This post was inspired from some insensitive and hurtful comments made by a student in one of the classes I taught in 2015-2016. I really went strong on to cultural diversity mission and sharing more about Teaching Tolerance, one of my favorite websites along with Flocabulary. As someone who is E.S.O.L. certified, this issue is very important to me. In fact, I took the Gifted endorsement to be able to better met the needs of my English Language Learners who I knew were gifted but didn’t qualify for services due to language acquisition. #soapboxissue
So here is what happened that day in the classroom. We were watching the Week in Rap on Flocabulary about the Paris Attack and ISIS and a student made a comment about how another child must be a terrorist because he is from Iraq and Muslim. This was within earshot of my student teacher whose family is from Pakistan. My heart broke when she explained that is what she has been dealing with her whole life. I addressed the situation with both kids and let’s just say not to make your teacher mad if she is a redhead. There were tears involved on her part.
Part of being an effective teacher in today’s society means you must be culturally responsive. I have a quick trivia question.Q: What is America’s motto? A: “e pluribus unum” **Bonus points for knowing that Latin phrase means “Out of many, one.” Our great nation is rooted on the philosophy that we are a melting pot of religions and ethnicity. Today’s classrooms contain children from diverse backgrounds spanning across the globe. It is imperative that teachers foster an environment of tolerance and cultural appreciation. We must empower students to be proud of their heritage and embrace their differences. Students need our help developing self-worth. Children should know their differences make them special, not “weird.” I tackled these issues head on with my 5th graders. Facing tough topics like discrimination is not easy. It takes some hard conversations, opportunities for discussion, and constant reminders to treat others with kindness and empathy.
Here are some of my thoughts about tackling those tough issues. During the Periscope broadcast I refer to Teaching Tolerance. The URL for the site is just http://www.tolerance.org though!
How lucky we are that this wonderful resource to support educators exists! I highly suggest taking the time to check it out. I’ve mentioned it several other times on Periscope or in Facebook groups so thought I should give some evidence as to why I love the Teaching Tolerance site! Let me make you love it already. Everything on the site is FREE!!
10 Reasons I Love Teaching Tolerance
1) Articles and lesson plans for Cultural Appreciation and Civil/Human Rights
2) Online Resources for Bullying
3) Phenomenal FREE Documentaries (including teacher’s guides) about topics like The Civil Rights Movement and Caesar Chavez
This Selma: Bridge To The Ballot documentary would make a powerful companion along with the motion picture for older students. I did show the documentary to my 5th graders because the group I had that year was mature enough. We had visited the Center for Civil and Human Rights on a field trip and had been studying Representative John Lewis all year since I got to meet him at a Social Studies conference (which was a humbling experience). I don’t like to brag about it or anything;). I just mention it anytime I can. And I like to show off this picture!
4) Classroom Resources (such as posters)-Teaching Tolerance mailed me some beautifully designed posters for completing a survey last year and they offer others as downloads occasionally. I love the one you see part of above, which is a quote from Representative John Lewis. Speaking of Representative Lewis, that was the year my students and I decorated our classroom door in his honor for Black history Month. You can read about that here later.
7) Webinars for teachers aka that meaningful, practical PD you want to participate in
8) Contests and Initiatives such as Mix it Up which encourage students to think about social boundaries. Here’s a link to a short video with more explanation.
9) Teaching Tolerance Magazine-print/digital versions. The covers are always stunning.
10) Perspectives for a Diverse America-I have saved the best for last. A newer component of the site is a comprehensive anti-bias curriculum which can be embedded into your Social Studies OR literacy instruction because it is aligned with the rigor of the Common Core standards. You can build your own lessons starting with a central text. These passages are often a great starting point for class discussions.
I would love to hear what you come across on this fabulous mecca of support for teachers and how you use it to better address the needs of your students!
I absolutely love that you created a post on this really important topic. The information that you shared is very timely. Cultural awareness, sensitivity and acceptance is so important. All children need to be directly instructed on such matters. As educators, we can't assume that they are receiving such lessons at home; nor, can we wait until they are shared at home. Just like the world around us, our classrooms are ever-changing, and students need to be able to ebb and flow with all of life's changes.
I have a student in my class this year whose family is originally from Turkey. I believe that he is the first generation to be born in America. He does not want to talk about Turkey, doesn't speak any Turkish, and is embarrassed by his name. I have been working very hard to ensure that he, and all of my class, know that his cultural differences are amazing and valuable. They also need to know how much alike our customs and cultures can be. Cultural awareness is spectacular! I am so happy that you embrace this. : )
In any case, I love what you have written! Please keep sharing lessons of diversity with us. You did a great job on this post, my friend!! ; )
Tania
{Teach Me T}
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response Tania! You are absolutely right about kids not being exposed to awareness at home. In fact, sometimes quite the opposite:(. Poor guy. It's really hard for the little ones. I used to do class meetings but haven't formally done them this year due to departmentalization. I do infuse my life coaching into instruction as much as I can though!! I've already told them how I care more about how they are as a person than their test scores. So happy we've connected through the Periscope world! Georgia girls have to stick together:)!!
BRAVO Andrea! What a well written and sensitive perspective you've presented. Teaching Tolerance is a remarkable resource. Thank you for your post
Thank you Tracy:)!!! This is a topic I'm clearly passionate about!!