why is multicultural literature important

0000002374 00000 n hUmL[U~9PR6aQcX%fnKw`l/8\a 1q3EcDq4fs;@zss>y} In addition, WNDB has: The number of diverse books being published and winning awards has continued to increase in recent years. We live in a diversified world now. Featured authors include Erin Entrada Kelly, Gene Luen Yang, Ellen Oh, Hena Khan, Uma Krishnaswami, Grace Lin, and Rukhsana Khan. - Student conducted survey Globalization and multicultural literacy are helpful at all levels. Landt, S. M. (2006). The dialogue in the book should also be considered, as it should accurately represent culturally-specific oral traditions (Landt, 2006). The use of multicultural literature in the curriculum shows students that they are not alone in their world.". As a result, people are becoming more tolerant and aware. SCIS is a business unit of Education Services Australia, Get access to our comprehensive catalogue (and more), The new librarian: leaders in the digital age, The importance of multicultural literature, Information and critical literacy on the web, http://www.asla.org.au/policy/standards.aspx, http://buddies.org/articles/Literature.html. 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. In other words, we can learn about their culture and beliefs. It is normal if you need professional help. They allow students to reflect upon and critically analyse the issue of asylum seekers and the idea of a fairer community. Her aim was to determine whether student perspectives on diversity and the acceptance of others altered once they were exposed to multicultural texts. 634 0 obj Much of this conflict comes from the relationship with his father and his close friend, Hassan. It just follows works from the literary canon. 2.1 Multicultural Literature Helps Readers Be Themselves and Respect Others 2.2 Teachers and Students both Benefit from Reading Multicultural Literature 2.3 Multicultural Literature Constructs Children's Version of the Truth 2.4 Multicultural Literature Prepares Children for a Future in an Increasingly Multicultural World Whether it is teaching children about diversity through a story of acceptance, or focusing on a child's version of real-life events revolving around diversity issues. Even board boards can offer this. Diversity in literature goes beyond ethnicity. Another text that focuses on commonalities is Mirror, written by Jeannie Baker (2010). With the state of the world today, reading diverse literature can help us push for changes that go beyond the classroom. What do teachers achieve by integrating multicultural literature into the curriculum? Accepting and understanding others problems also affect the personal experience. ASLA & ALIA (2004) suggest that an effective teacher librarian provides professional development opportunities for other teaching staff. It works for coexistence in society, communication, and good quality of life. succeed. You have every right to it. How every year, tourists visit Antigua and countless other countries and only see one side of the people and the culture. Retrieved from https://readingspark.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/picture-this-diversity-in-childrens-books-2018-infographic/. Whoever You Are (Fox, 1997) is an older publication that illustrates perfectly how multicultural literature can promote unity among different cultures. Students understand how to behave in a given life situation. I feel like its a lifeline. Multicultural literature includes works with a plot dealing with minority groups. A book that includes people like ourselves as well as those that look different from us presents a more realistic picture to a child. They guarantee that children are exposed to books reflecting culturally varied classrooms. Kids See Themselves in the Pages Stories touch us most when we see ourselves reflected in the characters. We experience the different climate zones, languages and sounds. Books written by old white men (with some white women thrown in). This is the fundamental question at the heart of this encounter. " As recently as 2014, only 10% of children's books featured non-white characters. Sarah Walker has taught special education for the past 7 years. The literature also gives us glimpses of much earlier times. When students see themselves reflected in the pages of literature, they are more likely to engage with a text. I sat at the kitchen table in my grandmothers house in Florida, flipping through the pages of Jamaica Kincaids book A Small Place. One of them A strange psychological effect of multiculturalism as a doctrine or ideology is that it makes people particularly disinterested or insensitive to the ideas or feelings of other people or cultures than their own. Multicultural literature fosters positive self-esteem and prevents students from feeling isolated. Noun. Put simply, what is multicultural literature? 0000019062 00000 n It becomes possible by reading and analyzing literature about different customs and contexts. Multicultural Literature in the Classroom | Teaching New Perspectives Literature introduces people to worlds they have never set foot in, which is why it is so important for classroom libraries to be full of diverse stories that reflect students backgrounds and cultures. We all have our favorite tropes and plots but, at the end of the day, we dislike repetition, as in finding similar characters over and over, throughout literature. Why children's books that teach diversity are more important than ever This study examines the question: how the use of multicultural texts based on family structures influences children's perceptions of family. This is an exciting time to be using diverse books with your students given how many outstanding books are being published and how many people are working to increase students' access to diverse book. Where Is the Black 'Blueberries for Sal? Derived from the Latin word literature, meaning writing formed with letters, literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some cases journalism and song. Why Is Multicultural Education Important? - CLJ 0000018300 00000 n The Importance of a Diverse Classroom Library Every institution should have multicultural literature. Along those lines, when children do not see themselves in the literature they read, or when they encounter negative stereotypes or inaccuracies about their communities in books, they may think that their stories or experiences don't matter. "In order to teach effectively, we must gain our students trust by fostering a community in which they feel like they belong. It eloquently reveals the external differences and inner similarities that define their lives. Globalization and multicultural Competence .. ..is knowledge about cultures and languages. The challenge of connection is trying to find the most inclusive way, to grab the attention, and peak the curiosity and provide a place to . The ideal is that different groups live in a supportive environment free of prejudice and peacefully dealing with each other. The other students caught a glimpse at a culture that was not theirs and they were able to empathize with a member of their community. Until very recently, the vast majority of characters in children's books were white, largely because of what's known as the " publishing diversity gap. Throughout the novel, Marquez takes the reader on a journey through time and frequently shifts between the past, present, and future. It suggests that although people have many differences, there are common traits that unite us. Teaching diversity exposes students to various cultural and social groups, preparing students to become better citizens in their communities. 1. Before I started writing professionally, I was a high school English teacher, reading and teaching the same books I read while in high school. Definition and justification of global literacy . Portraying American identity in childrens picture books. Eric has taught classes in English and Composition and has a Masters Degree in English. by Yamile Saied Mndez and Jaime Kim. Diversity in Childrens Books 2018.sarahpark.com blog. Crossing Borders: Multicultural Literature in the Classroom. What can one get by learning about minority issues? Where are the people of color in children's books? They know how to protect their rights and those of others. This might be a chapter book, a graphic novel, a book in verse, a picture book, or a hybrid book. Using Childrens Literature and Drama to Explore Childrens Lives in the Context of Global Conflicts. m?l tik?l t?r ?l?z ?m, m?l ta?-. Ask students how they felt reading the stories or inquire what they would do if they were in a certain characters shoes. The multicultural perspective values the acknowledgment and acceptance of many ethnic groups. Sadly, upon completing this task, a hurricane wipes out the town and all traces of its existence. 6, no. Why Teach Multicultural Literature? | HuffPost Voices Better Essays 1702 Words 7 Pages Open Document Multicultural literature is a way of increasing cultural awareness. (p. 11). Variety is the spice of life. Let us begin by first defining some key terms. 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. This lack of access is due to a few factors, including, as noted above, a lack of resources for schools, limited awareness of the value of diverse books for all students, and minimal familiarity with the high-quality diverse books that are available to students. Why? Multiculturalism is important because it dilutes the divisions of people and dissolves ignorance . 0000002716 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n The importance of literature is immense, what you learn will change your perception of the world and how you interact with people by using a wealth of literary devices such as tone, mood, and figurative language. (2004). lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Sign up for our Book Deals newsletter and get up to 80% off books you actually want to read. Like Amir, Okonkwo experiences internal conflict that stems from his relationship to his father. What is Multicultural Literature and Why the Importance? *Please see additional information on disability communities on the WNDB website. Also, it may teach exciting things about themselves. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The aim of this application is for students to discover the refugee experience, demonstrating the crisis experienced by millions of people every year. Over time their friendship develops and the young girl helps Cartwheel to understand her new world. Sign up to our new newsletter, The Weekly Planner, full of advice and tips straight to your inbox every week! Such changes have a positive impact on learning achievement and life in general. 0000003603 00000 n Also, it eliminates detachment from ones own culture and rejection of another. Even though more diverse books are being published than ever before: (See the infographic below for a powerful visual representation of this disparity. Okonkwo sees Nwoye's lack of masculinity to blame for his interest in the Christian missionaries who have established themselves near to his village. Window books offer a glimpse into other peoples lives and: Window books also remind readers that their view is not the only view, which is why Dr. Bishop notes in the video clip above that "diversity needs to go both ways," observing that "children who always find their mirrors in booksget a false sense of what the world is like because it's becoming more and more colorful and diverse as time goes on.". Multicultural Education: Importance and Implementation in - LMS Hero 0000011129 00000 n especially for children, to engage with multicultural authors and their endeavor to contribute to the expanse of children's experiences, and to acknowledge the social and cultural relevance of multicultural children's literature today, a critical issues approach to reading multicultural children's literature is more useful. Amir and Hassan are friends even though they are from different social classes, and throughout the novel, we see the cultural importance of friendship, family, and the division of classes in society. 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. No matter what their place of birth, skin color, or sexual preferences are. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. First, it's important because it brings healthy and positive dynamics to our society. It also presents an accurate representation of the . Themes such as family, belonging, and preservation are common across all cultures. 0000003925 00000 n Today, the world is becoming more multicultural. (You can learn more about how WNDB started in our interview with founder Ellen Oh below.). We live in multicultural societies, teach in multicultural settings and our students interact with those who come from different places. What are the characteristics of multiculturalism? Search our growing library of professionally created teacher resources. 6v|Z -n8. Multicultural literature describes how people live in different parts of the world. Teamwork and working in harmony with other students are also developing. Teacher Librarian, 34(3), 27-31. 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. Good multicultural literature does not play into stereotypes but shows an authentic representation of a group. Students also need to read stories that show experiences other than their own to expand their worldview. Anchored in our literature: Students responding to African American Literature. Themes such as family, belonging and preservation are common to all cultures. I highly recommend you use this site! Why Diversity is so Important in Children's Books 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. Teaching one side of a narrative is unrealistic. 0000006131 00000 n It also allows students to be more tolerant and accepting of diversity. A World Together by Sonia Manzano, Sesame Street's "Maria". Instead, all cultures are respected equally. (vii-viii). There can be stress, personal problems, too much work, etc. 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.
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