Alexis Amash's Portfolio Page

About Me: Early Childhood Educator

I am currently qualified as an Inclusive Early Childhood Educator through Cazenovia College that is currently working towards a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology through SUNY Albany. I am employed as an infant and toddler teacher at an early learning center for children 6 weeks old to 6 years of age. I have almost 8 years experience in child care and education, I couldn't picture myself doing anything else!

My Topic: Multicultural Education in the Classroom

Mini-Course Topic

Multicultural Education in the Classroom

Introduction

A common barrier that 21st century educators seem to be encountering in the classroom is how to include different types of learners, whether it be through lessons, materials, or experiences.

The inclusion of diverse and culturally appropriate texts, manipulatives, projects, activities, and foods when possible, is a great way to address any current gaps teachers may see. In addition, multicultural education can stimulate student interest and engagement in the classroom through the feeling or sense of belonging. It is important to utilize diverse and inclusive materials in the classroom so all students feel as though they are a valued part of their classroom and school community.

Importance in Teaching Multicultural Education at All Ages: Why it is Commonly Avoided

The National Association for Multicultural Education (Web Resource)

Are Children Aware of Differences in People? (Video)

Purpose of Mini-Course: Build a Sense of Community and Belonging While Promoting Engagement

What is the Purpose of this Course?

The overall purpose of this to provide educators of any level with multicultural educational resources and experiences. This course was ultimately designed to help teachers create a diverse and multicultural classroom environment for their students through the use of materials, resources and experiences. The benefits and importance of including multicultural and diverse materials include increased student engagement, motivation, tolerance, and respect for others and each other in the classroom.

What is Expected Out of This Course

Any educator that partakes in this mini-course can expect to be exposed to various different multimodal resources that provide insight to the benefits of multicultural learning and how to carrying it out on a regular basis in the classroom. Other things to expect from this course are suggestions and strategies for integrating multicultural experiences and materials.

Needs Assessment: Lack of Resources, Knowledge, Openness, and/or Experiences

Instructional Problem

Educators face many barriers when trying to provide their students with meaningful, engaging, and relevant multicultural experiences for varying reasons. These reasons can range from the lack of access to appropriate or reliable resources, to more personal reasons such as the lack of knowledge and experience on such unique topics. This can trickle over into the classroom environment and that lack of inclusion of diverse materials in turn can cause students to feel devalued in their learning environment.

A major bias surrounding multicultural education is that it is not appropriate for children and may lead to trauma or loss of innocence. This bias can put up a barrier for ones flexibility and openness to other peoples perspectives and experiences.

Performance-Based Objectives

After the completion of this mini-course, participants will be able to...

understand how to integrate and stimulate appropriate discussions based on diverse materials, texts, and resources.

analyze and reflect on their own classroom environment, activities, and materials and determine whether they are accurate representations of multicultural education.

distinguish between reputable sources and biases or stereotypical sources to obtain new and up to date information on inclusion, diversity, correct terminology, and cultures.
identify and recall the ways in which race, ethnicity, and gender, play a role in the classroom and learning.

Goals of this Course

The overall goals of this mini-course are to...

enhance the participants overall multicultural education and awareness as well as how it impacts their classroom, students, and their families.
introduce and expose participants to different ways in which we can educate students about other cultures and the ways they live.

assist in defining 'diversity' and 'multicultural learning.'
address existing stereotypes and biases and how they impact learning.

Goals and Objectives of Multicultural Education (Web Resource)

Task Analysis

Before taking this mini-course, the participant must...

have a foundational understanding of cultural differences and how they can impact learning, engagement, and motivation in the classroom.
be aware of the various popular cultures in their school and classrooms.
establish a sense of openness by being open minded to other perspectives than their own.
recognize that certain cultures may present and engage themselves differently in the classroom compared to other cultures.

Mini-Course Units

Unit 1: Multicultural Literatures

Participants will access the provided resources and links to recognize and interpret ways in which multicultural literature benefits the classroom.
Participants will investigate the different multicultural texts provided and record common themes among the storylines.

After this unit, the participant will...

be able to analyze various different children's literature and evaluate the high quality texts and distinguish them from the lower quality ones.
be able to identify key features and characteristics of quality cultural stories, texts, and perspectives.
be able to show and share with their students the different and relevant cultural texts and literatures.

Unit 2: Multicultural Manipulatives

Participants will access the provided resources and links to construct activities and experiences based on the materials and resources they are provided with.
Participants will construct multicultural engagements based on the different materials and resources they are provided with.

After this unit, the participant will...

be able to identify patterns in which these materials can be utilized on a regular basis in the classroom.
be able to make observations of future student interactions with these materials and the conversations that are stimulated around them.
be able to draw conclusions on the benefits of including such materials in their teaching.

Unit 3: Multicultural Experiences

Participants will access the provided resources and links and recall three new experiences or engagements they can try out in their classroom that they have not already.
Participants will design various activities that allow students to engage in conversation about their our multicultural knowledge and experiences

After this unit, the participant will...

be able to modify past assignments, activities, and experiences to be more culturally inclusive and educational.
be able to connect students to each other through the use of conversation and experience.
be able to distinguish between culturally relevant events and experiences compared to more historical ones.

Curriculum Map

References and Resources

Anya Montessori From The Heart. (2020, November 3). Kids Multicultural Diversity Materials. Montessori From The Heart. https://montessorifromtheheart.com/2020/06/03/kids-multicultural-diversity-materials/

Favorite diversity tools & toys for preschool and kindergarten. Pocket of Preschool. (2020, September 28). https://pocketofpreschool.com/favorite-diversity-tools-and-toys-for-preschool-and-kindergarten/

Goodreads. (n.d.). Multicultural Literature books. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/multicultural-literature

McDonald, A. (2022, July 1). Multicultural Classroom Materials & Diverse Toys for preschool. No Time For Flash Cards. https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2016/12/diverse-toys.html

The National Association for Multicultural Education. Aren’t they too young? - NAME Learn. (n.d.). https://www.nameorg.org/learn/arent_they_too_young.php

The National Association for Multicultural Education. Mission, Goals, & Objectives - National Association for Multicultural Education. (n.d.-a). https://www.nameorg.org/mission_goals_objectives.php