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

by de Melendez, Wilma Robles; Beck, Verna Ostertag

• ISBN13: 9781428376984
• ISBN10: 1428376984
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-02-10
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN IN MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOMS: ISSUES, CONCEPTS, AND STRATEGIES, 3rd Edition, is a comprehensive text on the historical, theoretical, political, and sociological aspects of multicultural education as it relates to young children. The text provides practical guidelines, curriculum suggestions, and techniques for use in the classroom. This third edition includes updated content on demographics, children with special needs, and children's book lists. Readers will also 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 addition to being a text for those studying to become early childhood teachers, TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN IN MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOMS: ISSUES, CONCEPTS, AND STRATEGIES, 3rd Edition, is a comprehensive resource for all practicing professionals who work with young children on a daily basis.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
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	p. 4
School-The Place of Diversity and Action	p. 5
How Did We Become a Culturally Diverse Society?	p. 7
The United States: A Kaleidoscope of People	p. 29
Pondering What We Have Examined	p. 31
A Call for Action	p. 32
Creating Your Standards Portfolio	p. 35
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 37
Things to Do ...	p. 37
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 38
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 39
References	p. 39
The Nature of Culture, the Nature of People
Culture, the Magic Web of Life	p. 44
Discovering the Cultures of Children	p. 51
A Myriad of Cultural Identities: The Essence of Cultural Diversity	p. 56
Talking About Race and Ethnicity	p. 61
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 74
Things to Do ...	p. 75
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 75
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 75
References	p. 76
Families in Our Classrooms: Many Ways, Many Voices
Families-A Constant in Our Changing Society	p. 80
What Is a Family?	p. 80
Culture and the Family	p. 87
Diversity in Child-Rearing Practices	p. 92
The Family Structure	p. 94
Working with Diverse Families: Challenges and Opportunities	p. 103
Family Diversity: Implications for Teachers	p. 105
Successful Families	p. 105
The Family-The Most Important Element in Our Lives	p. 108
Our Classrooms, the Mirror of the Children's Families	p. 109
Families-The Essence of Social and Cultural Life	p. 112
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 113
Things to Do ...	p. 113
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 114
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 114
References	p. 115
Who Is the Child? Developmental Characteristics of Young Children in a Diverse Society
Looking at Children: So Alike and Yet So Different	p. 120
Development: The Process of Becoming	p. 121
Socialization: Learning to Be with Others, Learning to Be Ourselves	p. 130
Discovering That You Are Not Like Me	p. 137
Knowing the Child	p. 153
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 153
Things to Do ...	p. 153
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 154
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 154
References	p. 155
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	p. 160
In Search of Educational Equality	p. 161
Looking Back Through Time	p. 162
A Time Line for Multicultural Education	p. 163
The Road to Multicultural Education	p. 172
The Birth of Multicultural Education	p. 177
The Road Is Finally Laid	p. 188
Moving Ahead	p. 188
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 189
Things to Do ...	p. 190
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 190
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 191
References	p. 191
Approaches to Multicultural Education: Ways and Designs for Classroom Implementation
Time for Decisions	p. 196
Why Engage in Educational Reform?	p. 196
Getting to Work	p. 197
Exploring Approaches and Models	p. 198
Models of Multicultural Education	p. 201
Early Childhood Multicultural Approaches	p. 226
Reflecting on the Approaches for Multicultural Education	p. 233
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 233
Things to Do ...	p. 234
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 234
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 235
References	p. 235
Into Action: Implementing a Culturally Appropriate Program for All Children
The Classroom, Where Words Become Action
Reaffirming the Decision to Teach Multiculturally	p. 240
Teachers Are the Key to Successful Multicultural Education	p. 242
Why Planning Is So Important	p. 247
Knowing Your Program	p. 247
What Is Curriculum Content in Early Childhood Education?	p. 255
Standards for Teaching in Diverse Classrooms	p. 259
Making Decisions: What Is Best for Multicultural Teaching?	p. 260
Putting Things Together	p. 274
Setting Directions	p. 274
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 275
Things to Do ...	p. 275
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 275
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 276
References	p. 276
Preparing to Bring Ideas into Action
A Time for Ideas: Planning for Multicultural Teaching	p. 280
Designing a Child-Centered Curriculum	p. 286
Focus on the Environment	p. 292
Establishing the Content	p. 295
Assessment in Multicultural Classrooms	p. 301
Putting Everything Together	p. 304
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 309
Things to Do ...	p. 309
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 310
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 310
References	p. 311
Activities and Resources for Multicultural Teaching: A World of Possibilities!
Building a Classroom for Our Multicultural Society	p. 314
Making the Best Use of Teaching Environments	p. 318
A Classroom for Teaching and Learning About Diversity	p. 319
What We Find in the Classroom	p. 320
Guidelines for a Multicultural Classroom Environment	p. 322
Preparing to Design Activities for the Classroom-Ideas in Action	p. 347
The Stage Is Set!	p. 361
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 361
Things to Do ...	p. 362
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 362
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 363
References	p. 363
A World of Resources: Engaging Families, Friends, and the Community
Working Together: The Essence of a Child's Success	p. 368
Changing Communities, Changing Realities	p. 368
Defining Family Involvement	p. 370
At Home: Where the Self Begins, Where We Become	p. 378
The School Neighborhood and the Community	p. 391
Communication: The Road to Positive Relationships	p. 397
Ideas for Planning Activities with Families	p. 405
What Lies Ahead?	p. 409
Before We End, a Word to the Reader	p. 409
What We Have Learned-Chapter Summary	p. 410
Things to Do ...	p. 410
Recommended Internet Resources	p. 410
Your Standards Portfolio	p. 411
Organizations and Advocates for Parents and Families	p. 411
References	p. 413
Appendices
Recommended List of Selected Multicultural Children's Books	p. 415
Organizations That Support Multiculturalism and Diversity	p. 420
Developing Multicultural Awareness: Sample Activities	p. 422
Island Stick Puppets	p. 426
Planning for Cultural Diversity: Developing a Class Profile	p. 427
Glossary	p. 429
Index	p. 435
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