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Multiculture Literature
Multiculture Literature
Literature is a powerful tool to teach children about the world, themselves, and others. Literature takes children beyond their own lives, broadening their backgrounds, developing their imaginations, and enabling them to grow in understanding and respect for others.
An Introduction
Literature of diversity Literature that provides accurate representations of the lives and experiences both contemporary and historical of individuals who are members of various ethnic and racial groups in America and around the world
Multicultural Literature is
Multicultural literature can also be described as literature that portrays racial or ethnic groups Multicultural literature helps to enhance crosscultural understanding and respect for individuals.
It also accents the contributions that other cultural groups have made to society.( eg in America) The four major ethnic groups about whom a number of books have been written include African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans.
Multicultural Literature
Expands horizons,
In schools often segregated by lines of color and class, literature may present one of the few opportunities for all students to encounter people of different racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups.
(Rudine Simms Bishop)
Affirms identity,
We have a whole generation growing up without ever seeing themselves in print. What does it mean if you dont see yourself in books? There is a strong connection between images and identity
(Pat Mora)
Builds bridges
Cultural diversity is a strength for building powerful learning contexts, not a problem to be solved. Difference, not sameness, makes a classroom and society strong.
(Kaser and Short, 1998)
1. understanding and respect for each childs cultural group identities 2. respect for and tolerance of cultural differences, including differences of gender, language, race, ethnicity, religion and disabilities 3. understanding of and respect for universal human rights and fundamental freedoms 4. preparation of children for responsible life in a free society 5. knowledge of cross-cultural communication strategies, perspective taking, and conflict management skills to ensure understanding, peace, tolerance, and friendship among all peoples and groups.
Wide range of multicultural themes also helps children develop an understanding of social change. Raise the aspirations of children who belong to a minority group. Help readers make connections with individuals in other cultural groups so they may view themselves as members of various groups rather than one. (Ramsey, 1987; Steiner, 2001; Stoodt, 1992)
Issues to consider when we read books that are outside of our cultural familiarity
1. 2. Words may be unfamiliar and the context may place readers as outsiders- they need to infer meanings. Readers may make inferences different than those anticipated by author ; thus, discussion is important. Discussion gives the chance to be exposed to ideas that may new to readers and their way of thinking about a cultural group may be impacted in a positive manner.
When children read well-written books with adequate details, they are better able to make connections between different cultures and places and their own lives. Multicultural literature help readers understand both the differences and similarities among cultures.
It can be used to help children identify with their own culture, exposes children to other cultures, and opens the dialogue on issues regarding diversity (Colby & Lyon, 2004). Multicultural literature has the profound ability to shape our lives and our thinking. It offers children opportunities to celebrate who they are while learning about others. Teachers need to become more sensitive to the needs of their students and fully aware of what they communicate to them.
Power of Literature
We communicate through literature and we share our opinions, values, experiences Literature has the power to perpetuate and dissolve stereotypes. Through a literature study students should not only just learn new facts, but Takaki (1999) states they should understand and respect one anothers cultures while recognizing the shared histories and experiences hat unite us. Children's books have the potential to support diversity in the curriculum and raise consciousness on cultural issues that have been historically ignored.
Power of Literature
It is important for students to understand that people of different cultures are more similar than different from each other. When differences are noticeable, it is equally important for students to develop positive attitudes towards differences. Multicultural literature can help students to gain skills that foster collaboration and positive interactions.
Conclusion
It is important for children to understand different points of view, but also to understand the connections between these perspectives and how they affect each other (Pedersen & Kitano, 2006). Since it is not the literature alone, but the experiences created in response to the literature that determine the power of the stories, teachers participation in a literature discussion group can intensify their reading experiences (Wan, 2006). It is important for the teachers to make connections to the literature. These connections can then be transmitted to their students and empower them. We all must examine our lives and be more aware of the social injustices in order to put an end to them. At the same time we must embrace the uniqueness and strengths of all.
Websites
Celebrating Cultural Diversity Through Children's Literature http://www.multiculturalchildrenslit.com/ This web site contains links to annotated bibliographies of children's multicultural books appropriate for the elementary grades. Cultural groups currently listed include: African Americans, Chinese Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans, Japanese Americans, Jewish Americans, Native Americans, and Korean Americans. Books are categorized by genre: realistic fiction, information (non-fiction), traditional literature, biography, historical fiction, poetry, and fantasy. The recommended books are also linked to Amazon.com. The site also has links to websites about each culture.
Websites
Five Standards for Effective Pedagogy. http://www.crede.org/standards/standards.html Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE) created a list of The Five Standards articulate both philosophical and pragmatic guidelines for effective education. The standards were derived by educational researchers working with students at risk of educational failure due to cultural, language, racial, geographic, or economic factors. This would be a great site for teachers. Knowledge Loom. http://knowledgeloom.org/elemlit/index.jsp The site for educators has information on elementary literacy that includes practices, suggestions, and success stories. Among these topics it also presents principles, stories, and online resources to support culturally responsive teaching in schools and districts.
Websites
New Horizons. http://www.newhorizons.org/ A site for educators that provides information on researched and widely implemented methods of helping all students to learn more successfully. It includes many articles on a variety of topics related to education. Notable Books for a Global Society. http://www.csulb.edu/org/childrenslit/proj/nbgs/intro-nbgs.html This site would be great for anyone looking for books promoting multiculturalism. The website lists outstanding trade books for enhancing student understanding of people and cultures throughout the world. Winning titles include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry written for students in grades K-12.
Websites
Scholastic. http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757 A great site for teachers, students, and parents. In addition to information about books and authors, it has fun activities and links for students. The site has resources for teachers including articles about how to choose multicultural literature.
Print References
Callins, T. (2006).Culturally responsive literacy instruction. Teaching Exceptional Children, 39, 62-65. This article for educators addressed the instructional practices with regard to helping the reading skills of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Colby, S. & Lyon, A. (2004). Heightening awareness about the importance of using multicultural literature. Multicultural Education, 11, 24-28. This article attempted to create awareness among teachers of important role multicultural literature. Louie, B. (2006). Guiding principles for teaching multicultural literature. The Reading Teacher, 59, 438448. The article offers guidelines for teaching multicultural literature. It uses variations of the story of Mulan to show instructional strategies.
Print References
Pedersen, K. & Kitanom M. (2006). Multicultural literature unit for gifted learners. Gifted Child Today, 29, 38-49. This article for educators focuses on enhancing students knowledge, skills, and coping strategies through literature activities. Wan, G. (2006).Teaching diversity and tolerance in the classroom: A thematic storybook approach. Education, 127, 140-154. This article for educators points out the importance of addressing tolerance and differences in our schools. It also shows how the thematic approach can be used to enhance childrens awareness of diversity and similarities among cultures.
Improves Self-Concept
Students also benefit from reading literature that reflects their own ethnic and cultural background. Such literature can be an important tool in helping all students develop a healthy selfconcept - one that is based on a knowledge of and a sense of pride in family background (Hittleman, 1978).
Literature can present students with clear contrasts in perspectives and can help them to understand their own cultural heritages and those of others - within and outside the classroom (Rasinski & Padak, 1990).