Diversity in the Classroom

Today teachers will be teaching in diverse classrooms, and it is important for teachers to know how to multiculturalize their classrooms. “In the United States today, about 1 in 5 children live with at least one foreign-born parent” (McDevitt, Ormrod 2010, 92). For children who come from a minority group their language, values, actions, and styles of communicating may differ from the main stream students (McDevitt, Ormrod 2010, 92-100). As a teacher I feel it is my responsibility to educate myself on the student’s culture to help accommodate the student.
For example in China when a student doesn’t know an answer to a question they smile. However in America it is typical for a student to smile when they know the answer to a question. This is just one example of a cultural difference a teacher may see in her classroom. I feel that it is important to help teach the child mainstream communication skills. However help the child preserve their own cultural customs.
Children form minority groups may also face discrimination. I feel that as a teacher you must combat discrimination. To help combat discrimination you can educate your students on others cultures. “When youngsters have positive interactions with people from backgrounds other than their own, they gain further respect for different cultures.” (McDevitt, Ormrod 2010, 99). As a teacher it is important to multiliculturalize your curricula and instruction. For example when you are teaching a lesson about immigration you could invite immigrant parents to come to the class and discuss their experiences in moving from one society to another (McDevitt, Ormrod 97). I feel that it is important to educate children about other cultures, races, and ethnicities, and accommodate children of different backgrounds.