Culture
To embrace diversity in the classroom, I celebrate each student as an individual. Towards this end, I read a variety of picture books that feature diverse characters, have family pictures prominently displayed in the classroom, ensure all ethnicities are represented in dramatic play, provide paper and crayons that represent a variety of skin tones, and encourage students and their families to discuss their culture. I consistently demonstrate love and acceptance which students need to become productive world citizens.
After reading multicultural books such as I Love My Hair! by Natasha Anastasis Tarpley, Brave by Stacy McAnulty, Lailaah’s Lunchbox by Teem Faruqi and Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina, students participated in a Culture Day during remote teaching. They were encouraged to dress in a way that represented their culture and/or bring a culturally significant object to our class.
Ayden informed the class that his family celebrated Lunar New Year. He told us that his red outfit meant happiness and good fortune.
Ahana wore a sari and explained it is a type of Indian art. She told us that her family celebrates Diwali.
Sofia came to our remote class dressed in a Lehenga, an Indian dress worn for special occasions. She told us that she wore this dress at her cousin’s wedding.
One of our students
then made a sign showing the different ways to say hello in the languages of our class!
At the start of each unit, I make a Parent language document in all of the languages spoken by the families in my class to describe the different weeks.
At the conclusion of our Bread unit, families were invited to bring in bread from their culture. The children acted as chefs as they handed out the bread and enjoyed a feast.