multiculturalism in the classroom aisha sherazi march 2011
TRANSCRIPT
Multiculturalism in the Classroom
Aisha Sherazi
March 2011
Who Are Your Students?
Are some students different from others?
What are their needs?
How does understanding differences help you?
What kind of environment are you aiming to have in your classroom?
Potential
How do students achieve their potentials?– More motivated– Student aspirations– Grades– “Happy”
What are your expectations in the classroom?
Who Are Your Students Culturally?
Some immigrants
Some born here
Some speak many languages as well as English/ French
Some are from warn-torn countries
Some have educated parents, others do not
Who Are Your Students Spiritually? Numerous sects/ denominations
May come from practicing/ observant homes
May come from secular homes
Cultures often mix into religious practices, some of which don’t have roots in the faith at all
Where Do Values Fit In?
Honesty
Respect
Trust
Hard work
Caring
Sharing
Kindness
Where Do Parents Fit In?
– Value education
– Are seeking better opportunities
– May feel detached from system
– Try to instill the importance of respect for elders
– Are somewhat conventional in their thinking
Some Parents
Are detached and despondent
Some are single mother families with numerous children and little support
To have a child attend university under these circumstances is a big achievement
Accommodations
Prayer Fasting Holidays Dress Mixed gender activities in general Food Music/ Dance
Crucial that in any accommodation, an atmosphere of sharing and learning is adopted as an approach, rather than an atmosphere of seclusion or isolation/ separation
School Project Ideas
Peace circles for conflict situations, particularly with young people from war torn countries
Multicultural clubs and societies that foster mutual respect and sharing
Pot lucks for social occasions
Interfaith holiday celebrations
Offer language workshop days, giving students a chance to share other languages that they speak
Knowing Students
Open dialogue
Take time to find out backgrounds from students by developing personal relationships with them
Seek out help from community if possible, or multicultural liaison officers that bridge the gap
Encourage students to become part of the culture of the school itself, through student associations etc.
Small Communities
Individual experience
Becomes a collective experience
Lack of communication can do more harm than we think
Vulnerability of Young People
Young people wired in
Wealth of information available online
– Some incorrect– Some political in nature– Feeds into victimization
culture
Some not connected to community
Lack of guidance
Conflict Management Strategies
Get the facts
Clarify values
Check perceptions
Negotiate methods
Adjust to personalities
Seek to understand cultural/ religious differences
Conflict Triangle
Mrs. Muddle a Good Model