Transforming Your Curriculum through Multicultural Education So. Washington County January 23, 2006 by Paul C. Gorski
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, This Morning’s Goals Build a deeper understanding of multicultural education as a framework for curriculum transformation. Move from a “heroes and holidays” conception of multicultural curriculum to one grounded in educational equity and social justice. Practice applying multicultural curriculum transformation strategies to sample curricula.
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, Tentative Agenda 1) Warm-up activity 2) Important concepts 3) Stages of multicultural curriculum development 4) Key characteristics of multicultural curriculum 5) Applying multicultural curriculum
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, Warm-Up Calisthenics Standing Crosswalk: The complexities of diversity Contextualizing the curriculum
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, Processing the Calisthenics The complexity of diversity The privilege/repression continuum The experience/reality paradox
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, Important Concepts Multicultural education Curriculum transformation Inclusion/exclusion Equality/equity
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, a. Multicultural Education Key question 3 levels Equity and social justice focus Beyond “celebrating diversity”
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, b. Curriculum Transformation Beyond the additive Completeness & accuracy Content & delivery Relevant across all grades and subject areas
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, c. Inclusion/Exclusion Two levels of inclusion – Representative – Critical Assessment of inclusiveness – As inclusive as the most excluded student experiences it to be
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, d. Equality/equity What is the difference between equality and equity? – Equality: everyone gets the same thing – Equity: everyone gets what they need, recognizing a larger social and historical context of inequality
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, a. Stages of Curriculum Transformation Stage 1 Curriculum of the Mainstream
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, b. Stages of Curriculum Transformation Stage 2 Heroes and Holidays
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, c. Stages of Curriculum Transformation Stage 3 Representational Inclusion
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, d. Stages of Curriculum Transformation Stage 4 Structural Reform
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, e. Stages of Curriculum Transformation Stage 5 Structural Reform with Critical Inclusion
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, f. Stages of Curriculum Transformation Stage 6 Equitable and Multicultural Curriculum
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, a. Characteristics of Multicultural Curricula 1. Delivery Vary instruction Understand power dynamics Challenge “teacher as mastery”
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, b. Characteristics of Multicultural Curricula 2. Content a. Complete & accurate b. Avoid tokenism c. Address multicultural issues
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, c. Characteristics of Multicultural Curricula 3. Materials a. Vary materials b. Examine materials for bias c. Diversify images
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, d. Characteristics of Multicultural Curricula 4. Perspective a. Diversity perspectives b. Diversity lenses (not just from heroes)
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, e. Characteristics of Multicultural Curricula 5. Critical Inclusivity a. Bring in students’ perspectives b. Encourage questions c. Relevancy
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, f. Characteristics of Multicultural Curricula 6. Social/Civic Responsibility a. Social justice consciousness b. Environmental consciousness c. Unexpected activists d. Connect to community issues
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, g. Characteristics of Multicultural Curricula 7. Assessment a. Continuous reflection b. Request feedback c. Know your style
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, Break Time!!! Outwitted He drew a circle that shut me out-- Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout; But Love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in!
Transforming Your Curriculum by Paul C. Gorski, Paul’s Contact Information EdChange site: Multicultural Pavilion: