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Diversity in the ClassroomDelores Harris
November,2013
“To keep the Golden Rule we must put ourselves in other people’s places. If we had the imagination to do that. . .fewer
bitter judgments would pass our lips, fewer racial, national, and class prejudices would stain our lives.”
---Harry Emerson Fosdick
Student teachers should:
Identify at least four (4) diversities in the Jamaican society.
Define the term diversity .
Identify five (5) diversities in the Jamaican classroom .
Develop an understanding of attitudes towards diversity.
Evaluate how beliefs about these issues impact on behavior impact on the Jamaican classroom .
Reflect on and share experiences, memories of diversity in the classroom.
Examine strategies for managing diversity in the classroom.
Definition of Diversity
• The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance
and respect.
• It means understanding that each individual is
unique and recognizing our individual differences.
Diversity.…
• It includes knowing how to relate to those qualities and conditions that are
different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong yet are
present in other individuals and groups..
• We acknowledge that categories
of difference are not always fixed
but also can be fluid
We respect individual rights to self-
identification, and we recognize that
no one culture is intrinsically superior
to another.
It is the exploration of these difference in a safe and nurturing environment.
It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to
embracing and celebrating the rich dimension of diversity contained within each individual
Diversity in Jamaican Society
Gender
Social class/socio-economic factors
Religions
Geographical location
(Access, Equality, Equity)
Diversity in Jamaica resulted from slavery:-the coming of Africans to work on sugar plantations
Emancipation- the coming of the east Indians to work in the Caribbean
Result –an island with many races, cultures, beliefs, values and interests
Races/ Ethnic Groups Religious groups Social groups
Africans Christians Upper
Chinese Buddhism Middle
Indians Hindus Low
Jews Judaism
Syrians Muslims
Lebanese Rastafarians
Poverty, often results in crime
Different family types e.g. simple-parent households often headed by a female
Teenage mothers and fathers
Abused children
Racial/ social/color class
Cultural
Sexual
Gender role/Socialization
Exceptionalities (gifted
Students, at-risk students)
Festivals and celebrations
Dress
Cuisine
Rites of passages e.g. birth , death and the coming of age rituals
Language
music
EquityFairness: actions, treatment of others, or a general condition
characterized by justice, fairness, and impartiality.
Access
entry or approach: a means of entering or approaching a place.
opportunity for use: the opportunity or right to experience or make use of something.
right to meet somebody: the opportunity to meet somebody.
Equality
State of being equal: rights, treatment, quantity, or value equal to all others in a specific group.
the right or privilege to approach, reach, enter, or make use of something.
Behaviors and attitudes related to diversity in the classroom
Prejudices/biases Opinion formed beforehand: a preformed
opinion, usually an unfavorable one, based on insufficient knowledge, irrational feelings, or inaccurate stereotypes
Irrational dislike of somebody: an unfounded hatred, fear, or mistrust of a person or group, especially one of a particular religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference, or social status
Stereotyping
Reduce somebody to oversimplified category: to categorize individuals or groups according to an oversimplified standardized image or idea.
Gender stereotypes are broad categories that reflect impressions and beliefs about behaviour for females and males
Labels and the effect they have on students self esteem and self concept
Career orientation and subject selection
Socially sensitive issues
Professional counseling
Peer counseling
Managing diversity in the classroom
Identify your own attitudes toward diversity .
Establish an environment where everyone feels comfortable (non-threatening) .
Get to know your student
Don’t make assumptions
Value all children in your care and talk to them all in the same tone of vice and use the same kind of words.
.
Avoid stereotypes-all jobs in the classroom should be done by both classes.
Use group work and cooperative learning- that works to improve relations and create friendships between the to (2) sexes.
Treat everyone equally-give equal time re your attention, questioning and participation in class activities