What's this blog about?

I teach several courses under the broad topic of "Multicultural Education," prioritizing social justice issues of access, power/privilege, & narrowing the academic achievement gap. I am a person of color and I almost always have a white co-teacher. We include topics, such as: racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, ethnocentrism, deculturalization, transforming curriculum, etc. This is a place where I post information that we teach; lesson plans for activities; and resources we use and/or which are shared with me by my adult students.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

What is Culture?

Culture Quotes:
It is the acquired pair of glasses through which we see life. - Mbarek A. 
Culture is us. We make it. We shape it as we love it to be. It is a call for individuals to agree upon some common values that bind them in harmony. - Moustafa H.

 The more we know about the cultures of others, the more open-minded, tolerant and global we become. - Samir El A.

Sayings from a culture tell us about that culture's values:
  • Haste makes waste
  • Walk in Beauty
  • Practice what you preach
  • To err is human, to forgive divine
  • Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.
  • Don’t beat around the bush.
  • Time is money.
  • Stand on your own two feet.
  • God helps those who help themselves.
  • You’ve made your bed. Now lie in it.
  • Feed two birds with one bowl
  • Don't speak until spoken to
  • If you can’t say something nice, don't say anything at all.
  • Take time to smell the roses.
  • Turn the other cheek
  • Everyman for himself
  • You should use all the brains you have and all that you can borrow. 
  • If a man works hard, the land will not be lazy
  • Don’t depend on heaven for food, but on your own two hands carrying the load 
Intent vs. Impact
Example of Intent vs. Impact and  Educational lesson gone wrong
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/underground-railroad-reenactment-field-trip-james-sandra-baker-hartford_n_3956232.html

On Explicit Communication Styles
“The Silenced Dialogue”, by Lisa Delpit

Websites:
Teaching Tolerance – Fabulous and free curriculum ideas
http://www.tolerance.org/

Videos
Reconsider Columbus Day 
   
Differently Abled
About a differently limbed man (born w/out arms)
www.upworthy.com/this-guy-is-going-to-show-you-one-of-the-most-important-things-you-can-teach-your-kids-10
Inspiring Wheelchair Basketball Commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgSVBDeqVs4

Example of Culturally Responsive Teaching
Ms. Toliver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRm0aHNVCuk

 Allies
Playing for Change- video on supporting each other  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM
Sportsmanship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaXVk5GBx-s


Inspirational
Boys Playing Soccer in Thailand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4oA3kkAWU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Story of a Star Fish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wuSaNCIde4
Chess Prodigy from Uganda
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/10/world/africa/uganda-chess-teen/index.html
Articles:
Principles of Culturally Responsive Teaching (Brown University)
http://www.alliance.brown.edu/tdl/tl-strategies/crt-principles.shtml
 
“Locating Yourself for Your Students” by Priya Parmar and Shirley Steinberg

 “Showing Students Who You Are” by Heather M. Pleasants

 Watch:
Culturally Responsive Rap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5eKveSnCNE

 7 Principles of Culturally Responsive Teaching
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IptefRjN4DY
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