Chapter Overview
Multicultural education promotes critical analyses of our society and institutions. Students develop critical thinking skills in schools and classrooms where they are free to ask questions and examine course content, the media, popular culture, and themselves for biases. The defining characteristic of a multicultural school is not the demographic makeup of the student body, but the willingness to ask, "Who's voice is not being heard. Why wasn't it included?" and, "How can this be changed?"
One of the goals of multicultural education is to acknowledge the experiences and perspectives of oppressed groups that are commonly excluded from mainstream academia (eg, racial, ethnic, class, gender, etc.). To accomplish this, the traditional Western canon used in shaping the curriculum must be reformulated and transformed to teach "a more truthful, complex, and diverse version of the West" in schools. (Banks, 1994, p. 4) Rather than excluding traditional Western perspectives and accomplishments, multicultural education seeks to incorporate those of people of color and women into the canon. It celebrates the pluralism of our society while helping students to understand the common traditions and heritage that unite us.
Within multicultural education, the organization and practices of a school recognize and accommodate all students and families. Teaching methods are altered according to the learning styles of students. Language differences are respected and parents are included in school planning and events. The grouping practices of the school are revised to allow all students to participate and excel in challenging courses.
Multicultural education aims to eliminate prejudice, racism, and all forms of oppression. To do this, "it is imperative that multicultural educators give voice and substance to struggles against oppression and develop the vision and the power of our future citizens to forge a more just society." (Sleeter, 1991, p. 22) Multicultural education addresses issues of white privilege, challenges the status quo, and compels students and teachers to identify their own biases. It increases awareness and understanding of racism, how it has shaped our society in the past and the manifestations of racism, classism, and oppression in the contemporary world.
Readings & Resources
Due this Week
Multicultural education promotes critical analyses of our society and institutions. Students develop critical thinking skills in schools and classrooms where they are free to ask questions and examine course content, the media, popular culture, and themselves for biases. The defining characteristic of a multicultural school is not the demographic makeup of the student body, but the willingness to ask, "Who's voice is not being heard. Why wasn't it included?" and, "How can this be changed?"
One of the goals of multicultural education is to acknowledge the experiences and perspectives of oppressed groups that are commonly excluded from mainstream academia (eg, racial, ethnic, class, gender, etc.). To accomplish this, the traditional Western canon used in shaping the curriculum must be reformulated and transformed to teach "a more truthful, complex, and diverse version of the West" in schools. (Banks, 1994, p. 4) Rather than excluding traditional Western perspectives and accomplishments, multicultural education seeks to incorporate those of people of color and women into the canon. It celebrates the pluralism of our society while helping students to understand the common traditions and heritage that unite us.
Within multicultural education, the organization and practices of a school recognize and accommodate all students and families. Teaching methods are altered according to the learning styles of students. Language differences are respected and parents are included in school planning and events. The grouping practices of the school are revised to allow all students to participate and excel in challenging courses.
Multicultural education aims to eliminate prejudice, racism, and all forms of oppression. To do this, "it is imperative that multicultural educators give voice and substance to struggles against oppression and develop the vision and the power of our future citizens to forge a more just society." (Sleeter, 1991, p. 22) Multicultural education addresses issues of white privilege, challenges the status quo, and compels students and teachers to identify their own biases. It increases awareness and understanding of racism, how it has shaped our society in the past and the manifestations of racism, classism, and oppression in the contemporary world.
Readings & Resources
- Multicultural Education in Your Classroom
- Building Blocks: The First Steps to Creating a Multicultural Classroom
Due this Week
- Multicultural Education Infographic
- Students will create a 1-page infographic that highlights the importance of addressing multicultural education and strategies to support diversity in the classroom. The infographic should be visually appealing with information communicated quickly and clearly. Submit a pdf of your infographic to Assignments in Laulima by 11:55pm on the given due date.
- Students will create a 1-page infographic that highlights the importance of addressing multicultural education and strategies to support diversity in the classroom. The infographic should be visually appealing with information communicated quickly and clearly. Submit a pdf of your infographic to Assignments in Laulima by 11:55pm on the given due date.