Describe how promote sensitivity to racial, cultural, religious, and ethnic differences in teaching?

Question

Describe how you can promote sensitivity to racial, cultural, religious, and ethnic differences in your class ( middle /high school)

Answer 1

well my school board is adding a new course in the high school curriculum starting this fall. it's called something like 'World Religions and Ethics' and it's to talk about all religions, all cultures, and everything like that.

Answer 2

Explain you are open to questions. Lots of kids are confused, but don't want to seem racist in asking.

Answer 3

check out southern poverty law center

they have wonderful materials exactly for this

ex 'teaching tolerance' progarm

Answer 4

The first thing that you should do is to include tolerance as a rule in your general classroom policies. Let students know that it is not ok in your classroom to belittle someone because of their culture, etc. I would include appearance, sexual preferences, making mistakes, other things like that too. The idea is to get kids to accept others so the first step is to make them understand that they cannot make fun of people in your room.

Secondly, I would make this an ongoing theme throughout the year. There are many opportunities to discuss other cultures no matter what subject you teach. The federal government (No Child Left Behind) mandates that all classes teach about Hispanic Heritage, African American History, Women's History, and the Holocaust. You can add Asian American History, Native American History and any others you can think of (especially those most relevant to your community!). The Holocaust is a good place to start because of the fact that the whole thing was really based upon ethnic prejudice. Be sure to discuss ALL of the groups who were targeted. Most students don't realize it was more than just Jews. Be sure to discuss all of the bystanders who watched it happen and did nothing. It is a great way to start the culture of sensitivity in your classroom that you are looking for!

The main thing is just keep it up. If you hear someone belittling another person, say something to them! Eventually, they will begin to correct the other students themselves. That's when you will know you reached them!

Teaching Tolerance has some great materials! They will send you a free kit- I recommend Shadow of Hate.  Good luck.  It sounds to me like you are really going to teach the students something important this year!

Answer 5

I make sure that my classroom is global. What I mean by that is that I don't have to just do lessons on cultural diversity, but I need to represent it in my classroom. There is a wonderful book called Roots to Wings where it shows you how to have your room represent the world.