MULTICULTURAL/ DIVERSE SECOND-GRADE CLASSROOM By: Amber Liebhart

DIVERSITY: Physical Attributes Several bulletin boards in the classroom are used to display the students’ work. Students learn that some physical traits are different. Students are given paper plates to draw their faces, and they include the color of their skin, eyes, and hair. The plates are displayed on the bulletin board. They can see there are many differences.

Handouts are available for individual and group projects. DIVERSITY: Religion Handouts are available for individual and group projects. There are many religions represented in my classroom. Different religions celebrate different holidays. Students are given calendar pages. As the students tell about their religious holidays, students will mark these on their calendar.

DIVERSITY: Language Posters and pictures of children from other countries will be displayed. FOR EXAMPLE: LEARN TO SAY HELLO: FRENCH: Bonjour (bone-joor) HEBREW: Shalom (shah-lome) ITALIAN: Buon giorno (bone-zhee-or-no) SPANISH: Hola (oh-la) LEARN TO SAY THANK YOU: FRENCH: Merci (mehr-see) HEBREW: Toda (toh-dah) ITALIAN: Grazie (gra-see) SPANISH: Gracias (gra-see-us) Students are encouraged to learn about other languages. We can learn about other people by communicating. It will be fun to learn a phrase or two from a different language.

DIVERSITY: Physical Disabilities Desks and activity centers will accommodate wheelchairs. Books and supplies will be located within easy reach. No one will be isolated from the other students. Students with disabilities wish to be normal. Students with physical disabilities will be seated in a clutter-free area. Extra assistance will be provided, when necessary.

DIVERSITY: Family Groups BULLETIN BOARD Every student is a member of a unique family, and all family situations will be represented in the classroom by posters and family pictures. We will discuss different family situations. With proper information comes understanding.

DIVERSITY: Parental Status Patriotism will be displayed throughout the classroom. Pictures of moms or dads in the military will be displayed. Caregivers will be invited to the classroom. Sometimes children deal with parents in the military, parents who are in prison, or parents who are in rehab. These children are cared for by grandparents or other relatives. We will show compassion to all students whose parents are away.

DIVERSITY: Skill Level Student desks will be put in clusters so that no one feels isolated. Children who struggle learn at a faster pace when they are close to the action. In classrooms there are different skill levels. Groups will work together. Students learn more when other students offer assistance. Additional help from specialized school faculty will be available, if necessary.

DIVERSITY: Ethnicity Maps of the world will be displayed to show how far people have traveled to live in this country. Wouldn’t it be terrible? Wouldn’t it be sad? If just one single color was the color that we had? If everything was purple? Or red? Or blue? Or green? If yellow, pink, or orange was all that could be seen? Can you just imagine how dull the world would be If just one single color was all we got to see? Author Unknown Second graders should understand the concept of different ethnic groups. The students will draw a picture with only one color. Then they will draw a picture using several colors. They will discuss which picture is better and why.

DIVERSITY: Economic Status There will be extra supplies stored in my classroom. Every school has students who come from families who struggle financially. These students are very capable, but they cannot buy the supplies they need. Organizations will be contacted to help. No student will be left behind because of a lack of money.

DIVERSITY: Gender The class will have access to all types of toys and activities that both boys and girls will play. Books that express equality will be available also. Society expected children to play with toys based on their gender. Boys would be doctors, girls nurses. Boys would be president, girls their first ladies. No longer are these attitudes accepted. My students are taught that everyone can accomplish anything.

BULLYING Rules against bullying will be posted, videos will be watched, books will be read, and discussions will be held. BULLYING Hurts! HURTS!! This is the most important aspect of my job—teaching tolerance. With the diversity of students in a classroom, it is well known that diversity draws bullying. We, as educators, are the eyes and ears to detect bullying. Starting early to educate these young people about bullying is a major factor in their development as compassionate human beings.

ACCOMODATIONS FOR THE HANDICAPPED Students with physical handicaps will be given adequate space for their equipment, and supplies will be within easy reach. For hearing-impaired students, microphones/headsets will be available, and visual aids will be used. A seat near the teacher will be available. For visually-impaired students, a seat near the teacher and the front of the room will be available. Instructions will be read aloud. All written material will be enlarged. Specialized faculty will be available also.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT It takes parental involvement to educate a child. Weekly newsletters to the parents are helpful. It lets them know what has happened for the week. Hand-written notes, e-mails, and telephone calls to parents add a personal touch. Parents are always welcome to come for meetings or to observe the class.