Multiculturalism In the Classroom

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MulticulturalismIn the Classroom

• Presentation By
• Dan, Chris, Lisa,
• Jenny, Preeti Courtney

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What is Multiculturalism?

• the preservation of different cultures /
  cultural identities within a unified society
• several different cultures coexist peacefully
  and equitably
• relating to the social or educational theory
  that encourages interest in many cultures within
  a society rather than in only one mainstream
  culture

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Multiculturalism at the Public School Level

• Definition at the school level
• Public schools in Canada serve a society which
  is rich in ethnic, racial and cultural diversity.
  The public schools, therefore, have a
  responsibility for developing in all students an
  understanding, tolerance, respect and
  appreciation for the variety of cultural
  attributes and behaviours.
• (School District No. 41 Burnaby)

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Traditional Approaches to Multiculturalism in the
Curriculum and Classroom

• 1) Centered on Dominant Culture a context where
  a dominant cultures beliefs and behaviors are
  mainly depicted
• 2) Color Denial belief that all students are
  treated equally regardless of race
• 3) Tourist Multicultural teaching children of
  other cultures only during brief episodes during
  school year (Sparks, 2005)

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The importance of Multiculturalism

• Some Ideas
• Learn about diverse perspectives of the world
• Learning about one another, the histories and
  contributions of diverse groups
• Aware of other cultures around you. Larger
  picture of Canada ( the world)
• Be tolerant, non-discriminatory of each other
• Recognizing diversity in your own classroom
• Democratic values, such as equality that foster
  cultural pluralism
• Experiences at home play a significant role in
  how students learn at school

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Multiculturalism Choice Theory

• Ethnic identity development is psychologically
  liberating and empowering
• Identity clarification is a critical variable - a
  fundamental aspect - of human development
• Referring to the Language simulation, how do you
  think choice theory relates?
• Power, Love Belonging, Freedom, Fun and
  survival

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Multiculturalism in the Classroom

• The focus for our presentation is on the
  transformative or integrative concept of
  multiculturalism.
• How to incorporate multiculturalism as a fluid
  element in the classroom.

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Multiculturalism in School Subjects

• An Activity
• 1) Do you think that multiculturalism is present
  in your subject, and how?
• 2) Suggest some practical ways in which you could
  incorporate multiculturalism into your subject?

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Multiculturalism in School Subjects

• Rank the subjects from 1-6
• (1 being most multicultural elements, 6 being
  least)
• What did you notice about the subjects by looking
  at the posters?
• Multiculturalism is a framework to all subjects.
• The teacher has to make it a transformative
  element in the subjects

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Multicultural Environment in the Classroom

• Children need to feel included and accepted
• Necessary to provide variety within a structured
  environment that helps optimal learning for all
  students
• Use different learning strategies that addresses
  the various learning styles of students in the
  classroom

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Multicultural Environment in the Classroom

• Classroom posters, pictures, books, music, toys,
  dolls that are diverse in ethnicity, gender, age,
  abilities an race
• Our own examples

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Multiculturalism in the Classroom

• A Conclusion
• Example lessons and ideas
• Final Message Multiculturalism should be an
  important integrative part of the classroom and
  curriculum.