1. Multicultural Children’s Literature and Diversity Education Lutheran Educator’s Conference Austin, Texas 2012

2. Welcome to diversity! What’s your definition of diversity? Diversity outside of school –Equal opportunity... schools, employers, housing How were we trained in diversity? Multicultural Diversity in Schools Multicultural Diversity in Schools

3. Our Schools A school like yours.A school like yours. LCMS Schools - White 82% Black 7% Hispanic 5% Asian 3% Other 3% Asian 3% Other 3% Public SchoolsPublic Schools

4. Texas Ethnicity Figures

5. Future Projections

6. The Need for Awareness Classroom Issues.Classroom Issues. –Racism –Racial slurs –IGNORANCE –Professional training What happens at your school?What happens at your school? Other forms of diversity.Other forms of diversity. -Subcultures Diversity that maybe off-limits. Sexual orientation Alternative lifestyles

7. The Research Support 2050 – American population projection:2050 – American population projection: –50% white; 25% Hispanic Elementary-age children are naturally disposed to wonder about people who are different than them.Elementary-age children are naturally disposed to wonder about people who are different than them. For better or for worse, teachers tend to intervene first in racial situations.For better or for worse, teachers tend to intervene first in racial situations. How comfortable are you with diversity?How comfortable are you with diversity? “The main goal of awareness is to make sure that the students have accurate and appropriate attitudes, opinions, and assumptions about culture.” Wasson, Jackson 2002“The main goal of awareness is to make sure that the students have accurate and appropriate attitudes, opinions, and assumptions about culture.” Wasson, Jackson 2002 –Dixey & D’Angelo. Using multicultural resources for teachers to combat racial prejudices in the classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, Winter 2001. –Wasson & Jackson. Assessing cross-cultural sensitivity awareness: a basis for curriculum change. Journal of Instructional Psychology. December 2002.

8. Multicultural Diversity Unit Literature CirclesLiterature Circles –Multitude of books to use Reading WorkshopReading Workshop –Nancie Atwell model: In the MiddleIn the Middle ArtArt MusicMusic

9. Multicultural Artwork – Asian Fans

10. African Tribal Masks

12. Native Cuna of Panama

14. A Wealth of Literature Some important authors:Some important authors: –Ezra Jack Keats- Mildred D. Taylor –Walter Dean Meyers- Christopher Paul Curtis –Pam Munoz Ryan Important resources to look for:Important resources to look for: –Newbery, Caldecott, and National Book Awards –Coretta Scott King Award – –Coretta Scott King Award – Established in 1970, to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African American authors and illustrators. – established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. –Pura Belpre Award - established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. – –Sources: www.ala.org (American Library Association)www.ala.org

15. No distortions or omissions of history. Look for various perspectives to be represented. Stereotyping. There are no negative or inaccurate stereotypes of the ethnic group being portrayed. Loaded words. There are no derogatory overtones to the words used to describe the characters and culture, such as "savage," primitive," "lazy," and "backward." Lifestyles. The lifestyles of the characters are genuine and complex, not oversimplified or generalized. Dialogue. The characters use speech that accurately represents their oral tradition. Standards of success. The characters are strong and independent. The role of females, elders, and family. Women and the elderly are portrayed accurately within their culture Possible effects on a child's self-image. There is nothing in the story that would embarrass or offend a child whose culture is being portrayed. Author's and/or illustrator's background. The author and/or illustrator have the qualifications needed to deal with the cultural group accurately and respectfully. Illustrations. The illustrations do not generalize about or include stereotypes of a cultural group and it's people. Relationships between characters from different cultures. Minority characters are leaders within their community and solve their own problems. Heroines and Heroes. Heroines and heroes are accurately defined. Copyright date. During the mid- and late 1960's most books on minority themes were written by white authors and reflected a white, middle-class, mainstream point of view. Multicultural Literature Evaluation

16. Let’s give it a try! Pick a partnerPick a partner Choose a bookChoose a book ReadRead React Things to be thinking about:Things to be thinking about: –Connections: Personal, textual, world-view –Something new you have learned –New questions you have

17. Our Results –Connections? –Personal stories? –Relevance in your classroom? –Unit planning? –Library selections?

18. Discussion How might you use something like this?How might you use something like this? Is it relevant for your classroom/school?Is it relevant for your classroom/school? What sort of resources do you have?What sort of resources do you have? Questions?Questions?