By encourage deeper knowledge, "relationships can be strengthened, bridged the gap between students from diverse cultural backgrounds" (Marianne Grasso). Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Read on to learn more about the importance of multicultural literacy. 2. 0000001871 00000 n Much of this conflict comes from the relationship with his father and his close friend, Hassan. 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You can read more about the research supporting the use of culturally responsive instruction from the New America Foundation. A young girl named Cartwheel relocates to a westernised country to escape the war that is occurring in her homeland. By choosing the right curriculum, teachers can encourage tolerance. After literary discussions, pupils interact better. It is one of the most valuable qualities. A healthy classroom community is one in which everyone respects, understands, and embraces their differences. Whether characters in the books we read reflect others or ourselves, what is most important is connecting with them in ways that . , Teacher Natalya Gibbs believes that early exposure to diverse literature, elementary literacy specialist Marie Havran, HPs tips for communicating in a virtual classroom, An article on the BBC Future website about reading fiction, This Is Your Class on Zoom: Videoconference Literacies During COVID Quarantine, J. Helen Perkins Named Vice President of ILA Board of Directors, Equity in Education Takes Center Stage at ILA and DSU Event, Delaware 2022 Teacher of the Year to Deliver Keynote, ILA Helps Fund Local Elementary School Library Rehab, International Literacy Association Accept Submission for 2023 Awards and Grants. When urban selections are included, they often depict communities, families, and children from a deficit perspective, rather than presenting authentic and affirming images of urban life." So there is a request for an effective solution. No matter where people live or what language they speak, they have common traits - anxieties, fears, joys and love of family and friends. I had a week to finish the book and write a ten-page paper for my Multicultural Literature class on the effects of colonialism and tourism that Kincaid describes in the book. What is Multicultural Literature? - Lectura Books It also presents an accurate representation of the . Multicultural literature and a diverse classroom library, even at an elementary level, reflects the stories and narratives of those whose voices have not traditionally been heard. It is very important to include multicultural literature in language teaching. Multicultural Literacy serves as an effective tool in enabling students to gain a better understanding of both their own culture and other cultures. Smith, E. (1995). In this context, the role of literature is huge. It assists with. One may be tired or simply not understand the material. Multicultural literature promotes the interaction of children across differing ethnic backgrounds (Steiner et al., 2008). 1. Colorn Colorado is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of bilingual, research-based information, activities, and advice for educators and families of English language learners (ELLs). Like Amir, Okonkwo experiences internal conflict that stems from his relationship to his father. Colorn Colorado is an educational service of WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation's capital, and receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association. Through this deeper knowledge, relationships can be strengthened, bridging the gap between students from diverse cultural backgrounds (Hseu & Hetzel, 2000). Using Childrens Literature and Drama to Explore Childrens Lives in the Context of Global Conflicts. (p. 11). When students vicariously experience the feelings and emotions of others through literature, they are encouraged to look critically at the world and gain a greater understanding of the global community (Monobe & Son, 2014). On our journey, we meet Jos and Ursula's descendants as we watch the citizens of Macondo struggle to hold onto traditions as the world changes around them. The Importance of a Diverse Classroom Library They know how to protect their rights and those of others. The study of these narratives has many advantages. People with different opinions, backgrounds (degrees and social experience), religious beliefs, political beliefs, sexual orientations, heritage, and life experience. 0000002054 00000 n Strong plot and well-developed characters. Okonkwo sees Nwoye's lack of masculinity to blame for his interest in the Christian missionaries who have established themselves near to his village. This compelling story is about a typical Australian family who must flee their country when it is ravaged by war. What is Multicultural Literature and Why the Importance? - Lectura Books This story presents a complete role reversal, as it is Australians who are being displaced. Bena Hefflin developed guidelines for selecting quality multicultural children's literature, and Eliza Braden and Sanjuana Rodriguez provide questions for teachers to examine texts with Latino families and stories of immigration that reflect real experiences. Books written by old white men (with some white women thrown in). __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"d1f3b":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"d1f3b":{"val":"var(--tcb-skin-color-0)","hsl":{"h":2,"s":0.8436,"l":0.01,"a":1}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"d1f3b":{"val":"rgb(55, 179, 233)","hsl":{"h":198,"s":0.8,"l":0.56,"a":1}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, The Importance of Multicultural Literature In Shaping Students Perspectives And Identities. That leads to a tendency to homogenize the . Teamwork and working in harmony with other students are also developing. Multicultural literature can also assist students with their identity formation (Hseu & Hetzel, 2000). Language Arts, 72(8), 571-574. Why Teach Multicultural Literature? | HuffPost Voices Secondly, it's really needed. Rather than highlighting how out of the ordinary a non-white, non . The push for multicultural literature was a direct outgrowth of the Civil Rights movement in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, says an article by the University of Texas (UNT) when describing multicultural literature. Of course, when the time came, there were days when we talked about Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston, and Lorraine Hansberry: the typical black authors that kids learn about in school. Why Multicultural Children's Books Are So Very Important Since diverse books can serve both as mirrors and windows of different human emotions and experiences, they offer a powerful opportunity to build community, increase students' empathy, and push back against bias and prejudice. This book teaches children that they should not be fearful of those who may seem different to them, as their daily lives and routines may be very much the same. At its best, multicultural children's literature helps children understand that despite our many differences, all people share common feelings and aspirations. It just follows works from the literary canon. Global literacy is an understanding of how the world is organized and interconnected, and the opportunities and limitations its peoples face. Accepting and understanding others problems also affect the personal experience. Agosto, D. E. (2007). Have you ever had the experience of seeing yourself reflected in a book? m?l tik?l t?r ?l?z ?m, m?l ta?-. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. We live in a diversified world now. The Importance Of Multicultural Literature | ipl.org They both had fathers who were construction workers and both of their families had to worry about money after a project was completed. Where Are You From? The Importance of Multicultural Literature - Lectura Books These books reveal the hardships that refugees often experience when seeking a place of safety. He is ashamed of his father's laziness and lack of productivity. Image: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lpez. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Each new generation of their family represents the cultural and industrial changes of Macondo from a rural village to a modern town. Please try again. Grace Lin talks about her first picture book, The Ugly Vegetables, and reflects on her own childhood experience as the only Asian girl in her class. These themes are a major focus in the Australian Curriculum, with a general capability strand dedicated to intercultural understanding, which is incorporated throughout each of the key learning areas. It gives readers the opportunity to form different types of sentences, use different structures, and work with different ways of linking ideas. Copyright 2023 WETA Public Broadcasting. Let us begin by first defining some key terms. What is Multicultural Literature and Why the Importance? Themes such as family, belonging and preservation are common to all cultures. Why teach U.S. students literature from different countries? They guarantee that children are exposed to books reflecting culturally varied classrooms. Multicultural Literature: Reflecting Diversity in Literature for Youth. Sometimes I think that because our stories and viewpoints arent being told is why manywhite people have problems understanding our perspectives on things. This text forces students to think critically and consider global issues from a different perspective. " As recently as 2014, only 10% of children's books featured non-white characters. As a result, people are becoming more tolerant and aware. They also provide the opportunity to introduce students to a wide range of diverse stories that reflect different perspectives and experiences both theirs and others. If you are an English major, it is a requirement that you take a few classes on ethnic literature. 1. ), The team at We Need Diverse Books defines diversity as the recognition of "all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities*, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.". Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material ial. Those feelings can include love, sadness, fear and the desire for fairness and justice. An error occurred trying to load this video. People stop being shy about getting. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Anchored in our literature: Students responding to African American Literature. Multicultural Literature: The Impact it has on Today's Students She shares several important reasons why you should incorporate multicultural literature in your classroom. This is extremely important as the UN reported that 1/3 of the world's major conflicts have a cultural dimension to them. "In order to teach effectively, we must gain our students trust by fostering a community in which they feel like they belong. But it was rare that I was able to find books written by Latinx, Asian, African, or Middle Eastern authors in my schools book room. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Importance of Multicultural Literature Multicultural literature offers teachers and students many opportunities to gain a broader understanding about the world, but it also presents challenges, says the journal article " Heightening Awareness about the Importance of Using Multicultural Literature. (2004). Its not rare that students of color often feel underrepresented. In the story, set in Afghanistan and the United States, we follow the journey of our protagonist, Amir, as he struggles to gain the approval of his father, Baba. Through extensive research, Norton (2009) has discovered that when students can relate global events to the themes, conflicts and characterisations found in multicultural literature, it helps them to better understand current world issues. Such an approach benefits society by promoting constructive intergroup relations and socioeconomic equality. They absorb everything. Such literature helps to achieve equality in education and foster cultural pluralism. Educators can create guiding questions that tie characters actions or story plots to what is happening in the world today. It provides rich content for new vocabulary and language structures. blog. This content contains affiliate links. 6, no. She also talks about what happened when she told her classmates she wanted to try out for the part of Dorothy in the school's production of The Wizard of Oz. Books written by old white men (with some white women thrown in). Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. 0000005674 00000 n trailer Themes such as family, belonging, and preservation are common across all cultures. People stop being shy about getting college homework help for any reason. Multicultural literature can help students develop global awareness by introducing them to current cultural issues. Todays students struggle to connect with what they are studying. Read a book about a character who doesnt look like you or live like you. Multicultural literature serves as a powerful tool to enable students to better understand their own culture as well as the cultures of others. Multicultural literature describes how people live in different parts of the world. Teacher librarians should also consider the power play within texts to ensure subservient roles between cultural groups are not illustrated. Multicultural literature includes works with a plot dealing with minority groups. Learning does not stop with the act of completing a book. Multicultural literature is also important because it emphasizes what unites everyone. Mirror books are books that reflect different aspects of students' identity, including: By enabling students to make connections to themselves, mirror books: Author and illustrator Maya Christina Gonzalez talks about why it is so important for all children to see themselves in books and also shares her book My Colors, My World/Mis colores, mi mundo with young readers. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. 0000002960 00000 n Inclusion of multicultural literature in library collections confirm that the beliefs and experiences of minority students are valued (Steiner, 1998). Image: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lpez. How To Bring Inclusive Practices Into Your Classroom, 5 Time-Saving Hacks for Teachers Using ChatGPT and AI, 40 Example Socratic Seminar Questions and How to Plan. *Please see additional information on disability communities on the WNDB website. Challenging their old views and exploring new ideas may give them new perspectives. Unfortunately, not all children's literature sends the messages that we want children to learn. Before I started writing professionally, I was a high school English teacher, reading and teaching the same books I read while in high school. 3. By Bhakti Shringarpure, Contributor The perspective of African, Asian, Native and Hispanic American authors areseparate from an American Literature class. "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors" originally appeared in Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Thats why we need changes. 6v|Z -n8. In recent years, there has been an emphasis to use multicultural literature in the classroom in order to reflect the diverse makeup of a modern classroom. It is through text that they gain insight on cultures that they are not a part of. There is also a tremendous disparity in the publishing industry. Countless students asked why we couldnt read more books and stories by ethnic authors. Multicultural Literature That Brings People Together. With recent global events, it has become increasingly important that students do not become ethnocentric. 0000000016 00000 n Why Diversity is so Important in Children's Books One novel that presents this well is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. What comes along with understanding differences and respect for other cultures? It is in this time of disruption and uncertainty that educators should encourage independent reading, says elementary literacy specialist Marie Havran. Multicultural literature serves as a powerful tool to enable students to better understand their own culture as well as the cultures of others. If so, how old were you when you read that book? In turn, we can learn more about our own cultures and its values. Stories portraying cultural diversity can foster the belief that race is not a barrier, but rather a contribution to the beauty of our multicultural world. Why is it important? The multicultural perspective values the acknowledgment and acceptance of many ethnic groups. Tips for selecting quality multicultural literature for the classroom. Put simply, what is multicultural literature? Huyck, David and Sarah Park Dahlen. However, the same is not expected for white students when it comes to knowing our perspective. The multicultural perspective values the acknowledgment and acceptance of many ethnic groups. A World Together by Sonia Manzano, Sesame Street's "Maria". Crossing Borders: Multicultural Literature in the Classroom. True diversity often means having a boring, normal life and just being an average person. The aim of this application is for students to discover the refugee experience, demonstrating the crisis experienced by millions of people every year. This article is part of our guide to using diverse books with ELLs. Many teachers note a change in the general atmosphere in the classroom. How every year, tourists visit Antigua and countless other countries and only see one side of the people and the culture. As students of the 21st century are global participants, it is important that they possess cultural sensitivity. 0000006131 00000 n succeed. It can help us confront and dismantle harmful or inaccurate stereotypes. Building a multicultural school library: issues and challenges. Her aim was to determine whether student perspectives on diversity and the acceptance of others altered once they were exposed to multicultural texts. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Bishop, Rudine Sims. Why Teach Multicultural Literature? The American school system should focus more on what they could do to have an inclusive reading list. Once multicultural literature is seen as an integral component of the curriculum, libraries and classrooms can become safe arenas for open discussions on culturally sensitive topics (Dietrich & Ralph, 1995). This concept is often referred to as "mirrors and windows" and was introduced by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop in her iconic essay, "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors.". Having students take turns sharing their favorite books and current reads not only introduces the entire class to different authors, genres, and books but also gives you insight into where students are and what they like to read. Our stories are just as important as Fitzgeralds, Hemingways, Whitmans, etc. Dr. Bishop reminds us that a story that seems to be about someone very different than ourselves can provide powerful moments of recognition. This is especially true in the current global situation, because many students learning remotely will have less access to books. Australian primary schools are more culturally diverse now than ever before. Whoever You Are (Fox, 1997) is an older publication that illustrates perfectly how multicultural literature can promote unity among different cultures. By working together to organise units that include culturally-diverse literature, teacher librarians and classroom teachers ensure that multicultural themes are woven throughout the curriculum. The books we use offer a valuable opportunity to bring our students' languages, cultures, histories, and voices into our classrooms. In order to use multicultural literature properly, we must be aware of its importance. The authors of More Mirrors in the Classroom: Using Urban Children's Literature to Increase Literacy note that "Seeing oneself represented in the characters, authors, and illustrators in a classroom and school library can go a long way in making sure we are conveying a message to children that school is for and about them." 0000004533 00000 n It becomes possible by reading and analyzing literature about different customs and contexts. It promotes the acceptance of people of all origins and develops positive relationships among students. Why, for lack of better words, segregate these authors from the American Literature narrative? Children may find power and authenticity in their own identity when they can identify with book characters who are like them. The language barrier may not leave the student-foreigner inspired to write. 0000018483 00000 n It has the ability to nurture respect, empathy and acceptance among all students (Steiner et al, 2008). by Yamile Saied Mndez and Jaime Kim. They are, after all, American, right? I often think back to that day and wonder if his opinion would be different if schools put more multicultural literature in their reading curriculum. Children are like small sponges. Multiculturalism is the coexistence of different cultures, where culture encompasses racial, religious, or cultural groups and is manifested in customary behaviors, cultural assumptions and values, thought patterns, and communication styles. Homepage illustrations 2009 by Rafael Lpez originally appeared in "Book Fiesta" by Pat Mora and used with permission from HarperCollins. This may facilitate deeper connections with the books read and train students on critical thinking and empathy early on. Multicultural Review, 7(2), 20-27. With the state of the world today, reading diverse literature can help us push for changes that go beyond the classroom. My cousin sat across from me and my mother was behind me washing dishes. Diversity can be real or perceived differences between people. Why Teach with Multicultural Books? - Kid World Citizen Lively discussions and activities around their reading can help students process and absorb the lessons taught by the books they encounter. We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) has played a major role in this conversation, starting as a social media campaign and grassroots movement that has shone a spotlight on the importance of diverse books for children and youth. They may also believe the "people like them" do not: Just as the use of mirror books can have a positive impact on students' self-concept in the school setting, a lack of mirror books can have a negative impact.