How do I, as a perceived white, middle-class teacher, better connect with my diverse student population?

Question

I am currently working in my clinical experience in a predominantly Mexican-American and African-American school environment. We're teaching World Societies in all of my observation classes. How can I better relate different cultures to my students as well as find interesting facts about their cultures during different periods of time? Any suggestions for good projects, lessons or assignments? (Please, make sure they are school appropriate and educational.) I do have a few ideas--since I have some experience working with diverse groups before...but I just want to make sure these kids are getting the best they can from their education. And to capture their interest would be one heck of an accomplishment.

Answer 1

Kids will see through any efforts you make. Those efforts will be rewarded with the kids and their parents suing you for racism. I have seen it happen too many times.

Here is what you do. Be yourself. That's it. Be yourself. Let the kids know you care, but be yourself. The kids will see you like them, but you won't try being insincere. They will appreciate this. Trust me.

Answer 2

1. Forget that suggetstion about the stupid Black/White show it was horrible.

2. Connecting to you students is possible by being down to earth, genuine, non-judgemental and having high expectations for them. Don't jump to conclusions regarding their problems and don't take pity on them.

3. If you want to teach culture then just teach it. It seems that this is a great opportunity to bring in visual material that they are familiar with and would be interested in. Think about what televeision shows, movies that they like and bring in examples of those. You could have a week long discussion on the misrepresentation of the Asian culture via kung-fu movies alone. Segments from popular movies like Scarface or the Godfather/Sopranos can be used in the same way. These are not accurate depictions of the cultures, but they are what students think of when they think of those particular cultures. They can be used to help them gain insight into what the truths/similirites between cultures really are.

4. I know there will be some who say that some of my suggestions are too violent or inappropriate, but the students watch them at home already. Just send home a form and get permission. If your adminstrator is like most adminstrators they are too busy to review your lesson plans in depth. So as long as you wrote it in your lesson plan and parental approval you've done your c.y.a. duty.

Answer 3

Have the students do some sort of reflection back to you? An oral history project from older relatives who remember their particular ethnic culture during different time periods? How about a written reflection about /why/ they take pride in their ethnicity (since after all, they have no control over it).

I struggled with a similar question until I realized that connection doesn't have to come from me showing how knowledgeable I am about other cultures, but more it was me showing that I was willing to listen and value each and every one of them.

Answer 4

Do you have any ELL students in your classroom? Sometimes the main reason why they may not be participating as much is because the English language itself is their weak point. You can introduce Spanish vocabulary for some subject areas. This can go for other languages as well. In recognizing their native language, you are assuming and acknowledging the value of it, therefore helping to create a more encompassing environment in the classroom for all cultures. And it doesn't hurt to learn a few words of their language here and there!
You can also reach out to students by asking them what they do for fun, because that in itself is also affected by one's socio-economic status, environment, resources, culture and background. They can then write reflections or stories on that info. They will probably relate to that better because it is happening to them in reality.
You can help them to connect better with facts about their cultures by perhaps creating a timeline for them to see how this country's mix of races came about, including theirs. You can maybe include wars, acts, treaties, etc.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

1) Give them an assignment telling them your background and ask them to write on how their life and background is different. Also ask them how they would go about teaching others about their life as they see it.

2) Ask them to imagine that they were suddenly dropped in a strange country, IE: China, Japan, Iran, Russia, etc. and would have to live there for the rest of there lives. What would you do to fit in?

Answer 6

There is a show on called Black White. People become the other color and try and live in their world. Maybe you can try something like that. a culture day, everyone can try to live that culture for that day.