Chapter 4

What?

Chapter 4 is all about differences among students of diverse culture and ethnic groups. As teachers we can best help students learn, develop, and thrive when we understand the fundamental assumptions and conventions that underlie their behavior. Teachers need to be able to treat students with equity- freedom from bias or favoritism. Students may come from very diverse cultures and the expectations that are placed upon them at home may be very different and even conflicting to those expectations place upon them at school. Things such as personal space, waiting vs interrupting, performing in public, teasing each other, cooperation vs competition, and conceptions of time may be viewed differently in their home culture than the expectations that we have for them at school. It's very important for teachers to be aware and understand diverse cultural views in order to better understand the students and what's happening in their lives.
So What?
As teachers this chapter is important because we need to be able to teach all of our students. We need to be careful not to place unnecessary labels upon our students. We can also better reach all of our students by being understanding and attentive to their needs. By understanding their differences we can talk to those students one-on-one and come up with a plan that best works for them and will allow them to succeed.
Now What?
As I go into the classroom, I need to be mindful and sensitive to the diverse students in my classroom and their needs. I may need to study up on their cultures in order to best understand them and know how I am best able to help them.