The Multicultural Classroom

1. 
   Recommend 10 strategies for creating a positive and supportive learning environment in the multicultural classroom.            
2. Develop a personal plan for increasing your knowledge about and experiences with cultural groups that are different than your own. How will you assess your progress at becoming more aware of cultural differences?

A multicultural environment in today's 21st classroom celebrates and appreciates the differences that their students manifest in their classroom. Teachers should teach students to seek the truth in understanding and celebrating the richness that they find themselves surrounded by.

Teachers can prepare their students to be well adapted to the differences they'll find in high school, college and life. Teachers themselves have to learn to see these differences as an advantage to discovering new paths to create unique, personal and effective lessons and classes.

Gender Equality in the Classroom

Identify 5 or more differences between male and female students in the way that they approach learning.       

There are several differences regarding male and female students when considering learning styles.  From an early age, parents are told to engage in mutual gazing with their infant as it was thought necessary for proper development. As it turns out, this is more important to female infants that to male infants (Source 2) and how a child optimally develops depends on their gender until the age of 5.  although the implications that gender have on girls and boys learning styles do exist, the environment and culture can have a greater influence beyond infancy in childrens' lives and into adulthood.

Addressing Religion and Evolution in the Classroom

Explain how religion influences the value and expectation that parents place on schools:

What was once a melting pot is now being replaced with a salad bowl, where each ingredient represents a different cultural and ethnic background. These groups are also strongly characterized by religion. Today, religious diversity is as visible in society as slices of tomatoes on greens.  

Separation of Church and State frees public schools from religions doctrine. However, schools will be influenced by the community that they serve. These communities are often constructed around a religious congregation.  Parents may expect the curriculum to be aligned with their beliefs, to not contradict them or to omit content that they do not agree with.