8.+Relevant+subtopics

=__ Subtopics and Discussions within culture, multiculturalism, and diversity __=

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Mikael Strandberg in his article, [|10 Tips To Connect and Understand Other Cultures], gives several extremely important and simple reminders when dealing with people of other cultures. I believe any educator, before and during their career as a teacher, should adhere to these tips and constantly have them in mind. Taking a large focus of this class and putting it into simple reminders can help one organize and remember some important key points regarding multiculturalism. Remember, when dealing with other cultures, that you are considered a "guest." This can be in a strict sense, such as visiting another country, or in a theoretical sense. When dealing with other cultures, almost act and behave as a guest - that is, be kind and courteous, and realize that you are dealing with difference and to experience it as such. =====

__**Travel **__
Traveling is extremely important when it comes to understanding the important values surrounding multiculturalism. It is one thing to read about or watch a documentary on multiculturalism, but it is an entirely different experience to visit another culture and appreciate different ways of life first hand.

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When dealing with difference, both cultural and in other cases, ask questions if you do not understand. Pretend you witness a person from another culture acting in what you perceive as a strange way. Instead of jumping to conclusions about what you are witnessing, ask the individual about their actions - remember, though, to ask in such as way as to not offend anyone. =====

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Listen to experiences, viewpoints, and ideas of others before telling them about your own. Take the idea "This is how my culture is, and now I am interested in how yours is" and flip it around. Observe other ways of life before you relate to your own culture. This can severely cut down on the ethnocentrism many of us fall trap to. Multiculturalism is all about communication. Far too often our society witnesses cultural differences but simply turns its head to the situation. Talking about differences can help us work through any negative aspects we see about them. Communication can help us work towards a strong understanding and common consensus about culture and diversity. =====

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It is almost instinctual to see a difference in a negative light. But always remember what is different to you is perfectly normal to another individual. Continuing, what is normal to you may seem alien to another person. Don't see other traditions and differences as strange or weird, take them as what they are - differences. =====

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We often assume immigrants and people from other countries should be required to assimilate into our cultural and learn everything there is about us. That said, it is also important that we, at the same time, learn about these immigrants entering our society. We need to take a minute and read about differences - what do these immigrants naturally do differently from us? We can then prepare for these differences and work to adapt and adjust to them. =====

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No one deserves to be talked down to or treated unequally because of their race, gender, sexuality, etc. Taking into account that everyone is different and people should be given the benefit of the doubt in any situation. Treating someone as an equal proves important in the way you deserve to be treated as well. Show the kids that it's okay to be different. Help them to accept others for the way they are, no matter their skin color, religion, or where they come from. Teach them about all different types of cultures, so they can get the feel of what it's like in other places. Make sure that they aren't closed minded and are willing to get the feel of having a different lifestyle. =====

__**Holidays **__
People all celebrate holidays different, experiences from these times come in all shapes and sizes but what matters is why it is important to us and our families. Every holiday from any religion should be treated like the same importance as one another. They help us understand one another and can inform us about different things that we can try in our own holiday traditions. Some holidays can influence a student's day at school. Students may need certain accommodations or might have something going on personally due to religion or religious practice. It is important as teachers to acknowledge different cultural holidays and even certain months such as Black History Month or Hispanic Heritage Month. When students see that their teacher cares, they will take pride in their heritage. __**State Propositions and Laws **__ Teachers should always be aware of the laws and regulations that are passed in regards to multicultural education. For example, Prop 227 which was passed in 1998 in California has basically eliminated bilingual classes. Except for the small percentage of students who qualify for a waiver, all students are taught in English-only classrooms. Arizona’s Prop 203 which was passed in year 2000 is very similar to the California law (Crawford). Teachers need to be aware of these laws, because they might create obstacles in the classrooms. **__ Language __** It is extremely important that everyone knows, understands, and is able to put to practice a second language. We all know that being around people who do not and cannot speak the same language as us can be a bit awkward because there is no common bond. This creates a wedge in society because you cannot connect if you cannot communicate. By learning a second language and using it often it shows not only intelligence but also that the person has a regard and knowledge for another culture and group of people. It allows people to be more accepting of that group of people because they can actually bond and have a common ground. As a teacher it is so important that you know about the cultures of different students in your class and that you are able to relate to each student on an individual basis. Education in America involves students from all around the world, teachers need to be aware how to teach students if they are immigrants or are learning English for the first time. If a teacher does not know how to adapt to teaching foreign students this, can be fatal to their career. It may cause them to struggle to help those students. It is extremely important that everyone knows, understands, and is able to put to practice a second language. It shows not only intelligence but also that the person has a regard and knowledge for another culture and group of people. As a teacher it is so important that you know about the cultures of different students in your class and that you are able to relate to each student on an individual basis. __**Family Cultures **__
 * __Teaching English as a second language __**

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Sometimes culture is not just defined by religion, race or background; I know that some families have their own standards and expectations that are unlike any other family. It is important for educators to be respectful to parents and their wishes for their children. =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students are not the only ones that are diverse. Teachers are just as diverse as their students and it is important to not only be respectful to their students and learn from their students, but teachers should also try and learn from each other; to help their students and the entire environment that they work in. =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes when teaching diverse children we may encounter culture gaps. We need to be aware of these culture gaps so we can close them tightly so that students do not fall through the cracks. If we only teach for one culture then all other cultures in the classroom will miss out on instruction. This is important because all children need to learn and this is more than just good teaching, this is making sure we do not assume students know something and make sure everything is clear. For instance, what if as teachers we give an example related to American, Hispanic, or Chinese culture. I am sure those children who understand the culture will understand the example, but we may have lost the attention of the other students and did not connect this information to something they knew. “Culturally competent teachers contextualize or connect to students’ everyday experiences, and integrate classroom learning with out-of-school experiences and knowledge. Helping learners make the link between their culture and the new knowledge and skills they encounter inside school is at the heart of ensuring that all students achieve at high levels” (Promoting Educators, 2008, p. 2). =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some teachers may believe that this topic should not be mentioned because everyone should know to use their resources, but when under pressure, some teachers may forget that there are resources available. Resources can be found in different forms such as books, posters, brochures, and most importantly peers. It is important to remember that teachers have common experiences and a fellow peer may have different advice on how to teach in a multicultural setting. Their advice may be more effective than reading a book because a book does not tell you how to handle certain situations for different cultures and the best method to resolve these issues will differ than what the book claims. =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each culture has a different way of looking but some look the same as everyone else. Some have can't show as much skin as others and others can wear whatever they want. Some might also have body piercings and body art. What people wear represents them as a person. No matter how different they dress or look they deserve the same respect that everyone else does. =====

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//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Diversity is the magic. It is the first manifestation, the first beginning of the differentiation of a thing and of simple identity. The greater the diversity, the greater the perfection." -[|Thomas Berry] //