Mark Shaffer Essays - Education, Critical Pedagogy, Multiculturalism

Mark Shaffer James Banks James Banks believes that there should be more multicultural education taught in schools. Education about ethnic diversity treats cultural pluralism within a nation-state by studying different traits from different groups, which determine one group from another. He believes that a major goal of education in a free society is acceptance of cultural pluralism as a national strength and not an obstacle. Individuals of various minority groups may maintain their ethnic identities while sharing a common culture with Americans from many different ethnic backgrounds. (http://ericae.net/edo/ED273539.htm) A suggestion made on how to incorporate more multicultural issues is that social studies education should build consensus on core civic values important to all Americans. These include the rule of law, representative and limited government, and civil liberties, including toleration of the respect of the rights of individuals and ethnic minority groups. Banks believes that educators who recognize and respect their students' ethnic identities should also prepare them to assume common obligations and responsibilities of citizenship which involve shared civic values embodied in basic documents of the American heritage. Although students and teachers may participate variously within different microcultures, they also come together within the American mainstream culture, especially the civic culture. (http://ericae.net/edo/ED273539.htm) James Banks has four basic levels to what he thinks will reform the curriculum. Level 1 is called the contribution approach. This is when the Heroes, heroines, holidays, foods, and discrete cultural elements are celebrated occasionally. (See the chart) This is the level I think most schools are at now. Level 2 is called the additive approach. This is where things are added to the curriculum without the structure changing. Level 3 is called the transformation approach. This approach says, the structure of the curriculum is changed to enable students to view concepts, issues, events, and themes from the perspectives of the diverse ethnic and cultural groups. (See the chart) Finally, the 4th level is called the action approach. This is when the students are encouraged to take action to help solve important personal, social, and civic problems. (See the chart) It would not be a hard thing to incorporate diversity issues into a physical education class. Every sport or dance or activity had to originate from somewhere. So what I would do is give each child a sport or activity to do a project on. Each child would get a different activity that came from a different place. The child would then teach the class about his or her activity and where it originated. This activity, I think, would best fit into Banks level three. The structure of the class would change and the students would learn things that are taught nowhere else in the school. References 1. The chart 2. http://ericae.net/edo/ED273539.htm Bibliography References 1. The chart 2. http://ericae.net/edo/ED273539.htm

Free Essays on Learning English In The Mathematics And Science Classroom

is the exploration of word origin in an effort for students to grasp mathematical languages. The second strategy: everyday language, can be used as a strategy to develop mathematical knowledge and communication. According to the writer, teachers should not overlook everyday language as a learni... Free Essays on Learning English In The Mathematics And Science Classroom Free Essays on Learning English In The Mathematics And Science Classroom Stepanek the author of the article quoted that learning is the process of developing and negotiating meaning, which is usually through the medium of language. The author further stated that because language is the primary means of teaching, student’s ability to participate in mathematics and science is dependent on their language ability. The writer didn’t limit the importance of language to just teaching, she also stated that it is in the way they think and communicate what they know. The writer in support of Language and learning mathematics quoted Cocking â€Å"language proficiency plays a role in mathematics achievement.† The author of the article in promoting the use of language highlighted a suggestion made by Warren, Rosebery and their Cheche Konnen colleagues, which encourages teachers to rethink their approach, using diverse languages as a bridge rather than a barrier to learning mathematics. The author of the article highlighted two tools/ strategies to enhance mathematics through language development, they are: finding the right words and using everyday language. In this are the author suggest that the languages of mathematics and science are different from the language that students use socially, therefore what the author is saying is that students are likely to benefit from languages that targets unfamiliar words, expressions, and syntax. A key area the author highlighted when finding the right words is a need for the students to learn the difference between how words are used in an everyday context and their meaning in mathematics. The final area highlighted by the author under finding the right words is the exploration of word origin in an effort for students to grasp mathematical languages. The second strategy: everyday language, can be used as a strategy to develop mathematical knowledge and communication. According to the writer, teachers should not overlook everyday language as a learni...