Field Experience Strategies for Exploring Diversity in Schools

by Powell, Richard R.; Garcia, Jesus; Zehm, Stanley

• ISBN13: 9780023963117
• ISBN10: 0023963115
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-10-10
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Upon completing this book and engaging in its various activities, readers will become more sensitive to cultural issues surrounding their classroom curriculum and instruction. Based upon action research and constr uctivist principles, this book helps readers understand (1) how their own personal biographies relate to classroom instruction, (2) how unintentional cultural bias can greatly impact their studentsO willingness to learn, and (3) how diversity surroun ds every moment in todayOs classrooms.

Table of Contents

(NOTE: Each chapter ends with a Summary, Notes, and Reference section.)

I. PREPARING FOR FIELD EXPERIENCE.

1. Moving Toward a Multicultural Perspective.

Discovering Cultural Diversity in the Classroom. Toward a Multicultural Perspective. Why Explore Cultural Diversity in School Classrooms? Assumptions for Exploring Diversity.

2. Exploring Culturally Diverse Classrooms: Becoming Teacher as Researcher.

Introduction. Who Are Teachers as Researchers? What Purposeful Research Does for You. Benefits for Doing Research. The Process of Purposive Teacher Research. Developing a Research Support System. Appendix A: Latino Parents' Perspectives of Student Assessment.

3. Examining Your Autobiography and Beliefs About Cultural Integration.

Introduction. Beliefs About Integration. Beliefs About Integration in the School Classroom. Research Topics.

4. Assessing Your Readiness for Teaching in Culturally Diverse Classrooms.

Introduction. Teacher Background and Multicultural Readiness. Why Focus on Readiness? Teacher Qualities for Developing Multicultural Readiness. Toward a Definition of Readiness. Activities for Assessing and Developing Readiness. RESEARCH TOPIC: Teacher Readiness for Culturally Diverse Classrooms.

5. Using Multicultural Concepts in Diverse Settings.

Introduction. Cultural Diversity and Today's Teachers. Defining Multicultural Education. Cultural Pluralism at the Turn of the 20th Century. Cultural Pluralism in the First Half of the 20th Century. Cultural Pluralism in the Second Half of the 20th Century. A Review of Terms and Definitions. Contemporary Terms and Definitions. Additional Terms and Concepts. Multicultural Education: What Do I Do Now?

II. CONDUCTING FIELD EXPERIENCE.

6. Examining Culturally Diverse Schools.

Contemporary Schools and Their Students. Multicultural Schools: Exploring Visions of the Possible. Shared Features of Culturally Diverse Schools. RESEARCH TOPIC: Features of Multicultural Schools: A Case Study. Appendix A: Strategies for Selecting Schools and Conducting Case Studies. Appendix B: Criteria for Selecting Culturally Diverse Schools. Appendix C: Protocol for Interviewing Teachers.

7. Discovering the Strategies of Effective Teachers.

Discovering the Qualities of Effective Multicultural Educators. Biographical Sketches. Shared Themes of Teachers' Classroom Instruction. Research Topic: Exploring Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learners.

8. Discovering Beliefs About Cultural Diversity in Your Community, District, and School.

Introduction. Leadership for Cultural Diversity. Actions of Community and School Leaders. A Story of Classroom Leadership for Cultural Diversity. Excerpts From Miguel's Observation Journal. Examining District Cultural Diversity Policies. Examining Your School's Commitment to Cultural Diversity. Beyond the Rhetoric: Examining School Practices.

9. Assessing Learning in Culturally Diverse Learning Environments.

Introduction. Purposes for Assessing Learning and Teaching. Multiple Intelligence (MI) Theory. Standardized Testing and Cultural Diversity. Alternative Assessment Strategies. RESEARCH TOPIC: Examining School and Classroom Assessment Practices. Further Reading on Multiple Intelligence Theory.

10. Rethinking Management in Culturally Diverse Classrooms: Alternative Strategies.

Introduction. The Continuum of Classroom Management. Rethinking the Classroom Management Metaphor. Toward an Alternative Model of Management. Trying Out Alternative Models. Contractual Classroom Management. Additional Models of Management. RESEARCH TOPIC: Exploring Alternative Models of Management.

11. Implementing Culturally Relevant Curriculum.

Recognizing Sociocultural Dimensions of Curriculum. Understanding Culturally Relevant Curricula. Textbooks and Related Instructional Materials. Challenges for Developing a Culturally Relevant Curriculum. Toward a Culturally Relevant Curriculum. RESEARCH TOPIC: Assessing Classroom Curriculum for Cultural Relevancy.

III. REFLECTING ON FIELD EXPERIENCE.

12. Synthesizing Your Personal Practical Philosophy for Teaching Diverse Learners.

Critical Reflective Thinking: Getting in Touch with Your Personal Practical Philosophy for Teaching Diverse Learners. Your Personal Practical Philosophy for Teaching Diverse Learners. Thinking Reflectively on Diversity in Schools. Conclusion.

Index.