Multiculturalism In Education

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Multiculturalism: the preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a unified society, as a state or a nation. (dictionary.com). Culture: The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. As a Senior pre-service teacher in the 21st century, I am well aware of the buzz factor surrounding the word multiculturalism. It is the way the world, and therefore our classrooms are going, and nothing is as sure as this. The original “melting pot,” the United States is becoming more diverse every day. As teachers in this changing society, it will be our duty to teach multiculturalism to our students more thoroughly and purposefully than in years past. One effective way to incorporate and integrate cultural themes into the classroom is through children’s literature. In this paper, I will explore the need for multicultural education, why literature is an effective way to teach multiculturalism, and finally, some practical ideas for implementation in the classroom. When looking at the facts, it is not hard to see why there is an increasing need for multicultural education. In south Carolina alone, there has been a near 50% increase in foreign-born residents from 2000 to 2005. The trends are similar in other states. As teachers, it is our job to prepare our students for the world that lies ahead. Since this world is proving to be an extremely diverse one, our education practices must follow suit. Especially in areas that may have a less diverse population, teachers should present a picture of America that is more representative of current multiculturalism. This better prepares students for what they will encounter in the future, helps them to dispel myths and prejudices surrounding cultures other than their own, and encourages respect of differences from a young age.

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