Multiculturalism in the Classroom

Aisha Sherazi

March 2011

Who Are Your Students?

Are some students different from others?

What are their needs?

How does understanding differences help you?

What kind of environment are you aiming to have in your classroom?

Potential

How do students achieve their potentials?– More motivated– Student aspirations– Grades– “Happy”

What are your expectations in the classroom?

Who Are Your Students Culturally?

Some immigrants

Some born here

Some speak many languages as well as English/ French

Some are from warn-torn countries

Some have educated parents, others do not

Who Are Your Students Spiritually? Numerous sects/ denominations

May come from practicing/ observant homes

May come from secular homes

Cultures often mix into religious practices, some of which don’t have roots in the faith at all

Where Do Values Fit In?

Honesty

Respect

Trust

Hard work

Caring

Sharing

Kindness

Where Do Parents Fit In?

– Value education

– Are seeking better opportunities

– May feel detached from system

– Try to instill the importance of respect for elders

– Are somewhat conventional in their thinking

Some Parents

Are detached and despondent

Some are single mother families with numerous children and little support

To have a child attend university under these circumstances is a big achievement

Accommodations

Prayer Fasting Holidays Dress Mixed gender activities in general Food Music/ Dance

Crucial that in any accommodation, an atmosphere of sharing and learning is adopted as an approach, rather than an atmosphere of seclusion or isolation/ separation

School Project Ideas

Peace circles for conflict situations, particularly with young people from war torn countries

Multicultural clubs and societies that foster mutual respect and sharing

Pot lucks for social occasions

Interfaith holiday celebrations

Offer language workshop days, giving students a chance to share other languages that they speak

Knowing Students

Open dialogue

Take time to find out backgrounds from students by developing personal relationships with them

Seek out help from community if possible, or multicultural liaison officers that bridge the gap

Encourage students to become part of the culture of the school itself, through student associations etc.

Small Communities

Individual experience

Becomes a collective experience

Lack of communication can do more harm than we think

Vulnerability of Young People

Young people wired in

Wealth of information available online

– Some incorrect– Some political in nature– Feeds into victimization

culture

Some not connected to community

Lack of guidance

Conflict Management Strategies

Get the facts

Clarify values

Check perceptions

Negotiate methods

Adjust to personalities

Seek to understand cultural/ religious differences

Conflict Triangle

Mrs. Muddle a Good Model