Module 3

Module 3: Culture in Society and Education

  As we realized in our I AM introductions, we are all members of different groups.  Association with one group may have made us feel proud, while we may have experienced unfair treatment because of association with another group.  In this module we will explore the similarities and differences between culture and race and understand how highlighting the similarity creates a more culturally responsive classroom.  You will be reading an article that attempts to dispel myths of stereotypes.  As with all material, think about how this relates to your past experiences in school and society.  And more importantly, envision how this will relate to your future teaching.

2.  Read Article: Teaching With a Multicultural Perspective

• • What does the article say about teaching with diversity in mind?

  • What are some myths shared in this reading?  Do you agree?

  • How would this look in your own classroom?

3.  View documentary film below:  What's Race Got to Do With It? 

This film chronicles the journey of a diverse group of students participating in a 15-week inter-group dialogue program at U.C. Berkeley. As the students share personal stories, debate hot topics, and confront one another about the role race plays in their lives, they make discoveries about their preconceived ideas and assumptions, and in so doing, help us begin to disentangle our own. The film goes beyond identity politics, celebratory history and guilt trips to help viewers “see through” achievement myths and create a safe space for open, honest exchange, particularly within educational environments.

    Although this is just an introductory clip to the film, I want you to think about the issues raised and how this will apply to classroom teaching. 

• • From what background will your students come, when you are teaching in your own class? 

  • Will this change each year? 

  • How will you be prepared to teach students of diverse backgrounds?

4.  Watch the three video clips below:

How might we discuss racial/ethnic/skin color stereotypes in classrooms?  View the video clips below.  This is a study that was revisited by CNN reporter Anderson Cooper that chronicles young children grades K-6 and asks questions about skin color and attitudes connected to them.

As we have learned this week, there are many stereotypes that exist in society today regarding students from various backgrounds.  The article from this week looked at dispelling stereotypes and myths and how we as teachers can counter the stereotypes by teaching our own students about embracing differences and diversity.  Each week, it is your responsibility to take the information shared, decide whether you agree or disagree, and then consider how you might use this information in your teaching.  It is extremely important to learn about theory and why things are the way they are.  But it is doubly important to think about practice, how this will translate in your own teaching. 

Important Concepts to Explore This Week:

• • Race vs. Ethnicity

  • Racism

  • Institutional Racism

  • Stereotypes

  • Educational Disparities

  • Under representation

  • Dominant Culture

How does culture influence learning?