Chelsea+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: " Diversity can be defined as the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. " 2. Tell why you picked those words: x I thought that this was a good definition of diversity. It explains diversity represents that has humans were are both alike and different x

3. Which of the issues did you have the most issue with and why?: * I had the most issue with encouraging members to become part of programs and observances. I feel like that you don't need to be part of a group to recognize and accept diversity. I feel like many people would become members simply because they were told to and not because they genuinely want to *

4. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the easiest for you to carry out in your own classroom? ^ "Seize opportunities to learn about people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences—whether through a book, a film, or a conversation" I think that this will be easy to carry out because as a social studies teacher you constantly examining different cultures and backgrounds. ^

5. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the hardest for you to carry out in your own classroom //and why// ? { "Assess the diversity in your school and how students of different backgrounds are faring" I feel like this could be difficult because it could seem as though you are judging students and treating different groups differently from one another. }

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

How will you become culturally competent? I will become culturally competent through learning about the different cultures of my students and the values and experiences of my students. Through valuing diversity, becoming self-aware of culture and adapting to the diversity in the classroom. Where do you feel you are now in the journey to becoming culturally competent? I believe that I am ready to learn about dynamics of difference.

Read about [|Social Justice]. How do you think this information will impact you as a teacher? It makes you value that everyone in society is still not treated equally. I think it is important to understand that while not everyone is treated equally as a teacher you are in a position to educate and advocate for the full acceptance of everyone into society. How will it impact your classroom? I think that students will need to be educated about the oppression of certain groups. They need to learn that diversity is important and to resist that movements that cause oppression. Students will need to learn about social justice on three levels: self, school and community and how they can resist the exclusion and oppression of groups.

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.