Christina+Diversity

Read the [|Introduction] to the Diversity Toolkit Web page from the National Education Association. 1. Copy and paste a sentence or two that you really liked (agreed with, admired the verbiage, could empathize with, . . . ) in between the two quotation marks: " Full acceptance of diversity is a major principle of social justice." 2. Tell why you picked those words: xI picked this sentence because I believe it is true. In order for people to fully and openly accept others, it must be socially acceptable to do so. x

3. Which of the issues did you have the most issue with and why?: *I had an issue with how it seemed as if teachers would instead reinforce stereotypes and not delve deeper into the culture and understand what it truly is.*

4. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the easiest for you to carry out in your own classroom? ^ The easiest strategy I will be able to carry out in my classroom is to assess the diversity within the class. ^

5. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the hardest for you to carry out in your own classroom //and why// ? {It will be most difficult for students to examine different diversities in my classroom. I believe this because in a math classroom, I am focusing on the content, which may not always directly relate to diversity. Although it will be possible to examine how different cultures use the number system (such as different bases), it may not directly relate to the cultures found within that class. }

Read the [|Cultural Competence for Educators] Web page from the National Education Association

How will you become culturally competent? Where do you feel you are now in the journey to becoming culturally competent? I will become culturally competent by valuing the diversity of the students and learning to teach the content in ways that relate to all of the cultures. By focusing on this relation, students will appreciate the content more, as well as learn about the different cultures of each of the students. I feel that I am still learning in becoming culturally competent. As I learn more about methods of teaching, and about my students, I will be able to integrate the culture into the content.

Read about [|Social Justice]. How do you think this information will impact you as a teacher? How will it impact your classroom? It will impact me as a teacher because it will cause me to be more aware of social oppression. By not accepting it, I will be a part of erasing oppression. My classroom will be impacted in that oppression of any kind will not be tolerated and students will learn as to why that is so.

Now work with your partner. Read your assigned Information Page from the National Education Association.
 * [|Class and Income]
 * [|English Language Learners]
 * [|Gender]
 * [|Race and Ethnicity]
 * [|Sexual Orientation and Gender Orientation]

Now go to [|Kerpoof] and create a story using one of the many tools available. Your characters should represent your assigned diversity dimension. Create a plot that has a conflict representative of one of the major issues as outlined on your NEA page. Pick one of the strategies and implement it in your story. Is there going to be a resolution? What will the ending be? Save your story to share with the class.