Sample Teacher Checklist for Addressing Multiculturalism
Balanced representation does not just happen. It needs to be
planned for and attended to through learning resources, teaching and learning
processes, along with student and teacher behaviours. This sample checklist
is intended to help teachers plan for wellness units that address various
cultures and attempt to provide affirming and inclusive environments for all
students.
In this unit, I plan to provide students with the opportunity
to:
___ deepen respect for their own cultural/ethnic identity (in
order to enable students to honour and respect the cultures of others), for
example, by:
- establishing contacts within their own community
- learning about their own history
___ continue to deepen understanding of the meanings of “respect”
and demonstrate abilities to show genuine respect for all persons, for example,
by:
___ enhance their willingness and ability to cross ethnic and
cultural boundaries to participate in and/or learn about different cultural
and ethnic groups in respectful ways and in consideration of protocols, for
example, by:
___ experience a classroom environment that is culturally affirming,
for example, by:
-
using resources (e.g., oral, print, and other media texts)
that reflect various cultural backgrounds and perspectives
-
using culturally appropriate praise and rewards
-
understanding that there are culturally appropriate ways
to demonstrate success
-
building on students’ prior knowledge and life
experiences
___ experience an inclusive climate in the school and community,
for example, by: