In reading the first couple chapters of our book and becoming familiar with Brofenbrenner's Social Ecology Model, I have become aware of how much stress can accumulate given the lifestyle needs of some of the children. The Model suggests that the best way to assist these families and students is in helping to foster stronger relationships with the family itself, the family and school, and the family and the community. I started to research some of the best ways to help build up those relationships.
The first section of articles I read about were focused on the relationships that students with disabilities have with their peers. The articles emphasized the importance of the teacher showing acceptance of the child. Several articles also recommend teaching diversity. This can be done simply by addressing the similarities and differences between the different students in the classroom. It may also be helpful to have some classroom visitors of other people with disabilities.
When I think of teaching diversity in the classroom, I like to think of people from all over with many differences. In the classroom where I was this past year, the students were penpals with students in a very diverse school in Virginia. This was a great opportunity for the students to learn about others and hear how their lives were similar and different from the students. I also brought in materials from a trip to China to share with the students. We did many activities that displayed the diversity of life all over the world.
I love the idea of incorporation diversity into the classroom! Also, the idea of relationship is so important to anyone's life, especially a child. Important social and support skills are needed at a young age to serve as building blocks for the future. A professor of mine for Mental Health Issues really emphasized the importance of relationships and encouraged us to talk to people. I like Brofenbrenner's model because it shows how the family, schools, and community effect a child's life. Letting the children experience differences in the classroom will prepare them and hopefully let them see people for who they are.
ReplyDeleteBy incorporating diversity in the classroom the penpal activity is a great way to start! To follow up with this type of activity, but focusing on the diversity of children with disabilities I could share literature and articles with the class to explain disabilities of the classes interest. I would also research to see if there was a volunteer project that the class could do, such as, the Buddy Walk. My family and I did the Buddy walk for my little brother with Down Syndrome. This would be a great way to give the class the feeling of helping others.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's a really great idea to incorporate diversity into a classroom - whether this be through the penpal idea or by bringing in someone that has a disability to talk to the class is a great idea. To let children see that not everyone is the same is a good idea - exposing them to differences lessens the discrimination against other people. I like that you chose to research teaching diversity and diversity in the classroom, great idea!
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