Teaching Young Children in Multicultural Classrooms Issues, Concepts, and Strategies

by de Melendez, Wilma Robles

• ISBN13: 9781418039417
• ISBN10: 1418039411
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-09
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

In addition to being a text for those studying to become early childhood teachers, Teaching Young Children in Multicultural Classrooms: Issues, Concepts, and Strategies 2E is a comprehensive resource for practicing professionals who work with young children every day. The authors are able to share their own experiences as both immigrants and instructors to provide historical, theoretical, political, and sociological aspects of multicultural education as it relates to young children. In addition, the authors provide practical guidelines, curriculum suggestions, and techniques for use in the classroom. This long-awaited revision also includes new chapter features for comprehension and application, as well as updated content on demographics, children with special needs, and children's book lists. In addition, readers can follow Barbara, a kindergarten teacher, through the chapters to see how she handles the dilemmas and issues that arise in her day-to-day work in the classroom. The authors have worked to address the very fluid nature of terminology and trends within the field and the results of those efforts are reflected in each chapter. A portfolio experience based on INTASC standards has also been included to help students make the important connection from what they are reading to how that content applies in a classroom setting. Teaching Young Children in Multicultural Classrooms: Issues, Concepts, and Strategies 2E, includes comprehensive current and future trends, addresses the contemporary and imminent directions of multicultural education and provides many practical classroom ideas for implementation.

Table of Contents

Preface	x
PART I Foundations for Multicultural Education in Today's Early Childhood Classrooms
Facing the Reality of Diversity: The Intricate Nature of Our Society
The United States---A Nation of Contrasts	4	(1)
School---The Arena of Diversity and Action	5	(1)
How Did We Become a Culturally Diverse Society?	6	(27)
Pondering What We Have Examined	33	(1)
The United States: A Kaleidoscope of People	34	(3)
A Call for Action	37	(3)
Points to Remember	40	(1)
Things to Do . . .	41	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	42	(3)
Children's Literature Corner	45	(1)
References	45	(5)
The Nature of Culture, the Nature of People
Culture, the Magic Web of Life	50	(14)
A Myriad of Cultural Identities: The Essence of Cultural Diversity	64	(5)
Talking About Race and Ethnicity	69	(16)
Your Standards Portfolio	85	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	85	(1)
References	86	(4)
Families in Our Classrooms: Many Ways, Many Voices
Families---A Constant in Our Changing Society	90	(1)
What Is a Family?	90	(9)
Culture and the Family	99	(5)
Diversity in Childrearing Practices	104	(2)
The Family Structure	106	(9)
The Challenge of Working with Different Families: Implications for Teachers	115	(1)
Family Diversity: Implications for Teachers	115	(4)
The Family---The Most Important Element in Our Lives	119	(5)
Families---The Essence of Social Life	124	(2)
Things to Do . . .	126	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	127	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	127	(1)
References	128	(4)
Who Is the Child? Developmental Characteristics of Young Children
Looking at Children: So Alike and Yet So Different	132	(1)
Development: The Process of Becoming	132	(9)
Socialization: Learning to Be with Others, Learning to Be Ourselves	141	(5)
Social Learning Happens All Around Us	146	(6)
Discovering That You Are Not Like Me	152	(17)
Knowing the Child	169	(1)
Things to Do . . .	169	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	170	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	170	(1)
References	170	(6)
PART II Exploring the Roots of Multicultural Education: Issues and Directions
Everything Started When . . . Tracing the Beginnings of Multicultural Education
Setting the Stage: We Believe in Children	176	(1)
In Search of Educational Equality	177	(2)
A Time Line of Multicultural Education	179	(14)
The Road to Multicultural Education	193	(5)
The Birth of Multicultural Education	198	(7)
Linguistic Diversity: Another Descriptor of Multiculturalism	205	(4)
The Road Is Finally Laid	209	(2)
Moving Ahead	211	(1)
Things to Do . . .	211	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	211	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	212	(1)
References	212	(4)
Approaches to Multicultural Education: Ways and Designs for Classroom Implementation
Time for Decisions	216	(1)
Why Engage in Educational Reform?	216	(1)
Getting to Work	216	(2)
Exploring Models and Approaches	218	(3)
Models of Multicultural Education	221	(25)
Early Childhood Multicultural Approaches	246	(5)
Reflecting on the Approaches for Multicultural Education	251	(1)
Things to Do . . .	252	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	253	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	253	(1)
References	254	(6)
PART III Into Action: Implementing a Cultural Program for Children
The Classroom, Where Words Become Action
Reaffirming the Decision to Teach Multiculturally	260	(1)
Where Do You Start?	261	(1)
Teachers Are the Key to Successful Multicultural Education	261	(2)
Becoming a Good Multicultural Early Educator	263	(3)
Why Planning Is So Important	266	(1)
Knowing Your Program	266	(6)
What Is Curriculum Content?	272	(2)
Using Child Development Concepts	274	(3)
Standards for Diverse Classrooms	277	(1)
Making Decisions: What Is Best for Multicultural Teaching?	278	(1)
Discovering the Reality of Your Programs	279	(12)
Putting Things Together	291	(4)
Things to Do . . .	295	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	296	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	296	(1)
References	297	(3)
Preparing to Bring Ideas into Action
A Time for Ideas: Planning for Multicultural Teaching	300	(5)
Designing a Child-Centered Curriculum	305	(7)
Focus on the Environment	312	(3)
Establishing the Content	315	(6)
Assessment in Multicultural Classrooms	321	(4)
Putting Everything Together	325	(6)
Things to Do . . .	331	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	332	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	332	(1)
References	333	(3)
Activities and Resources for Multicultural Teaching: A World of Possibilities!
Building a Classroom for Our Multicultural Society	336	(4)
Making the Best Use of Teaching Environments	340	(1)
A Classroom for Teaching and Learning About Diversity	341	(1)
What Do We Find in the Classroom?	342	(2)
Guidelines for a Multicultural Classroom Environment	344	(26)
Preparing to Design Activities for the Classroom	370	(1)
Planning for Multiple Perspective Learning	371	(16)
The Stage Is Set!	387	(1)
Things to Do . . .	387	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	388	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	389	(1)
References	389	(5)
A World of Resources: Involving Families, Friends, and the Community
Working Together: The Essence of a Child's Success	394	(3)
Involving Everyone in the Family	397	(7)
At Home: Where the Self Begins, Where We Become	404	(14)
The School Neighborhood and the Community	418	(4)
Communication: The Road to Positive Relationships	422	(10)
Ideas for Planning Activities with Families	432	(4)
What Lies Ahead?	436	(1)
Before We End, a Word to the Reader	437	(1)
Things to Do . . .	437	(1)
Your Standards Portfolio	438	(1)
Organizations and Advocates for Parents and Families	439	(1)
Children's Literature Corner	440	(1)
References	440	(3)
Appendices
List of Multicultural Children's Books	443	(4)
Organizations That Support Multiculturalism and Diversity	447	(2)
Developing Multicultural Awareness: Sample Activities	449	(4)
Patterns for Persona Dolls	453	(1)
Learning About Islands	454	(1)
Island Stick Puppets	455	(1)
Planning for Cultural Diversity: Developing a Class Profile	456	(1)
Glossary	457	(4)
Index	461