1. National Archives; American Women
This site provided information on 106 unforgettable American women. Their stories are given through an open gallery showcase, historical narratives and biographies. It focuses on their struggles and progresses from colonial times to the year 2000. Some of the women mentioned are:
Abigail Adams, Susan B. Anthony, Lucille Ball, Molly Brown, Amelia Earhart, Hellen Keller and Hillary Clinton to name a few.
Using primary resources would be very valuable in the classroom because with a click of a button you are able to access information on virtually any subject. The dated method of looking up information in the Library is slowly becoming obsolete because the ease of information on the web is so easily accessible. This National Archive website would especially be a valuable primary resource for my classroom. I could use it for supplemental teaching information for History or Social Studies class. My students could use it as a research tool for History class or special project that required research on information found in the National Archives.
2. National Education Association
Student Groups Experiencing Achievement Gaps
Racial and ethnic minorities
English language learners
Students with disabilities
Boys/girls
Students from low-income families
- American Indian and Alaska Natives
- Asian American and Pacific Islanders
- Blacks
- Hispanics
- GLBT
The three ideas that I think would fit my teaching style in becoming a culturally competent educator are listed below.
a) Engage school staff in discussions and activities that offer an opportunity to explore attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence. I like this idea because I feel that the more people we have talking about these issues on a regular basis, the better. If you cautiously and actively collaborate on a particular subject as a group, chances are you will reach thoughtful and innovative approaches to addressing the issues at hand. It would prove to be beneficial if school staff explored the different levels of cultural diversity in each classroom and then proceeded to make an action plan to help alleviate the issues at hand.
b) Identify and include budgetary expenditures each fiscal year to facilitate personnel development through their participation in conferences, workshops, and seminars on cultural competence. I think that having personnel participate in conferences, workshops and seminars on a regular basis would actively keep the issue of cultural diversity as one of the schools top priorities. Incorporating this into the budget would indicate the importance of staying up to date on the latest techniques and policies. This would also help to in leading out in discussions on a regular basis as indicated in idea number 1.
c) Network with parent, family, minority community, and faith-based organizations concerned with the needs of diverse students. Solicit their involvement and input in the design and implementation of initiatives for culturally, linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse groups.
As a school it is important to address all these issues on cultural diversity. It is even more important to incorporate thoughts, ideas and action plans of those in the local community. This shows our students and families the resources outside of school that welcome all cultures regardless of their status. In turn it may give these families a sense of acceptance in our society as well as educate the people of our community on the diverse groups in our area.
3. Stop Cyberbullying I took the quiz for ages 11-13 years old. I was amazed at all the different approaches that lead to Cyberbullying! I would have never thought about most of the actions listed. Maybe that is why I scored as a Cyber Saint! :)
The cyberbullying information for educators was very informative. Instant Messaging 101 made me aware of the fact that kids spend most of their time online doing IM's more than anything else. Because this is such a major form of communication for kids and their peers I would consider having a class on caution and safety measures while Instant Messaging. I also think that by informing students on how to be safe on the internet we can bring out the "Internet Heroes" in them and recognize their efforts to respect others on line. By respecting others on line and using precautionary measures we can also develop "CyberTeenangels" in the classroom. These are "teen" or "tween" volunteers who are certified in cyber crime and abuse. They give presentations to their peers and parents on safe internet use and the precautions we all have to take while using the internet. Utilizing student knowledge and training to teach other students is a fabulous way of providing internet safety education in the classroom.
4. Kathy Schrocks Guide for Educators
Under "Subject Access" I found the Diversity Calendar by the University of Kansas Medical Center. This calendar has a list of world holidays for every month of the year. It is separated by ethnic, national holidays, and religious categories. I think this tool would be extremely helpful in my classroom because it will give me the dates of the holidays that every student in my class might celebrate. Recognizing special holidays through their religion or ethnicity is one way I plan on celebrating each one as a unique individual. It will help lead to further learning as we discover new things about each holiday.
Under "Teacher Helpers" I found several things that I could probably use in the classroom. If I had to narrow it down, I would say it would be between Kathy's Blog and Kathy's Books. Both offer so much information for educators. The blog has ongoing resources such as surveys on twitter and the iPad and links to websites for freebies like online tools. As a new teacher it would be nice to look through some of Kathy's Books as they seem to be a great resource for supplemental curriculum in the classroom.
5. Multiple Intelligences from Edutopia
My Top 3 Intelligences are:
Musical 81%
Intrapersonal 69%
Naturalistc and Bodily Kinesthetic 50%
The Multiple Intelligences Leave No Child Behind video talked about the Key Learning Community, a school that prides itself on giving each child the opportunity to learn outside the traditional method of teaching. Students that do not do well in traditional subjects and forms of learning tend to excel in the elective periods where music, singing, and instruments are used to implement learning. The school and staff focus on developing the students strengths as early as possible. When a student understands his or her strengths he or she can then learn how to move into a career where their strengths will flourish.
6. Teaching Tolerance
Grades 3-5
Subject: Social Studies
Topic: The Color of Freedom
This lesson is based on the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement.
Basically the teacher chose the book "Night Boat to Freedom" as the basis for this lesson. After reading it she developed a vocabulary and phrase list that pertained to the story. She then responded personally to the story as a way to develop higher order thinking questions so that students would become more engaged in the subject. I think all teachers could use this very simple lesson plan in their classrooms because all it really takes is an age appropriate, interesting book to bring a history lesson alive! Most school libraries are a great resource for this lesson plan. If you can't find a book that catches your interest, try the local library.
7. Multicultural Education and Equity Awareness Quiz
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual income for U.S. white men, 25 years or older, who have earned graduate degrees, is $80,000. What are the median annual incomes for Latina and Native American women, 25 years or older, who have earned graduate degrees? $50,000 and $40,000!
Clearly we can see an issue of discrimination here. The form of discrimination is based on gender and ethnicity. If all candidates are equally qualified there should be no reason for the huge discrepancy!
Based on a 2007 report from the Economic Policy Institute, the annual earnings of the average full-time U.S. worker is roughly equal to: the DAILY earnings of a CEO!
Sounds like our U.S. CEO's need to take a closer look at their earnings and compare it to the unemployment and poverty statuses in our own country. They should ask themselves if cutting back on their own salaries would help improve some of the financial crisis our country faces today.
8. Netiquette Guidelines
I scored an 80% on the Netiquette quiz. I think it is very important to teach students about the do's and don'ts of on line communication, aka Netiquette =^D. Their safety depends on it! Perhaps we wouldn't have so many issues like Cyberbullying if more people were cautiously aware of proper netiquette. Adults should also learn the guideline, but it would be best to start in the classroom when they are just learning how to use technology as a form of communication in the cyber world! :^D
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