Teaching and Critical Pedagogy
SCHOOL
AND SOCIETY
ES 395
____________________________
"Skim, Scan, and Copy" Materials: Chapter 4
Chapter four takes a look at student diversity. Students need to understand that their classrooms may not be filled with all white students; the population of today's classrooms have changed a great deal. Consider: beyond African American, are you prepared to deal with other cultures such as Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans? How do these cultures view themselves? What are their special needs? What responsibility do schools have for addressing their special needs as students and as people?
Your job is to become more aware of issues related to diversity in the classroom. Skim, scan, and copy material from the following and be prepared to make connections to Spring :
- Read and copy Ellison Durant's speech regarding the Immigration Act of 1924. Note the subtle racism pervading the law. Consider: Exactly what did 1924 law accomplish? Why was it needed? What were the effects? Compare this to the Patriot Act and post- 9/11 America. How do these types of laws affect non-white cultures? What has changed since 1924? How do you feel about the government creating such laws regarding immigrants , especially if you consider Ellis Island and the idea that America is a place that warmly accepts all kinds of people?
- Take a look at the history of educational reforms in this country and their effects on immigrant populations .
- Find out whether teachers are prepared for language diversity in American classrooms.
- Find out more about Mexican American and public schools , especially in regard to segregation.
- What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino ? Who gets to decide which is which? Find out more about the history of the terms.
- Learn more about the history of Native Americans when it comes to public schools, or maybe in general.
- Explore the history of education when it comes to Asian Americans in this country.
- How can teachers become more culturally responsive to today's changing student population? Are teachers prepared for the realities of language diversity?