Cowper, Katie

Module 501
01/24/17

Your Culture is Different

1. We are so fortunate to live and work in California. We can walk into almost any

classroom in Orange County and see the unique and diverse population reflected in our

students. Depending on where I work, it might be more difficult for me to relate to or

even understand my students. The most important thing I can do so that my students and I

are comfortable with each other is to get to know one another. Burden and Byrd state on

page 41 of our text, Methods for Effective Teaching, that to celebrate diversity we need

to, Show that you appreciate and value the diversity that is reflected in the students in

the classroom. In turn, students will feel appreciated, rather than different, and this will

make them feel more comfortable in the classroom. I can start this process by sharing

more about myself and my culture through a PowerPoint presentation on who I am; this

might include my family, pets, favorite music or foods or things that are important to me.

This activity can provide more ways in which my students and I can relate to one another.

Making books with each of the students that reflect who they are is a fun way to engage

all students in getting to know more about each other and their culture. Talking with my

students and remembering things about them and commenting can also show them that I

value who they are and what they have to say. If I take the time to know my students and

put the effort in for them to know me, my classroom will be a welcoming and safe place

where students can feel valued and have the confidence to learn, make mistakes and

grow.
2. Classroom management is key in promoting on-task and positive, expected behaviors.

Our text highlights the work of Derman-Sparks and Edwards and their contribution of the
 Cowper, Katie
Module 501
01/24/17

four goals of antibias education on page 41. Creating an antibias educational environment

means that I will immediately intervene when an incident occurs, pausing what the class

is doing to use the situation as a teachable moment, combatting bias and prejudice

attitudes and behavior. Children need to be aware of their culture and have the ability to

communicate freely and proudly who they are, who their family is and what their

customs and culture means to them. I am responsible for creating a safe and encouraging

educational environment that fosters and honors my diverse population of students.

Character education can play a key role in supporting positive interpersonal and

intrapersonal skills, helping students to become self-aware and creating and maintaining

positive social identities (Burden & Byrd, 2013, p.41)

References

Burden, P.R., &Byrd, D.M. (2013). Methods for Effective Teaching: Meeting the Needs of all

Students. Boston: Pearson. Page 41