justice, fairness, and impartiality.

Access

entry or approach: a means of entering or approaching a place.

opportunity for use: the opportunity or right to experience or make use of something.

right to meet somebody: the opportunity to meet somebody.

Equality

State of being equal: rights, treatment, quantity, or value equal to all others in a specific group.

the right or privilege to approach, reach, enter, or make use of something.

Behaviors and attitudes related to diversity in the classroom

Prejudices/biases Opinion formed beforehand: a preformed

opinion, usually an unfavorable one, based on insufficient knowledge, irrational feelings, or inaccurate stereotypes

Irrational dislike of somebody: an unfounded hatred, fear, or mistrust of a person or group, especially one of a particular religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference, or social status

Stereotyping

Reduce somebody to oversimplified category: to categorize individuals or groups according to an oversimplified standardized image or idea.

Gender stereotypes are broad categories that reflect impressions and beliefs about behaviour for females and males

Labels and the effect they have on students self esteem and self concept

Career orientation and subject selection

Socially sensitive issues

Professional counseling

Peer counseling

Managing diversity in the classroom

Identify your own attitudes toward diversity .

Establish an environment where everyone feels comfortable (non-threatening) .

Get to know your student

Don’t make assumptions

Value all children in your care and talk to them all in the same tone of vice and use the same kind of words.

.

Avoid stereotypes-all jobs in the classroom should be done by both classes.

Use group work and cooperative learning- that works to improve relations and create friendships between the to (2) sexes.

Treat everyone equally-give equal time re your attention, questioning and participation in class activities

“Aggressive fighting for the right is

the greatest sport in the world.”

---Theodore Roosevelt