You are Just Like Me!

“Introducing our students to multiculturalism”

By: Tina L. Brewer

July 3, 2008
What is multiculturalism?
• The dictionary defines it as: “of or
relating to a social or educational
theory that encourages interest in
many cultures within a society rather
than in only a mainstream culture
(http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/multicultural).
So what does that mean to you?
– It means that you should:
• Care for one another
• Respect one another
• Educate each other (on differences)
• Accept others for who they are
• Treat others as you want to be treated
• Equal opportunities
• Share with each other
 Why do we need it?
• Because the U.S has many types of
people living here

Asian pacific
Berlin
Central American African American
South American

Russian American
European American
Native American
• To correct negative stereotypes or
bad thoughts about people

This ad was a
product of its time
(1957), not only did
it depict Native
Americans in a
negative way but it
was a national
campaign for a
company that is still
popular today!
• So that teachers can help shape how
students view and respond to the
world by creating a learning
environment that provides equity,
reflects and embraces the diversity
in which we live
Who should practice
multiculturalism?
EVERYONE!
When should you practice
multiculturalism?
• Multiculturalism is an
activity that can be
practiced daily.
• You should strive to do
something everyday to
include others
– Ex 1: learning to
correctly
pronounce your
classmate’s name
– Ex 2: including
everyone in a game
on the playground
regardless of their
race or gender
Common Myths of Cultures
• Myth # 1: Other cultures should be presented as having different
lifestyles versus the lifestyle of the dominant culture.

*FALSE: In doing so you create a “we” vs. “them” concept.

Children who are not able to identify with another culture
because of differences will often feel superior or inferior to
the culture. A multicultural program can focus on the
presentation of other cultures, but at the same time allow
children to be aware of the nature and uniqueness of their
own culture. Children can learn about their class as an example of
a common culture. Teachers can emphasize how other classes
can be similar and yet different.

(http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)
• Myth # 2: Speaking more than one language
(bilingualism) does more harm than good.

*FALSE: Recent studies suggest that, all other

things being equal, higher degrees of bilingualism are
associated with higher levels of cognitive attainment.
It is evident that the duality of languages per se
does not hamper the overall language proficiency or
cognitive development of bilingual children (Hakuta &
Garcia, 1989).

(http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)
• Myth # 3:Multicultural education is only needed
in classes with students who belong to the
cultural or racial groups being studied.

*FALSE: Our world is multicultural, and children need to

experience the diversity outside their immediate
environment. If children are to know about minority
groups, they must be taught about them in the same way
they are taught about majority groups. Otherwise,
children can grow to adulthood unaware of, and
insensitive to, the experiences of other cultural groups.

(http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)
• Myth # 4: There should be a separate, set of
goals and class work for multicultural education.
*FALSE: Since we have a many cultures in our world, it is
impossible, to teach about all of them. Goals and curriculum will
differ from class to class. Children who are taught to
appreciate and understand their own culture learn to
understand others' cultures in the process.

The appropriate curriculum for understanding America's

diverse cultures is a multicultural curriculum taught within a
developmental framework. It promotes recognition,
understanding, and acceptance of cultural diversity and
individual uniqueness. This curriculum is based in concepts such
as cultural pluralism, intergroup understanding, and human
relations. It is not restrictive or limited to a specific course,
set of skills, or time of year.

(http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)
• Myth # 5:
Activities do not have to be
placed in a cultural context and
explained thoroughly.

*FALSE: All activities should be

accompanied by details that explain
their cultural context. Activities should
always be chosen on the basis of grade
level and the age of the child.
(http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm)
 Multiculturalism Activity
• Activity Name: World Passport

– Purpose: To Teach children the concept of "Around the World" with this
project. You may want to take more that one week to accomplish the project. 

– Materials: Blank booklet and a stamp for each country.

– Description: Teachers and students can decide which

countries your class will visit. Example: Russia, China,
Mexico, Egypt and United Kingdom.  Use a sheet of
paper in your booklet for each country and research facts
through books, internet and guest speakers (if time permits). 
Write down important facts and when you done, make "stamps"
from each country (Ex: Egypt = Pyramid) and allow the children
to glue them at the bottom of pages in their booklets.

– The student will also need to write facts or interesting bits of

information about each country in their booklets.

– Once the week is up, go through the passports allow each student or group of
students choose a country and plan a “Round the world” party. Each child is
dressed like the people from one of the countries visited and native foods are
made and native games are played.

• (http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/multicultural.htm)
 Conclusion
• As our country continues to become more diverse, the need
for understanding and accepting the differences among all
people has never been more important.
• The challenge for educators is to present an effective
multicultural education foundation by means of which all
children can learn to accept others.
• The goal of multicultural education is not only to teach
children about other groups or countries. It is also to help
children become use to the idea that there are many
lifestyles, languages, cultures, and points of view.
• The purpose of multicultural curriculum is to attach positive
feelings to multicultural experiences so that each child will
feel included and valued.
 References
• http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/multicultural
• http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-5/perspective.htm
• http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/multicultural.htm