Teacher Education Students at the State University of New York Cortland :: Essays Papers

Teacher Education Students at the State University of New York Cortland A multicultural education incorporates not only culture, but race, social class, gender and disability. "Through guided classroom interaction students’ interracial attitudes may become more positive and accepting" (Chesler, 1971, p.613). Multicultural education has many goals (Kendall, 1996, p. 10). By providing this type of classroom experience children will learn to respect other cultures and to work with others of difference. By using resources that are in the community (parents, library, field trips..) teachers can incorporate this type of education into all subject areas. For example, a science teacher could combine multiculturalism by teaching about achievements made by people of different cultures and also of achievements by women. A multicultural education helps children develop a positive self-concept. By providing a multicultural curriculum students will learn to value other cultures as well as their own. A multicultural education means acceptance and the willingness to learn about others, which will help to make students’ successful members of society. Positive early experiences of multiculturalism in the classroom should be integrated in all aspects of a childs schooling, especially in science. Science is where hands on learning should occur. Teachers must take the time to understand that all children bring their prior experiences with them into the classroom. Children may have misconceptions about science based on their experiences or lack of experiences outside the class. For example, children who live in the city may have less knowledge about farm animals and their environment other than the concrete. Teachers must realize that children in different cultures may have different learning styles. "Culture and ethnicity have deep impact on our learning styles" (Kendall, 1996, p. 33). For example some Navajo children learn better through demonstration. A teacher must be careful not to stereotype children. Just because they are from a cer tain culture does not mean that they must be taught a certain way. Teachers must be aware that a child from a certain culture may learn in a certain way and it is up to the teacher to observe the child to find out what teaching approach is best. Exposing children at an early age to a learning environment with a rich variety of cultural and ethnic materials is essential for them to respect and appreciate others of a different race, gender, or cultural background. By incorporating multiculturalism into science, this gives children an opportunity to learn about people who may be unique from them.