Learners and Learning

Dr George Oduro Commonwealth Education Trust

Foundations of Teaching for Learning

Course 3 Week 1: The lives of children Lecture 4: The multi-cultural classroom

The multicultural classroom

Multiculturalism refers to the "sharing and celebration of many cultures." Each person is a part of at least one culture. Some families participate in several cultures.

The first goal

The first goal of a multicultural classroom is to assist children with recognizing differences, as well as similarities, among all people. Allowing children to explore varying cultures creates opportunities for them to see that even when people have different customs and traditions, they often share some common traits, too.

The second goal

The second goal of a multicultural classroom is to encourage cooperative social skills. As children learn to accept differences and similarities among people, they can work and get along with others better. They begin to see other's viewpoints and individuality. The multicultural classroom assists children from minority cultures in developing cooperation and social skills in a setting that may be unfamiliar to them. Their self-esteem is boosted as they are recognized and accepted for their individuality. They feel good about themselves as other children recognize the worth of their traditions and customs.

Learning about difference

Learn the traditions of each child in your classroom

What holidays do they celebrate?

What beliefs and values explain their traditions? How do they celebrate birthdays? What is the nature of the family What are parental expectations? What are their favorite foods and family traditions?

Suspending judgement
Helping children to compare, contrast, and learn about other cultures without making judgments about them requires an attitude of acceptance and respect. As teachers lead children to respect others who are different, they will begin to appreciate individuality. As children grow and mature with these attitudes, they will have social skills that not only accept, but also applaud individuality.

Coming to a new school

I am new to the school I dont know anybody I wonder what they will think of me?

The importance of planning

A critical ingredient for a teacher's success in implementing a culturally diverse classroom is the ability to add a multicultural perspective into curriculum planning and classroom management skills. This requires careful consideration of children's cultures and traditions, and necessitates planning to help other children experience them in learning centers and activities.

Addressing racism
Personal and interpersonal Cultural Institutional

Anti-racism defined
Anti-racism includes beliefs, actions, movements, and policies adopted or developed to oppose racism, to promote a society in which people do not face discrimination on the basis of their race.
Anti-racism promotes the view that racism is pernicious and pervasive and can only be eliminated by changes in political, economic, social and educational life.

The anti-racist classroom

Who are the students you're most likely to punish? Who receives your praise and how often? Who do you provide with positive reinforcement? Do you have high expectations for all of your students? How do you express these? Do you explicitly address racism and anti-racism with your students? How you monitor and sanction use of unacceptable language?

Some things to think about

What does multi-culturalism mean to me?

What do I understand by racism? How is it expressed?

What are my responses to racist language and attitudes?

Learners and Learning

Dr George Oduro Commonwealth Education Trust