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Diversity in Our Schools

By: Mary Ann ClarkEDD 544 May 2015

Today’s Objective

After Today’s Training Participants will be able to:• Connect communication with diversity in

the classroom• Describe the role and importance of

understanding diversity• Identify best practices to support types of

diversity in the classroom

Today’s Agenda

• Activity• Define Diversity• Role and importance of diversity in

education• Diversity and communication• How to handle diversity• Diversity activity • Closure

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ActivityScenario:Subject Area: Middle School Math Objective: Students will engage in a cross curricular group project using Science, Math, and Social Studies to develop a bridge for their community. Activities: Students will-Research traffic patterns, including peak times, average number of vehicles and commerce needs in area determined for bridge.Create a scaled model of the proposed bridge along with drawings needed.Write a report of findings and a rationale on need.Initiate a report on the environmental impact using research and Power Point.Create a cost analysis on Microsoft Excel for materials.Give a presentation on findings to the class.  Your Job:Group Students in a fashion to Ensure SUCCESS for ALL!!

Joey 170 MusicBobby 190 MusicMorgan 160 ArtJesse 200 Creative WritingNicky 225 ScienceScotty 250 Yankees FanLizzie 270 Creative WritingNoel 230 DanceCam 180 BasketballJon 280 Gaming

Group # 1

Name Math Scores Student Interest

Joey 170 Music 220 FemaleBobby 190 Music 203 MaleMorgan 160 Art 188 FemaleJesse 200 Creative Writing 232 Male

Nicky 225 Science 256 MaleScotty 250 Yankees Fan 289 MaleLizzie 270 Creative Writing 292 Female

Noel 230 Dance 209 FemaleCam 267 Basketball 286 MaleJon 280 Gaming 220 Male

Group #2

Name Math Interest LAL GENDER

Joey 170 220 247 Theatre Club Verbal Linguistic 0

Bobby 190 203 232 Sax Player School Band Interpersonal 2

Morgan 160 188 218 Eagle Scout Naturalistic 7

Jesse 200 232 244 N/A Visual Spatial 18

Nicky 225 256 270 Environmental Club Bodily Kinesthetic 3

Scotty 250 289 297 Gaming Club Visual Spatial 5

Lizzie 270 292 300 School Paper Editor, National Honor Society

Linguistic/ Interpersonal 0

Noel 230 209 267 Cheerleader, Helping Hands Tutor

Interpersonal 2

Cam 267 286 294 Team Captain Basketball, KEY Club, Chess Club

Bodily Kinesthetic 0

Jon 280 220 247 Science Club, Gaming Club, Debate Team

Mathematical 4

Group #3

Name Math LAL Science Extra Curricular Intelligence Attendance 2010

Discussion

• How did you separate students into groups?• How did you decide what students went into what groups?• How many students did you put in a group?• Did you make equal number of groups?

What is Diversity?

Diversity can be defined as the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. The dimensions of diversity include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status. (NEA, 2015)

Why Diversity Matters in the Classroom?

• The student’s culture will influence both their behavior and the student’s psychological processes

• As educators is it important to know and understand the differences of our students in order to effectively communicate with them and also teach them. You need to find the best method for them to succeed academically and socially.

Communicating with DiversityThe way that we communicate with others if effected by diversity. Below are some ways that are effected by diversity and communication:

Attitudes: Preconceived ideas about different cultures effects the way we act towards others of different cultures.

Patterns of Thoughts: The way different cultures think about things differentiate between cultures.

Social Organization: Different cultures have different thoughts about how society should be organized.

Role Prescription: Your cultural background determines how you think about people’s roles such as a role of a teacher.

Communicating with Diversity continued..

Language: Language is the way that we ultimately communicate with each other.Language is also a barrier for some of us as educators.

Use and Organization of Space: The use of the space can effect some cultures. Such as the personal space that some cultures exhibit when speakingwith on another.

Vocabulary: The use of vocabulary and how each culture speaks. Such as slang whereas some cultures are more proper.

Time Conceptualization: Depending upon upbringing, time may be vieweddifferently. To some people time is crucial and making sure time management is effective as other cultures are less stressful of timemanagement.

Concerns with CommunicationDue to the vast differences in schools today, as educators we need to be prepared to deal with the following concerns that may arise in our teaching and learning process to ensure academic and social success of our students.

Sexism

Ethnocentrism

Classism

Racism

Ableism

SexismSexism is discrimination based on gender.

In education there have been many advancements with rights and gaps in the classroom.

Research suggests that: (Simonds & Cooper, 2011).• From grade school to high school, boys receive lower marks on their report cards.• More boys than girls drop out and repeat grades.• More boys than girls get suspended from school.• Boys are designated as learning disabled and labeled

emotionally disturbed more often than girls.

How to Overcome Sexism in the Classroom

Within the classroom setting teachers need to be cognizant of theirinteractions with boys and girls.

• Allow boys and girls to both be given a chance

• Offer assistance to both boys and give

• Avoid success of just one gender rather both

• Use a system to call randomly on students• http://www.classtools.net/random-

name-picker/

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism is the The definition of ethnocentrism comes from two Greek words: ethos, meaning “people” or “nation,” and ketron, meaning “center.” Sumner (1906/1940) divided the concept of ethnocentrism into two parts: the belief that one’s culture is superior to all others and the consequent belief that other groups are inferior (Simonds & Cooper, 2011).

How to Overcome Ethnocentrism in the Classroom

Within the classroom setting teachers need to be cognizant of theircultural beliefs when dealing with children.They should be respectful of:• Language• Learning habits• Nonverbal Skills• Time Management Skills• Social interactions

ClassismClassism is the prejudice or discrimination based upon class in a classroom.

These systems result in drastic income and wealth inequality. (Simonds&Cooper, 2011) By this definition, classism has three components:• differential treatment based on social class or perceived social class• systematic oppression of subordinated groups by the dominant groups• a system of beliefs and cultural attributes that rank people according to

economic status, family lineage, job status, level of education, etc.

How to Overcome Classism in the Classroom

As with all of the communication strategies we must promote success for all students, We can promote less classism through:• Treating everyone with the same

respect• Every student receives the same

resources as others• Identify and sympathize with

students who are less fortunate and may need that extra snack a day

• Every student deserves the same opportunity to succeed.

RacismRacism is when we judge other based upon the color of their skin.

There are gaps in schools due to the stereotypes that we have based upon students races.

• African American students struggle the most in school• Asian students get better grades and are smarter than other due to their

cultural beliefs that they study more.• Hispanic students often need more support due to language barriers.

How to Overcome Racism in the Classroom

We must accept the differences of all students no matter what race they are.

We should respect the differences of our students and what makes us the “melting pot of the world.”

Learn to be tolerant of differences of people and race and how they learn.

Learn and deal with different communication with different racial groups.

AbleismAbleism is discrimination against people with disabilities,

There are some stereotypes that are still present in education with respect toteaching students with disabilities.

-Students should be speaking rather than sign language.

-Every student should be able to learn and apply knowledge of every skill.

-One size fits all.

How to Overcome Ableism in the Classroom

Disabilities come in all forms in the classroom such as physical, emotional, social, psychological, etc.

-Lowered Expectations-Follow Intervention Plans-Inclusion of all students in activities-Encourage disabled students to develop and use the skills and modes of expression that are effective.-Promote high standards, not high stakes.- Not a one size, fits all.

Summary and Review

Today you have learned:

• Connections in communication with diversity in the classroom• The role and importance of understanding diversity • Best practices to support types of diversity in the classroom

Diversity can be defined as in the classroom as recognizing that all students are unique in their own way. According to theNDT Learning Center Their differences could consist of their reading level, athletic ability, cultural background, personality, religious beliefs, and the list goes on. (NDT, 2015)

Cooper, P. J., & Simonds, C. J. (2011). Communication for the classroom teacher (9th ed.). Champaign, IL: Allyn and Bacon.

Diversity Toolkit Introduction. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2015, from http://www.nea.org/tools/diversity-toolkit-introduction.html

Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2015, from https://www.ndeed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Diversity.htm

References